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.
Martin Smith | |
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 Martin Smith performing at the Big Church Festival at Wiston, West Sussex in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Martin Smith |
| Born | 6 July 1970 |
| Origin | Woodford Green, London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | martinsmith |
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, is father to six children and part of St. Peter’s Church in Brighton, England.[6] She is sister to Delirious?' former bass player Jon Thatcher.[7] They have six children.[8] Their daughter Elle Limebear is a worship singer.
Discography
As a solo artist
- 1998 – The People's Album (various artists album) – two songs
- 1999 – The People's Album 2 (various artists album) – one song
- 2002 – Your Love Broke Through (various artists album) – one song
- 2012 – God's Great Dance Floor Movement One (EP)
- 2012 – God's Great Dance Floor Movement Two (EP)
- 2012 – God's Great Dance Floor Movement Three (EP)
- 2013 – God's Great Dance Floor Movement Four (EP)
- 2013 – God's Great Dance Floor – Step 01 (Album comprising Movement One & Two EPs plus two new songs)
- 2013 – God's Great Dance Floor – Step 02 (Album comprising Movement Three & Four EPs, plus three new songs)
- 2014 – Back to the Start (compilation album of songs from the God's Great Dance Floor releases)
- 2018 – Love Song for a City: Live Worship from Around the Globe released 23 July 2018
- 2019 – Iron Lung released 10 May 2019, Integrity
- 2020 – Exalt released 6 March 2020, Integrity
- 2022 - Dancing in the Fire released 4 February 2022, Gloworks
With Delirious?
- 1993 – Cutting Edge 1
- 1994 – Cutting Edge 2
- 1995 – Cutting Edge 3: Red Tape
- 1995 – Cutting Edge Fore
- 1996 – Live & In the Can
- 1997 – King of Fools
- 1998 – d:tour
- 1999 – Mezzamorphis
- 2000 – Glo
- 2000 – Roaring Lambs (various artists album) – one song
- 2001 – Audio Lessonover?
- 2002 – Deeper
- 2002 – Libertad
- 2002 – Touch
- 2002 – Access:d
- 2003 – World Service
- 2004 – In the Name of Love: Artists United for Africa (various artists album) – one song
- 2005 – The Mission Bell
- 2005 - Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (various artists album) - one song
- 2006 – Now Is the Time – Live at Willow Creek
- 2008 – Kingdom of Comfort
- 2009 – My Soul Sings
- 2010 – Farewell Show – Live in London
With Delirious? and Amy Grant
- 1999 – Streams (various artists album) – one song
With Delirious? and Hillsong
- 2004 – UP: Unified Praise CD/DVD
With Delirious? and André Valadão
- 2008 – Unidos
With Stu Garrard
- 1995 – Have You Heard?
- 2017 - Beatitudes
With Matt Redman
- 1998 – Intimacy – 1 song
- 2007 – Beautiful News – 1 song
With Graham Kendrick
- 2001 – What Grace – 1 song
With Darlene Zschech
- 2003 – Kiss of Heaven – 1 song
With Michael W. Smith
- 2004 – Healing Rain – wrote 3 songs
With Taylor Sorenson
- 2004 – Exodus (various artists album) – 1 song
With Jars of Clay
- 2005 – Redemption Songs – 1 song
With Tim Hughes
- 2006 – Holding Nothing Back co-wrote 2 songs
- 2011 – Love Shine Through co-wrote 9 songs
With CompassionArt
- 2009 – CompassionArt (various artists album) – 3 songs (1 song with Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, Watoto Children's Choir / 1 song with CeCe Winans, Lakewood Choir / 1 song with Steven Curtis Chapman, Watoto Children's Choir)
With Israel Houghton
- 2009 – The Power of One – 1 song
With Parachute Band
- 2011 – Love Without Measure – 1 song (featured artist on "It's You")
With Jesus Culture
- 2012 – Live from New York
With LZ7
- 2016 – Home – 1 song (featured artist on "Stolen Voices")
With Army of Bones
- 2017 – Army of Bones (album)
References
External links
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