Celebrating the Music of Michael W Smith – 35 Years of Friends

Over 35 Artists Will Celebrate 35 #1 Hits and the 35th Anniversary of “Friends”

Nashville, Tenn. – With over 45 Dove awards, three Grammy awards, and an American Music award, Michael W. Smith has forever enshrined his mark in the music history books. Smith garnered yet another Grammy nod last Friday with a nomination for ‘Best Contemporary Christian Music Album’ for his latest worship effort, ‘Surrounded.’

In a once-in-a-lifetime tribute event, promoted by Outback Concerts and produced by Tony Conway of Conway Entertainment Group, friends and fellow musicians will pay tribute to Smith on April 30, 2019, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Celebrating his remarkable 35-year career will include Amy Grant, Bob Goff, Brian Littrell from the the Backstreet Boys, CeCe Winans, Chonda Pierce, Danny Gokey, Donnie McClurkin, Francesca Battistelli, The Gatlin Brothers, The Isaacs, Jars of Clay, Jason Crabb, Jim Brickman, Jordan Smith, Jordin Sparks, Justin Flom, Laura Story, Lee Greenwood, Mac Powell, Matt Maher, Matthew West, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Newsboys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Phillips, Craig and Dean, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, Russ Taff, Sandi Patty, Scott Hamilton, Vince Gill, Wayne Kirkpatrick and the Original MWS Band, Wynonna and more to be announced soon.

Dubbed ‘35 Years of Friends: Celebrating The Music of Michael W. Smith,’ music lovers will experience over 35 artists, from all genres, performing a set list to include many of Smith’s 35 #1 hit singles. In addition, 2018 marks the 35th Anniversary of Smith’s Top 10 single “Friends,” which helped introduce his music to both secular and non-secular audiences. Smith once again shared the song with the world when he performed it at the Washington, D.C. memorial service for his dear friend, President George H.W. Bush, last Wednesday.

“Michael is a Christian music icon and we can think of no better way to celebrate him than with this star-studded lineup we have put together,” says Outback Concerts’ Morgan Carney. “It’s going to be an event not to be missed, and will be a fantastic celebration of one of the greats.”

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Michael for over thirty years,” said John Huie, Head of Music at CAA in Nashville. “I’ve seen his music impact people from all walks of life – from Presidents to pedestrians. This celebration of his contributions to music and the impact of the song ‘FRIENDS’ will be very special. It’s been fun watching it come together as so many artists from all genres are anxious to celebrate Michael and his music. An event like this is a first for a Christian artist – and it’s going to be great!”

“Putting a tribute event together can be a tremendous amount of work, unless you are doing a tribute to Christian superstar Michael W. Smith,” said Tony Conway (Conway Entertainment Group/Ontourage). “I have been a fan and follower of his music and mission in life since he started performing. Every single artist that his manager Chaz and I talked with said yes right away. It is an honor to work alongside Michael, Chaz and the promoter, Mike Smardak of Outback Concerts. One thing we can all promise, and that is this will be a very special, one night only concert, with lots of surprises and magical collaborations.”

Tickets go on sale at 10 am (CT) Friday, December 14 at all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena.

Michael W. Smith Sings “Friends” at Funeral for President George H.W. Bush

In one of several tear-jerking moments during the funeral for President George H.W. Bush, Christian singer Michael W. Smith sang his signature song “Friends”.  The performance video is at the bottom of the page, and a complete story from Trevor Decker.com is below.

Christian Artist Michael W. Smith Performs at George H.W. Bush Funeral

Contemporary Christian music legend Michael W. Smith performed at the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush on Wednesday. Smith whose career spans decades is a pioneer in Christian music and a friend of the Bush family for decades. He performed his song “Friends” which emphasizes trust in God’s will for your life even when you don’t understand it. The song has often been used at funerals. Smith released the song which he co-wrote with his wife in 1987. The song was written for a friend who was moving away to serve in ministry.

Smith recalled seeing President Bush for the last time a mere three months before he passed away.

“As we were leaving, we just gave him a hug and said ‘We love you. We love you, so good to see you,” Smith told CBN News. “And about the time we were leaving, he put his finger in the air and had that sparkle in his eyes and said: ‘Friends are friends forever.’ Deb and I walked out of there thinking this might be the last time that we see him.”

Two Heroes From “The Greatest Generation” George Bush and Bob Dole

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. To me, this pictures speaks volumes of “The Greatest Generation”. While they had been political allies and rivals, it was their service to our country that brings a smile to my face.

