On June 20th in Houston, Texas, along with more than 12,000 in attendance, Michael W. Smith recorded his third worship album, A New Hallelujah, which will be available at Canadian Christian retailer on October 28th. A choir of 250, along with special guests, The African Children’s Choir and worship leaders Israel Houghton and Coalo Zamorano, led a two-hour worship event, yielding A New Hallelujah.

More than 12,000 people gathered at Lakewood Church for the recording [Click image to enlarge]

The upcoming record, Smith’s 21st, will offer a unique, moving worship experience through songs like “Mighty to Save”, “Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone” and “I Surrender All”, (song list subject to change) along with several new songs that Michael wrote especially for the project. The title track was penned by Smith, his wife Debbie and friend Paul Baloche. The album was arranged and produced by Smith.

“Since my last world tour a few years ago, I’ve been looking forward to recording a live worship project that reflected something more global than I’ve ever done before; a collection of songs and voices to translate what I experienced that year. I had hoped for an evening of worship that reflected the corners of our nation, and the world; I think we captured that,” shares Smith. “My great friend Israel Houghton, the world renowned African Children’s Choir, an incredible young worship leader named Coalo Zamorano and a 250-voice choir elevated the songs to amazing moments of praise and worship. It was more than I could have hoped for.”

Smith’s first worship album, simply titled Worship, released on September 11th, 2001 and has sold more than a million-and-a half copies. Its follow up Worship Again released September 19th, 2002 and is nearing the 800,000 mark.

Throughout his 25-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalogue of achievements. His 20 albums have garnered multiple honours including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY® Awards (from 13 nominations) and 42 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold and 5 Platinum albums and career sales approaching 15 million.

Check out the various Worship projects from Smith including the Worship DualDisc which features the album remixed in 5.1 surround, and the Worship Box Set which includes the Worship CD, Worship Again CD and Worship DVD, on his YMZ artist page.