For 20 years Michael W. Smith has been changing the landscape of music. Whether penning innovative worship songs for the church, setting sales records and raising the standards of excellence in the CCM world or challenging mainstream audiences to find their "place in the world" Michael W. Smith has been a leader in many ways. He is the friend of Presidents and Kings, evangelists, authors and outstanding leaders in the business community. He is well-known as a family man whose commitment to "family first" has remained in tact these 20 years.

And, he's still going strong. His most recent albums, Worship and Worship Again have sold over 2 million copies collectively. He has toured extensively in the US and Europe appearing before hundreds of thousands of people just since January 2003. And he's been writing and recording for his next studio release due in 2004.

In the midst of all of this activity comes The Second Decade. With songs from yesterday, today and a hint of tomorrow this collection of Michael's most popular songs of the last ten years is not a "bookend." Instead it is a snapshot that captures a season of Michael's creative work and points forward to all that is to come from this amazing artist who shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Featuring some of Michael's best-known songs recorded between 1993 and the present, The Second Decade not only tells the story of Michael's career but, in many ways, reflects the journey of our lives as well. Songs like I'll Lead You Home, Live the Life and This Is Your Time have become part of our culture. And, more recently, songs like Above All have brought us closer to God in worship. Finally, the newly remade Friends 2003 featuring Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Mac Powell and a host of others, reminds us that we are a community made for each other.