Martin Smith (English musician)

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Martin Smith
MartinSmith.jpg
Martin Smith performing at the Big Church Festival at Wiston, West Sussex in 2022
Background information
Birth nameMartin Smith
Born (1970-07-06) 6 July 1970 (age 54)
Origin Woodford Green, London, England
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active1992–present
Labels
Website martinsmith.tv

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is an English vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer, best known as the frontman of the Christian rock and worship band Delirious?. He has been a solo artist since Delirious?' disbandment in 2009.

Contents

Career

Before becoming a full-time musician, Smith was a sound engineer at ICC studios in Eastbourne. In 1992, Smith—along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp—formed The Cutting Edge Band (Delirious?' former name). [1]

In 1995, Smith and his wife were involved in a near-fatal car accident, and during the weeks of his recovery, he decided to become a professional musician. This inspired him to write the song "August 30". In 1996, the band—now known as Delirious?—became a full-time endeavour, producing songs such as "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", and "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?". In 2009, the band announced a break at the end of the year to focus on things close to them. Smith said that he wanted to spend time with his family and devote more time to the CompassionArt project, [2] headed by himself and his wife. [3] Delirious? released a various artists album in January 2009, with Smith appearing on three tracks, and the group later confirmed that they were disbanding permanently after a final concert in November 2009.

In 2012 and 2013, Smith independently released four EPs, titled God's Great Dance Floor: Movements One through Four. The title track was co-written with Chris Tomlin. In 2013, he released his first full albums God's Great Dance Floor Step 01 and God's Great Dance Floor Step 02, each containing the songs from the four EPs, plus new tracks.

Smith has also collaborated with the other members of Delirious? on the 2007 book I Could Sing of Your Love Forever: Stories, Reflections and Devotions. [4] In 2011, he released his autobiography, Delirious: The Autobiography of Martin Smith. [5]

Personal life

Smith has been married to Anna since 1994, and is part of St. Peter’s Church in Brighton, England. [6] She is sister to Delirious?' former bass player Jon Thatcher. [7] Martin and Anna have six children. [8] Their daughter Elle Limebear is a worship singer.

Discography

As a solo artist

With Delirious?

With Delirious? and Amy Grant

With Delirious? and Hillsong

With Delirious? and André Valadão

With Stu Garrard

With Matt Redman

With Graham Kendrick

With Darlene Zschech

With Michael W. Smith

With Taylor Sorenson

With Jars of Clay

With Tim Hughes

With CompassionArt

With Israel Houghton

With Parachute Band

With Jesus Culture

With LZ7

With Army of Bones

References

  1. ↑ "About: Biography". Delirious?. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "The end of an era". Delirious? (Press release). 6 July 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  3. ↑ Tear Times, Tearfund, Spring 2010, p.30.
  4. ↑ "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever: Stories, Reflections and Devotions". Christian book.
  5. ↑ Smith, Martin; Borlase, Craig (4 October 2023). Delirious: The Autobiography of Martin Smith. David C. Cook. ISBN   978-1-43470237-1.
  6. ↑ "About". Martin Smith Music. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "Delirious.org.uk – FAQ – The Band". delirious.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "The Real Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Delirious? That Is". Christian Post. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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