Martin Smith (English musician)

Martin James Smith (born 6 July 1970) is an English vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. Smith was the front man of the Christian rock and worship band Delirious?. When Delirious? disbanded in 2009, Smith became a solo artist.

Martin Smith
Martin Smith performing at the Big Church Festival at Wiston, West Sussex in 2022
Martin Smith performing at the Big Church Festival at Wiston, West Sussex in 2022
Background information
Birth nameMartin Smith
Born (1970-07-06) 6 July 1970
OriginWoodford Green, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
GenresChristian rock, alternative rock, contemporary worship music
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1992–present
LabelsFurious?, Survivor, Sparrow, Virgin
Websitemartinsmith.tv

Career

Before becoming a full-time musician, Smith was a sound engineer at ICC studios in Eastbourne.

Along with Stewart Smith (no relation) and Tim Jupp, Smith formed The Cutting Edge in 1992.[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. Smith's band, Delirious?, produced some of the most recognised songs in Christian music, including "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", "History Maker", "My Glorious", "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?", "Shout to the North", "Deeper", "Majesty (Here I Am)", and "What a Friend I've Found". The band announced that they would take a break at the end of 2009 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 Smith and his wife,[3] CompassionArt is an art and International development charity. It released a various artists album in January 2009, with Smith appearing on three tracks. Delirious? later confirmed that they were breaking up 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. Each EP contains new songs, written or co-written by Smith. 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 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. She is sister to Delirious?'s former bass player Jon Thatcher.[6] They have six children.[7]

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?

With Delirious? and Amy Grant

  • 1999 – Streams (various artists album) – one song

With Delirious? and Hillsong

With Delirious? and André Valadão

  • 2008 – Unidos

With Stu Garrard

  • 1995 – Have You Heard?
  • 2017 - Beatitudes

With Matt Redman

With Graham Kendrick

  • 2001 – What Grace – 1 song

With Darlene Zschech

With Michael W. Smith

With Taylor Sorenson

  • 2004 – Exodus (various artists album) – 1 song

With Jars of Clay

With Tim Hughes

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

With Parachute Band

  • 2011 – Love Without Measure – 1 song (featured artist on "It's You")

With Jesus Culture

With LZ7

  • 2016 – Home – 1 song (featured artist on "Stolen Voices")

With Army of Bones

  • 2017 – Army of Bones (album)

References
  1. "About: Biography". Delirious?. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. "The end of an era". Delirious? (Press release). 6 July 2008. Archived from the original on 11 July 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  3. Tear Times, Tearfund, Spring 2010, p.30.
  4. "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever: Stories, Reflections and Devotions". Christian book.
  5. Smith, Martin; Borlase, Craig (4 October 2023). Delirious: The Autobiography of Martin Smith. David C. Cook. ISBN 978-1-43470237-1.
  6. "Delirious.org.uk – FAQ – The Band". delirious.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  7. "The Real Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Delirious? That Is". Christian Post. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
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