Todd Smith (Selah)
Encyclopedia
Todd Smith is a singer and founding member of the contemporary Christian music
band Selah
. Smith remains an original member since its founding in 1998.
After winning the respect of fans and critics alike as a part of Selah, Smith took time to work on a solo project. His debut album Alive was released on August 10, 2004 with Curb Records
. The album steered from the common sound Selah offered, better known for well integrated harmonies, singing hymns and melodic ballads. A passion for the sound of Rock Music
was more of what Smith had in mind when working on this album. With bands such as Boston (band)
, Foreigner (band)
, Journey (band)
, and Genesis (band)
as early influences, Smith's musical expression in Alive is notable. This has been his only solo release to date.
Smith continues to work with Alan Hall and Amy Perry, current members of Selah. Their most recent album, You Deliver Me, was released on August 25, 2009 with Curb Records.
, Africa
now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
. His grandparents became missionaries to the continent in the 1930s. His grandfather worked as a dentist
in the United States
before moving to Zaire. Smith's father was born in Africa, but later returned to Detroit, Michigan
. Both his grandparents died in Africa.
At the age of five, Smith's family home burned to the ground. His father felt after this experience that he was being called into the mission field of Africa. Smith's father moved his mother, three siblings, and himself from Detroit, Michigan to Africa. His family remained there for the next eight years.
His upbringing was strict, but Smith admittedly never questioned his Biblical teaching. Smith gives credit for his music career to his missionary upbringing. “I've been singing in front of people since I was three,” he said. “My parents are missionaries. When we came back to the United States
, we had to visit each church that sponsored us. That was a good training ground.”
Albums With Selah
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
band Selah
Selah (band)
Selah is a Christian vocal trio consisting of Todd Smith, Allan Hall, and Amy Perry. They have won three Dove Awards. The group has been featured on The 700 Club, The Hour of Power, and TBN.- History :...
. Smith remains an original member since its founding in 1998.
After winning the respect of fans and critics alike as a part of Selah, Smith took time to work on a solo project. His debut album Alive was released on August 10, 2004 with Curb Records
Curb Records
Curb Records is a record label started by Mike Curb originally as Sidewalk Records in 1963...
. The album steered from the common sound Selah offered, better known for well integrated harmonies, singing hymns and melodic ballads. A passion for the sound of Rock Music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
was more of what Smith had in mind when working on this album. With bands such as Boston (band)
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
, Foreigner (band)
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
, Journey (band)
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
, and Genesis (band)
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
as early influences, Smith's musical expression in Alive is notable. This has been his only solo release to date.
Smith continues to work with Alan Hall and Amy Perry, current members of Selah. Their most recent album, You Deliver Me, was released on August 25, 2009 with Curb Records.
Early life
In a home built by his grandparents, Smith grew up the son of missionaries in ZaireZaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
. His grandparents became missionaries to the continent in the 1930s. His grandfather worked as a dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
before moving to Zaire. Smith's father was born in Africa, but later returned to Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Both his grandparents died in Africa.
At the age of five, Smith's family home burned to the ground. His father felt after this experience that he was being called into the mission field of Africa. Smith's father moved his mother, three siblings, and himself from Detroit, Michigan to Africa. His family remained there for the next eight years.
His upbringing was strict, but Smith admittedly never questioned his Biblical teaching. Smith gives credit for his music career to his missionary upbringing. “I've been singing in front of people since I was three,” he said. “My parents are missionaries. When we came back to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, we had to visit each church that sponsored us. That was a good training ground.”
Discography
Solo Albums| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Alive |
Albums With Selah
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1999 | Be Still My Soul |
| 2001 | Press On |
| 2002 | Rose Of Bethlehem |
| 2004 | Hiding Place |
| 2005 | Greatest Hymns |
| 2006 | Bless The Broken Road - The Duets Album |
| 2007 | Timeless: The Selah Collection |
| 2009 | You Deliver Me |
Compilation Contributions
| Released | Song | Album | Label(s) Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 September 2011 | Broken Praise | Music Inspired by The Story | EMI Christian Music |
External links
- Selah website with Todd Smith