Chris Leidhecker is my friend.

We have traveled the world together, leading concerts. He is the backbone of the band. Laying down the rhythms that brought worship to a different spot. Chris’s amazing wife Corrine is a rock and the love of his life. Knowing the way that they lived their life, adventuring across the globe, is something that I will always treasure.

I remember sitting down with him in 2017 when we were making some changes in my band. We had lunch, and to say that we connected from the first moment we met, would be an understatement. At the time he was only 27 years old and was one of the most talented people I had ever met. Whether it was playing Jazz at a club in East Nashville, working on a symphony, or killing it on a rock song, he could do anything.

Chris went home to Jesus yesterday after a bout with an aggressive cancer. His strength and positivity during the season he walked through was unbelievable.

We are all a bit lost today- even while knowing that we will see our friend again. We’re going to be together again. We know that. But the thought doesn’t dull the mourning. There are so many scriptures that my team and I will lean on. They’ll give us comfort. Right now, though, there’s a song that I wrote in 2010 with my friends, Kyle Lee and Michael Farren that best represents where I am today. I’ll probably have more to say in the days and weeks ahead, both here and on tour. But for now, here are the lyrics to the first verse of Welcome Home:

I can’t believe that I’m here having to say goodbye
And I can barely see you through these tears I cry
I close my eyes
I can hear the sound
As angels gather ‘round
Saying this is where you belong
Welcome home.

We love you, Chris. We will miss you until the day we see you on the other side.

We love you, Corrine. We will be here for you, every day.

To all of you reading this, please lift up Chris’s family as they walk the unimaginable.

Thank you, Jesus, for the knowledge that we will all be together again.
Michael W.

Christian Music icon, Michael W. Smith has announced his highly anticipated new tour, “KINGDOM COME – A Night of Worship & Hits”, launching this spring with dates across the U.S. and select international cities. One of the most influential voices in Christian and worship music, Smith invites audiences into a powerful, intentional evening that blends worship moments with the songs that have defined generations.

From those who filled arenas during the GO WEST YOUNG MAN, CHANGE YOUR WORLD, and WORSHIP tours – to fans who have just fallen in love with Smith’s music, this is the tour designed to move everyone.

Tickets for all announced dates are currently on sale. Additional international dates will be included as part of the “KINGDOM COME – A Night of Worship & Hits” tour, underscoring the global reach of Smith’s music and worship.

With a new studio project coming in 2026 as well, Smith continues cementing his legacy in a genre he helped trailblaze.

“KINGDOM COME – A Night of Worship & Hits” – 2026 TOUR DATES

April 16 – New Philadelphia, OH – Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas

April 17 – Bowling Green, KY – Southern Kentucky Performing Arts CenterApril 18 – Fayetteville, GA – Trilith Studios

April 19 – Huntington, WV – Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center

April 23 – Dallas (Carrollton), TX – Covenant Church

April 24 – Austin (Round Rock), TX – The Fellowship Church

April 25 – Houston (Pearland), TX – First Church

April 30 – Bellingham, WA – Mount Baker Theatre

May

May 1 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Arts Live Theater

May 2 – Salem, OR – Elsinore Theatre

May 4 – Billings, MT – Alberta Bair Theater

May 5 – Bismarck, ND – Bismarck Event Center

May 7 – Duluth, MN – Duluth Symphony Hall

May 8 – Alexandria, MN – Lake Geneva Auditorium

May 9 – Brainerd, MN – Gichi-Ziibi Center for the Arts

May 14 – Washington, IL – Five Points Caterpillar Performing Arts Center

May 15 – DeKalb, IL – Egyptian Theatre

May 16 – Shipshewana, IN – Blue Gate Theatre

May 17 – Lima, OH – Veterans Memorial Civic Center (On Sale At A Later Date)*

May 21 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre (On Sale January 16th)

May 22 – New Haven, CT – Shubert Theatre

Additional international dates to be announced.

For tickets, tour updates, and additional information, visit MichaelWSmith.com.

