This Kenova (Wayne County) native is a highly successful Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) singer, songwriter, and producer. After briefly attending Marshall University, he moved to Nashville to start his music career. He released his first album, The Michael W. Smith Project, in 1983. His 1990 song "Place in this World" became a top 10 hit. In 1992, he was named New Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. His song "Friends" was named the number-one Christian song of all time in 1998. He has recorded many duets with famous singers like Carrie Underwood and Amy Grant.

Smith has sold over 18 million albums and has had 35 number-one songs. He has won three Grammy Awards and 40 Dove Awards (awards for Christian music). He has been active in charity and ministry work, including Billy Graham Crusades. He performed at the funeral for Billy Graham and the state funeral for former President George H. W. Bush.

He was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2018.