This week, with the passing of President George Bush, we have heard quite a bit of information about him flying numerous combat missions and about the time he was shot down by the Japanese, during WW II.

Bob Dole served on the other side of the globe during WW II. He suffered permanent injuries when he was hit by German machine gun fire near Castel d’Aiano in the Apennine mountains southwest of Bologna, Italy.

When I look at the picture above, there are several things that come into my mind.

First is that there is an American patriot and hero laying in State in a coffin covered by a flag that both Bush and Dole sacrificed greatly for.

Next, I see another American patriot and hero being helped to stand out of his wheelchair.

Also, you see a left-handed salute (salutes are to be given with the right hand). You see, Dole can not salute with his right hand due to the injuries mentioned earlier.

Bob Dole paid the ultimate respect between two veterans, first by standing when it is nearly impossible for him to do at this point in his life, and then rendering a salute the only way possible – with his left hand.

This is a very proud moment in American history and a memory that I have that will last a lifetime.

Ed Boston

Bob Dole

 

 

Paying Honor and Respect To President George H. W. Bush

Later today on a special edition of the weekly Ed Boston Podcast, we will be paying honor to the 41st President of the United States – George Herbert Walker Bush. Below are several links that we will be using on this special podcast.

George HW Bush Honor

George H.W. Bush, ‘Kinder and Gentler’ President, Dies at 94

10 Things to Know about George H.W. Bush

George H.W. Bush, the dad: A look at his family life

George H.W. Bush’s service dog, Sully, is honored: ‘Mission complete’

Memories of Former President George H.W. Bush with the Grahams

Remembering Former President George H.W. Bush

George H.W. Bush to lie in state in US Capitol

 

Ed Henry From Fox News Remembers President George H. W. Bush On The Ed Boston Podcast

George Bush Arrives in Heaven

Friend of the podcast, Ed Henry from Fox News returns to the podcast to help us remember the life of President George H. W. Bush. Listen to the interview “On Demand” by clicking this link to iHeartRadio.

Here is Ed’s bio from FoxNews.com:

Ed Henry currently serves as Fox News Channel’s (FNC) chief national correspondent. He joined the network in June 2011 and is based in Washington, D.C.

Most recently in 2018, Henry earned widespread praise for his hard hitting interviews with campaign advisor for President Donald Trump Katrina Pierson, and then-Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Scott Pruitt. Additionally, he provided live coverage from Helsinki, Finland during President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladmir Putin.

During the 2016 election, Henry reported on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton while covering the campaign trail and making national headlines for his questioning during a news conference. Throughout his tenure at FNC, Henry has covered all major news stories involving President Barack Obama and his administration as FNC’s chief White House correspondent.

Previously, he covered the 2013 government shutdown and the National Security Administration (NSA) leaks involving the former NSA government contractor Edward Snowden and the NSA’s wide-ranging surveillance activities, the 2012 presidential election where he was on the campaign trail with President Barack Obama and the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11th, 2012. Additionally, Henry has interviewed former President Bill Clinton on Nelson Mandela’s legacy after his death in 2013 and former Israeli President Shimon Peres about Iran’s nuclear program. Henry served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association from 2012-2013.

Prior to joining FNC, Henry was at CNN from 2004-2011 where he served as the network’s senior White House correspondent and congressional correspondent. Additionally, he began his career working as a Senate correspondent at Roll Call for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jack Anderson and later became a senior editor there. Henry also served as the chief political analyst for WMAL-AM (ABC) and a contributing editor at Washingtonian Magazine. Previously, he was a political analyst at C-SPAN and WUSA-TV (CBS 9).

The recipient of numerous journalism honors, including the Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress and the White House Correspondents Association’s Merriman Smith Award for excellence in presidential coverage under deadline in 2008.

Henry graduated from Sienna College with a B.A. in English.

 

Heroes Killed in Afghanistan Named

We would like to ask those who read this post here on EdBoston.com to join with us as we pray for the memory of these brave heroes as well as comfort for their families and loved ones.

 

US servicemen killed in Afghanistan bomb attack identified

The Pentagon on Wednesday released the names of three servicemen killed a day earlier in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Army Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross, age 29, of Lexington, Virginia; Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Michael Emond, age 39, of Brush Prairie, Washington; and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin, age 25, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania. died of injuries sustained in the attack in Afghanistan’s central Ghazni Province, southwest of the capital, Kabul.

You can read the complete story by clicking on this FoxNews.com link.