Michael W. Smith Creates Nurturing Steps™, Releases His First Children's Album, Book

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - April 6, 2018 - PRLog -- Multi-Platinum, three-time Grammy® Award winning artist, best-selling author and acclaimed actor Michael W. Smith launches Nurturing Steps™, a new infant and toddler series with a simple mission to provide parents and grandparents with music and books to enliven a young child's journey with hope and faith through song and storytelling.

The first new album, Lullaby, and book, Nighty Night and Good Night, from Nurturing Steps release May 4 and May 8 through The Fuel Music and Zonderkidz™ respectfully. These projects also mark the first-ever children's album and book by Michael, each crafted in collaboration with renowned VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki. The book is available now to preorder through NurturingSteps.com or favorite online retailers.

"One of the greatest joys of my life is being a parent and a grandparent," says Michael, the father of five, who is called "G-Daddy" by his 14 grandkids. "I want to serve the next generation well. That's why I created Nurturing Steps, to provide stories and songs that will help shape the faith of our newest generation."

For Lullaby, Michael meaningfully arranges his worldwide hits like "Agnus Dei" and "Friends" along with new ballads "No More Crying," "Sleep Tight" and more, and leads an audio bedtime drama for young children with the Nighty Night characters. The Nighty Nights also join Michael as his band with Bear on Guitar, Lamby on Keys and Sleepy Puppy on Upright Base.

In Nighty Night and Good Night, members of the Nighty Night band are further called upon to help their friend, Ben, as he tries to fall asleep. After bedtime prayers and some going-to-sleep rituals are done, a lullaby sung by the band of animals including Bear, Sleepy Puppy and Lamby finally does the trick.

"I have wonderful memories of reading, singing and praying with my children before bed," says Nawrocki. "It can be a sacred time with our little ones, and I'm thrilled to be able to partner with Michael to create stories that parents and grandparents can use to help pass important values on to their children and grandchildren."

https://youtu.be/urkdrxpiudQ



Known as one of the most influential Christian music artists in the world, Michael recently performed "A Million Lights (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/michael-smith-spe...)" and "Surrounded (Fight My Battles) (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/michael-smith-per...)" from his 5-star-aclaimed albums A Million Lights (https://mws.lnk.to/AMillionLights) and Surrounded (https://mws.lnk.to/Surrounded) respectively on ABC-TV's Good Morning America (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/michael-smith-performs-surrounded-live-gma-53699715). He has also recently been featured by USA Today (https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2017/10/24/exclusive-michael-w-smith-lost-space-uplifting-a-million-lights-video/785063001/), Billboard (https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8099594/michael-w-smith-premieres-a-million-lights-album-exclusive), TBN (https://www.tbn.org/programs/praise/watch/praise-216), FOX News (http://video.foxnews.com/v/5751530559001/#sp=show-clips), CBN (http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/entertainment/2018/february/a-million-lights-why-the-latest-album-from-michael-w-smith-almost-didnt-happen), Parade (https://parade.com/648204/laurawhitmore/exclusive-album-premiere-michael-w-smith-is-glorious-on-live-worship-album-surrounded/), Yahoo! Music (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/song-premiere-michael-w-smith-debuts-love-always-wins-145439946.html) and many more outlets as these albums became his 30^th and 31^st Top 10 hits on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, more than any other solo artist in history.

Taking the new music and fan favorites from his extensive repertoire on the road internationally, Michael begins his "Israel Tour 2018 (http://www.inspirationcruises.com/christian-tours/michael-w-smith-israel-2018)" next week before continuing his "Sounded By A Million Lights World Tour (http://michaelwsmith.com/tour/)" that is traversing the eastern half of the US this spring prior to wrapping up May 13 in Joplin, MO. Already seeing packed venues, this full-production tour is being presented by Compassion International and features special guest Nathan Tasker.

Even in the midst of his busy schedule, Michael makes time for his children and grandchildren and treasures the special moments he has to speak into their lives.

"I hope they see these books and this music as a gift to them, to remember that they are loved as they fall asleep every night," says Michael.

Following the release of Lullaby and Nighty Night and Good Night, additional Nurturing Steps titles releasing this fall will be announced.

For all the latest Michael W. Smith and Nurturing Steps news, go to www.michaelwsmith.com (https://t.e2ma.net/click/0hod1/kp786b/05ipxk) and www.nurturingsteps.com and connect through Michael's socials:
https://www.facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial
https://twitter.com/michaelwsmith
https://www.instagram.com/mwsmithofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelWSmithVEVO

About Michael W. Smith:
Michael has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 30+ years. During his storied career, he's written 32 No. 1 singles, been honored with three Grammy Awards and 45 Dove Awards, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. He's also given back to the global community. Michael has raised funds to battle AIDS in Africa; started Rocketown, a safe haven for young people in Tennessee to meet and find hope; and has helped more than 70,000 children through Compassion International.

About Mike Nawrocki:
Mike Nawrocki is co-creator of the popular series VeggieTales. Acting as the voice of Larry the Cucumber and several other VeggieTales characters, Mike also wrote and directed dozens of episodes including the brand's two feature films; Jonah and The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. He resides in Franklin, TN, with his wife and two children.

About The Fuel Music:
Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum artists. More information on the company can be found at www.thefuelmusic.com.

About Zonderkidz:
Zonderkidz™, the children's division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it creates products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 14. Zonderkidz is also publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the third grade reading level edition of the NIV. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.