Todd Smith (singer)

Last updated

Todd Smith
Birth nameJames Todd Smith [1]
Genres CCM, Christian rock
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1997–present
Labels Curb
Website toddsmithonline.wordpress.com

James Todd Smith (who goes by Todd Smith) is an American singer and founding member of the contemporary Christian music band Selah. He remains an original member since its founding in 1997.

Contents

Early life

Smith grew up the son of missionaries in Zaire, Africa (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) in a home built by his grandparents, who had been missionaries to the continent since the 1930s. His grandfather worked as a dentist in the United States before moving to Zaire. Smith's father was born in Africa, but later moved to Detroit, Michigan. Both Smith's grandparents died in Africa. [2]

Smith's family home burned to the ground when he was five. After the fire, his father felt a call to the mission field of Africa. Smith's father moved his mother, three siblings, and himself from Detroit, Michigan, to Africa. His family remained there for the next eight years. [2]

Smith has remarked that he never questioned his Biblical teaching. [3] Smith gives credit for his music career to his missionary upbringing. "I've been singing in front of people since I was three," he said. "My parents are missionaries. When we came back to the United States, we had to visit each church that sponsored us. That was a good training ground." [4] Smith is married to Angie Smith and they have four daughters. They had one other daughter named Audrey, who was born in April 2008 and died a few hours later due to cardiac issues. [5] Angie has written two books, I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy [6] and What Women Fear: Walking in Faith that Transforms. [7]

Recording career

Selah was originally formed by brother and sister, Todd and Nicol Smith, along with friend Allan Hall. Smith also worked on a solo project. His debut album Alive was released on August 10, 2004 with Curb Records. [8] The album steered from the common sound Selah offered, better known for well integrated harmonies, singing hymns and melodic ballads. A passion for the sound of rock music was more of what Smith had in mind when working on this album. Bands such as Boston, Foreigner, Journey, and Genesis influenced the sound in Alive. This has been his only solo release to date. [9]

Smith continues to work with Allan Hall and Amy Perry, current members of Selah. Their most recent album, Hope of the Broken World, was released on August 23, 2011 with Curb Records. He recorded the solo song "Broken Praise" on the various artists compilation album Music Inspired by "The Story" and the album won the "Special Event Album of the Year" on the 43rd GMA Dove Awards in 2012. He performed the song on the awards show. [10] Smith wrote a song called "I Will Carry You" after Audrey Caroline died. "I Will Carry You" is dedicated to the memory of Audrey Caroline Smith.

Discography

Solo albums

YearAlbum
2004Alive
2016There's a Light

Albums with Selah

YearAlbum
1999 Be Still My Soul
2001Press On
2002Rose of Bethlehem
2004Hiding Place
2005Greatest Hymns
2006Bless The Broken Road - The Duets Album
2007Timeless: The Selah Collection
2009You Deliver Me
2010Look at You Loving Me
2011Hope of the Broken World
2014You Amaze Us
2016Greatest Hymns, Vols. 1 & 2
2017Unbreakable
2019Firm Foundation
2020Step into My Story

Compilation contributions

ReleasedSongAlbum Label(s)
September 23, 2011Broken Praise Music Inspired by The Story EMI Christian Music


March 1 2024 Goodness and Mercy Lee Park Worship

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References

  1. ↑ "Todd Smith". Christianmusiclighthouse.com. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Sunday Evening Praise. http://sundayeveningpraise.net/praise/selah.htm
  3. ↑ The Fish
  4. ↑ The News-Sentinel Archived January 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Reported By Dennis Ferrier (May 13, 2009). "Nashville news story on baby Audrey Caroline: Woman carries child she knows will die". Benotafraid.wordpress.com. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  6. ↑ Smith, Angie (2010). I will carry you : the sacred dance of grief and joy. Nashville, Tenn. ISBN   978-0805464283.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ↑ Smith, Angie (2011). What women fear : walking in faith that transforms. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group. ISBN   9780805464290.
  8. ↑ Curb Records. http://www.curb.com/artists/artistbio_T1.cfm?ID=154
  9. ↑ "NEWS: Selah's Todd Smith Chronicles Hope And Healing In 'THERE'S A LIGHT' August 26". The Gospel Music Association. August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  10. ↑ "'The Story' wins Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year". World Vision. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
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