NASHVILLE, TN – – Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® winning artist Michael W. Smith is back with a powerful new single, “Arms Around The Sun”, available now on all streaming platforms. The track marks the first single from Smith’s upcoming studio release—and while the full project is still under wraps, the excitement surrounding this song was too strong to wait.

“I just couldn’t hold this one back,” says Smith. “This song has lit a fire in me. I’m still in the middle of making the rest of the project, but ‘Arms Around The Sun’ felt too urgent—too alive—not to share it now. It’s the kind of song that reminds me why I do what I do.”

Produced by Tedd T. and Smith, and co-written by Smith and Michael Olson, “Arms Around The Sun” explores the awe-inspiring mystery of God’s love—too vast to fully grasp, yet close enough to feel. The lyrics swell with the kind of cinematic intensity longtime fans have come to expect from Smith.

Adding a unique layer to the recording is Jonathan Roumie—widely known for his role as Lonnie Frisbee in the 2023 film Jesus Revolution and as Jesus in the global phenomenon The Chosen—who makes a special appearance on drums. Roumie, also an accomplished drummer, is a close friend of Michael’s who came by the studio while the song was being recorded and jumped into the recording on a whim.

“There’s nothing that really comes close to the shared expression of playing music with people,” says Roumie. “It’s almost a chemical thing, it’s an ethereal sort of connection to ultimately the divine.”

The official music video for “Arms Around The Sun” was shot at Vū Nashville, a state-of-the-art virtual production studio, and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Harrison Shook. The visually stunning video captures the emotional gravity of the track while pushing artistic boundaries.

With lyrics that blend appreciation and wonder—“Trying to get my head around You / is like trying to wrap my arms around the sun”—the song continues Smith’s legacy of crafting music that inspires, challenges, and uplifts. Currently, Michael is about to embark on his worldwide Beyond the Far Horizon Tour.

For more information on Michael W. Smith and to view his upcoming tour dates visit: https://michaelwsmith.com.

Michael W. Smith’s “BEYOND THE FAR HORIZON” Tour Continues This Fall!

Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter, Michael W. Smith, is excited to come to your city with his BEYOND THE FAR HORIZON TOUR. Michael is bringing a whole new dimension to this tour with a reimagined live show, featuring brand new music that ventures into new creative ground, while still resonating with long-time fans through beloved hits and uplifting worship moments.

Visit MichaelWSmith.com/tour for tickets

FALL TOUR DATES ON SALE NOW
9.27 – Midwest City, OK
9.28 – Nixa, MO
10.9 – Madison, WI
10.10 – Jefferson City, MO
10.11 – Rochester, MN
10.18 – Myrtle Beach, SC
10.19 – Pelham, TN (The Caverns) 
10.23 – Hutchinson, KS
10.24 – Lubbock, TX
10.25 – San Antonio, TX

OTHER TOUR DATES:
4.23 – Providence, RI
4.24 – Morristown, NJ
4.25 – Boston, MA
4.26 – Springfield, MA
4.30 – Johnson City, TN
5.1 – Lancaster, PA *Sold Out
5.2 – Alexandria, VA
5.8 – Baltimore, MD
5.9 – Cincinnati, OH
5.10 – Chesterfield, MO
5.15,16 – Shipshewana, IN
5.17 – Rockford, IL
5.18 – Brainerd, MN
5.24 – Vista, CA
6.17 – Stockholm, Sweden
6.19 – Rotterdam, Netherlands *Sold Out
6.21 – London, England
6.23 – Horsens, Denmark
6.25 – Ludwigsburg, Germany
6.27 – Varna, Bulgaria
12.19,20,21 – Nashville, TN

Visit MichaelWSmith.com/tour for tickets

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 17, 2024) – Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® winner Michael W. Smith is thrilled to announce his 2024 EVERY CHRISTMAS tour. Audiences will be engulfed in the joy and true meaning of the season as Smith and his award-winning very special guest, Riley Clemmons, perform his most popular Christmas classics. A special ticket pre-sale will take place today (Wednesday, July 17), and general on-sale begins Friday, July 19.

Smith says, “Christmas is always my favorite time of year.  It’s a time that families are intentional about coming together and celebrating the reason for the season.  I’m honored that so many people consider our tour dates part of their Christmas traditions.  I cannot wait to share these songs and some special surprises as we go across the entire country.”

