Paul Smith (christian music)
Encyclopedia
Paul Charles Smith is a Contemporary Christian Music
performer and songwriter. He is best remembered for his early years with influential gospel
group, The Imperials
. Paul spent four years with that group, recording four albums and one live video. Smith was inducted into the Gospel Music Association
's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
as a member of The Imperials. He has recorded five solo albums and is an award-winning songwriter.
. Smith was familiar with the group through his booking them for concerts at Baylor University
—where he was attending. Paul finished out the "Priority
tour" and rapidly earned the respect of The Imperials' fans. For the 1982 album Stand by the Power, Paul co-wrote the title track and the hit "Lord of The Harvest
." He also co-wrote the 1980s, Larnelle Harris
hit "How Excellent Is Thy Name."
In 1983, The Imperials released Side By Side. It was a double record set featuring five solo performances from each member. Paul had the last five songs on the album. Side By Side won the Dove Award for 1984 Pop/Contemporary Album of The Year. Paul recorded four albums and one live video with The Imperials before leaving the group in 1985. He continued to submit songs to The Imperials—Including his song "Wings of Love
," which was recorded by the group in 1987.
. Live and Learn was a successful album in the Christian music marketplace, with a style and substance comparable to the first Rich Mullins
album. He only recorded three albums on this label. By 1990, the record label StarSong pulled away from Word Records and became part of Sparrow Records
. Many artists including The Imperials had left Word and signed with StarSong, and Paul also made the move. Human Touch
was released in 1991. It would be his only album released on that label.
Paul continued to tour through the early 1990s—but didn’t have a new album out until 1994—when he signed a contract with Integrity Music to release Extra Measure. The album charted, but the success didn’t last. He later served as Music Minister at the First Baptist Church of Colleyvile, Texas. In 2006, Paul's long awaited album Soli Deo was released independently. "Soli Deo is not a huge departure from the musical style that made Paul a highly recognizable voice in contemporary Christian music in the '80s."- CD Baby Review
In 2010, Smith reunited with former Imperials members Armond Morales and Dave Will, to record and tour.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
performer and songwriter. He is best remembered for his early years with influential gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
group, The Imperials
The Imperials
The Imperials are an American Christian music group that has been around for over 45 years. Originating as a southern gospel quartet, the innovative group would become pioneers of contemporary Christian music in the 1960s. There have been many changes for the band in membership and musical styles...
. Paul spent four years with that group, recording four albums and one live video. Smith was inducted into the Gospel Music Association
Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association was founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of Gospel music. There are currently about 4,000 members worldwide...
's Gospel Music Hall of Fame
Gospel Music Hall of Fame
The Gospel Music Hall of Fame, created in 1971 by the Gospel Music Association, is a Hall of Fame dedicated exclusively to recognizing meaningful contributions by individuals and groups in all forms of gospel music.-Inductees:...
as a member of The Imperials. He has recorded five solo albums and is an award-winning songwriter.
Early career
Smith began his musical career in 1981 with The Imperials, following the departure of Russ TaffRuss Taff
Russell Taff is an American gospel singer who is originally from Farmersville, California. Taff later then moved to Arkansas where he graduated from Cutter-Morning Star High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas....
. Smith was familiar with the group through his booking them for concerts at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
—where he was attending. Paul finished out the "Priority
Priority (album)
Priority is the sixth studio album by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1979 on the Planet label.-History:Their second venture with producer Richard Perry, it was also their second venture into rock. The album peaked at number 72 on the Billboard 200 and reached number 44 on the R&B albums chart. ...
tour" and rapidly earned the respect of The Imperials' fans. For the 1982 album Stand by the Power, Paul co-wrote the title track and the hit "Lord of The Harvest
Lord of the Harvest
-Personnel:*Bootsy Collins: Space Bass*Bernie Worrell: Keyboards, synthesizers*Buckethead: Electric and acoustic guitars*Bill Laswell: Ambient sounds and noises*Grandmaster Melle Mel: Chant*Umar Bin Hassan: Chant...
." He also co-wrote the 1980s, Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Harris
Larnelle Steward Harris is a gospel singer and songwriter. During his 30-plus years of ministry, Harris has recorded 18 albums, won five Grammy Awards and 18 Dove Awards, and has had several number one songs on the inspirational music charts.-Early life:A native of Danville, Kentucky, Harris...
hit "How Excellent Is Thy Name."
In 1983, The Imperials released Side By Side. It was a double record set featuring five solo performances from each member. Paul had the last five songs on the album. Side By Side won the Dove Award for 1984 Pop/Contemporary Album of The Year. Paul recorded four albums and one live video with The Imperials before leaving the group in 1985. He continued to submit songs to The Imperials—Including his song "Wings of Love
Wings of Love
Wings of Love is a 1976 album by The Temptations for the Gordy label. The album was an unsuccessful release, both commercially and critically...
," which was recorded by the group in 1987.
Solo
In 1986, Paul signed with Dayspring Records a division of the Word RecordsWord Records
Word Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
. Live and Learn was a successful album in the Christian music marketplace, with a style and substance comparable to the first Rich Mullins
Rich Mullins
Richard Wayne "Rich" Mullins was an American Contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. He had two sisters and two brothers....
album. He only recorded three albums on this label. By 1990, the record label StarSong pulled away from Word Records and became part of Sparrow Records
Sparrow Records
-Background:Sparrow Records was founded in 1976 by Billy Ray Hearn, then A&R director at Myrrh Records. Purchased by EMI in 1992, it is now part of the EMI Christian Music Group, and has been named by Billboard Magazine as "America's Best Christian Music Record Label"...
. Many artists including The Imperials had left Word and signed with StarSong, and Paul also made the move. Human Touch
Human Touch
Human Touch is the ninth studio album by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1992 . This album was co-released on the same day as Lucky Town...
was released in 1991. It would be his only album released on that label.
Paul continued to tour through the early 1990s—but didn’t have a new album out until 1994—when he signed a contract with Integrity Music to release Extra Measure. The album charted, but the success didn’t last. He later served as Music Minister at the First Baptist Church of Colleyvile, Texas. In 2006, Paul's long awaited album Soli Deo was released independently. "Soli Deo is not a huge departure from the musical style that made Paul a highly recognizable voice in contemporary Christian music in the '80s."- CD Baby Review
In 2010, Smith reunited with former Imperials members Armond Morales and Dave Will, to record and tour.
Solo
- 1986: Live and Learn (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1987: No Frills (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1989: Back to Who I Am (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1991: Human Touch (StarSong)
- 1994: Extra Measure (Integrity)
- 2006: Soli Deo (Independent)
Albums with the Imperials
- 1982: Stand By the Power (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1983: Side By Side (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1984: Sing the Classics (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1985: Let the Wind Blow (Myrrh/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) - 1986: Old Fashioned Faith (Dayspring/WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) (Compilation) - 1996: The Imperials – Legacy (WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) (Compilation) - 2007: The Definitive Collection (WordWord RecordsWord Records is a Christian record label based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a division of Word Entertainment , which, itself is co-owned by Warner Music Group and Curb Records...
) (Compilation) - 2010: Still Standing (Infinity Music)