This Is Your Time (CD - 1999)

Personnel includes: Michael W. Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, programming); Chris Rodriguez (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Chris Graffignino, Mark Baldwin (acoustic & electric guitars); Wes King (acoustic guitar); Jay Dawson, Mike Orrick, Greg Cutliff (bagpipes); Hunter Lee (Illyan pipes); Bryan Lenox (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Matt Pierson, Craig Young (electric bass); Raymond A. Boyd, Eric Darken, Scott Williamson (drums, percussion); Joanna Carlson, Lisa Bevill, Bonnie Keen, Mark Pogue, Nik Kershaw, Natalie Grant, Darwin Hobbs, Tiffany Palmer, John Elefante, Duawne Starling, Angela Cruz, Gale Mayes West (background vocals).

Recorded at Deer Valley & The Sound Kitchen, Franklin, Tennessee.

THIS IS YOUR TIME was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Chris Rodriguez, Mark Baldwin, Chris Graffagnino (guitar); Hunter Lee (pipe); Jay Dawson, Greg Cutcliff, Mike Orrick (bagpipe); Michael Smith (piano, keyboards, programming); Bryan Lenox (keyboards, drums, percussion, programming); Eric Darken, Raymond Boyd, Scott Williamson (drums, percussion); Chris Eaton, Joanna Carlson (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Bryan Lenox.

Michael W. Smith's 13th studio album This Is Your Time features more of the accessible, contemporary Christian rock that has won him a large and increasingly secular audience. Songs like "Hey You It's Me," "I Will Carry You," and "I Will Be Your Friend" blend guitar and synth flourishes with Smith's charismatic vocals, while hook-laden tracks like "Worth It All" and "Everybody Free" demonstrate why his audience continues to expand into the mainstream pop arena. ~ Heather Phares

THIS IS YOUR TIME is Christian hit-maker and two-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith's 13th studio effort. The singer found his inspiration for the collection in part from the Columbine High School massacre that took place in April 1999. Throughout, the singer urges listeners to make the most of their lives, and to live boldly despite the knowledge that the gift of life can be snuffed out at any time.

The album-opener, "Rince De," with its Celtic undercurrents, calls to mind verdant visions of wind-swept Irish coastlines. A seamless transition is then made to the fist-pumping "Hey You It's Me," is which the singer reminds Christians of the restorative power of their faith and the omnipresence of God. "I Will Be Your Friend" will remind Smith's fans of his chart-topping "I Swear." But what's most appealing about THIS IS YOUR TIME is that Smith couches his inspirational message in terms that are secular enough to allow music lovers of all faiths to enjoy this collection. minimize