“Michael has been the soundtrack of my Christmases, so this is genuinely a complete dream come true for me. He’s also been a long time inspiration to me as both a songwriter and musician. It’ll be quite surreal & full circle to take the stage alongside him and his incredible band singing beloved Christmas songs together. I mean it when I say I couldn’t be more excited. Nothing is more Christmassy than Christmas with Michael W. Smith,” add Clemmons.

The highly anticipated tour will showcase a range of selections from Smith’s extensive Christmas repertoire, blending a vast collection of traditional classics and critically acclaimed holiday albums, including his latest holiday release Every Christmas. Smith’s recordings have become a cherished part of the Christmas season for families worldwide, and his holiday tour is celebrated as one of the season’s premier events, delighting fans year after year at sold-out shows across North America.

For more information on the upcoming tour and to purchase tickets, visit: MichaelWSmith.com.

UPDATED TOUR DATES AND VENUES:

• Nov. 15 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
• Nov. 16 – Durham, NC – Carolina Theatre
• Nov. 17 – Atlanta, GA – The Woodruff Arts Center
• Nov. 20 – Lansdowne, PA – Lansdowne Theater
• Nov. 21 – Easton, PA – State Theatre Center for the Arts
• Nov. 22 – Tysons, VA – Capital One Hall
• Nov. 24 – Gas City, IN – Gas City Performing Arts Center
• Nov. 25 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place
• Nov. 26 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
• Nov. 30 – Seattle, WA – Benaroya Hall / Auditorium (*On Sale 7.23)
• Dec. 1 – Kennewick, WA – Retter and Company Theatre / Toyota Center
• Dec. 3 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
• Dec. 4 – Sacramento, CA – SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
• Dec. 5 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
• Dec. 7 – Bakersfield, CA – Fox Theater
• Dec. 8 – Anaheim, CA – City National Grove of Anaheim
• Dec. 9 – Tucson, AZ – Tucson Convention Center
• Dec. 10 – Tempe, AZ – ASU Gammage Auditorium
• Dec. 12 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts
• Dec. 13 – Wichita, KS – Orpheum Theatre
• Dec. 15 – Dallas, TX – Majestic Theatre
• Dec. 16 – Houston, TX – Cullen Performance Hall
• Dec. 17 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
• Dec. 19 – Nashville, TN – The Fisher Center
• Dec. 20 – Nashville, TN – The Fisher Center
• Dec. 21 – Nashville, TN – The Fisher Center

Tickets and information will be live on MichaelWSmith.com/Tour on July 16th.

About Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith has been releasing new music regularly and performing around the world to sold-out crowds for the last 35+ years. During his storied career, he’s written and recorded over 36 No. 1 songs, been bestowed with three GRAMMY® Awards, 45 Dove Awards, one American Music Award, was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and has sold more than 15 million albums. More than just an outstanding songwriter and performer, Smith has given back to the global community throughout his career. He 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.

Smith is married to the love of his life Deborah, and together they have five children and 17 grandchildren.

Get Connected With Michael W. Smith

michaelwsmith.com

facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial

twitter.com/michaelwsmith

instagram.com/mwsmithofficial

About Riley Clemmons

Riley Clemmons is an artist who has accumulated over half a billion global streams and over 105 million YouTube video views. After spending years refining her craft in writers’ rooms, Riley sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 Capitol CMG debut single “Broken Prayers,” which has generated over 60 million global streams since its release. Her 2018 self-titled album debut quickly entered the Billboard Heatseekers chart, debuting at No. 13. Riley added to her accomplishments with her well known single “Fighting For Me” being RIAA Gold Certified this year. Riley’s music has cemented her place as an artist to watch with accolades from Rolling Stone, People Magazine, Dove Awards Nomination, KLOVE Award Nomination as well as performances on the TODAY Show, FOX & Friends, and debut at the Grand Ole Opry. A Nashville native who is an accomplished composer, performer, producer, and recording artist, Riley draws inspiration from life experiences, blending musical influences to create music that is as catchy as it is relatable.