Sean Smith - Lead Vocal / Guitar Brian Helsby - Keyboard / Guitar Steve Cunningham - Guitars Brad Long - Guitars John Allison - Guitar Kevin Caldwell - Drums Brock Evans - Drums James Casto - Percussion Samm Darden - Bass Chris Donohue - Bass Bob Clark - Bass Rick Meeder - Bass Rosie Iraheta - BGV's
THE "REAL" PLAYERS: Phil Naish - Producer / Keys Steve Dady - Engineer Dave Cleveland - Guitars Chris Donohue - Bass Dan Needham - Drums
BGV's include: Drew Cline, Lisa Bevill, American Idol Finalist's Mandisa and Melinda Doolittle
Mixed by Ronnie Brookshire
Strings Arranged by Russell Mauldin
Recorded at Sunset Blvd. Studios and Mole End Studios in Franklin, TN
Sounds Like
Me... doing an amazing impersonation of Sean Smith
Sean Smith is one of those people who manages to challenge you without even realizing it. When you come away from a conversation with him, there is the strange sense that you want to be a better person, to love God more, to put up a stronger fight against your own pride and sense of entitlement. Some would say it’s because Sean exhibits a genuine humility; Sean, on the other hand, would say it’s just God working in people’s hearts.
Just like the rest of us, Sean has played the game of tug-of-war with God. In 2005, he felt the call to full-time music. At the time he had a successful sales job and pursuing music seemed like a foolish thing to do, especially in light of supporting his wife and two young children. But God was persistent in calling Sean, pulling him, pushing him even.
The songs on Sean’s debut album, Real, tell a bit of that story. They’re songs of hope and faith and struggle. A lyric from Called Because I Can never ceases to bring tears to my eyes: Follow as you should / you weren’t called because you could / you were called because I can. And it’s just that type of lyric that illustrates the kind of man Sean is: he’s not flashy, not glitzy, there is nothing “rock star” about him. He’ll tell you himself—he’s just one man on a journey with God at the helm. And it’s not even about the music as much as it is about the story of what God is doing in his life and the lives of those around him.
One of the paradoxes about Sean is that he views his situation with such casual gravity. He realizes what a small role he plays in what God is doing, yet it’s easy for anyone to see that God is doing remarkable things. For instance, he’s an independent artist whose national debut release somehow managed to land the top-spot as LifeWay’s first 1 New Music Release of 2007, ahead of all the label artists whose songs play on every Christian radio station across America. Already a 7-time nominee and 5-time Momentum Award winner, including Album of the Year for Real, Sean has once again been nominated this year for two Independent Christian Music Momentum Awards: Male Vocalist of the Year and Inspirational Artist of the Year. That’s no small feat.
Sean’s taking it all in stride, though. In fact, he probably wouldn’t even mention any of this to you if you asked him about his career. When I met Sean, he was attending a seminar I was teaching at the Gospel Music Association’s Academy, and we talked for a bit before he casually handed me his CD, failing to mention that Multi-Grammy/Dove award winner Phil Naish produced it. When I put it in my stereo, I was blown away by what I heard. Immediately, I heard tinges of Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Steve Green, and Josh Groban throughout the 10 songs on Real. Sean could hardly eschew references to his influences, because his music could sit side-by-side with any of them on a stage or a stereo.
That day, I was encouraged by the words of his songs and challenged for the first time by his humility. It was clear to me on that first listen that God had set Sean apart for this. And it continues to be clear to me every time I talk with him or hear his music. He’s a rarity—an artist that feels more familiar than famous, no matter how many albums he sells or how many awards he wins. I’m so glad we serve a God who beat Sean at that game of tug-of-war… our ears and our hearts will be all the better for it.
by Tara Leigh Cobble
Musician, Speaker, and Author of Here’s to Hindsight: Letters to My Former Self (RELEVANT) WWW.TARALEIGHCOBBLE.COM
For more information about Sean or to purchase Real, please visit www.seansmithmusic.com or email info@seansmithmusic.com.
Hi Sean: Just checkin in after a long while and chemo treatments. I'm back and feeling on top of the world. I am blessed for everyday. I ventured back to your page to get my fill of Shut out the World..but am glad to be every day in the world. Hope you are doing well. I was able while I was down but not out to see you on Schuller this past year and I knew you would be great. Dr. Schuller is so annointed and so is your music. I wish you a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year. I'm working on leaving a legacy with my writing and music and walkin by faith and not by sight that God will work his plan in his time with the gifts he's given me.
Thanks for the friendship!May God bless you in all you do for him.I will be on tour with John Waller this fall look for a city near you! Peace, Bill Steely Philippians 3:14
Today while I was cleaning my house I played your CD 3 times in a row before I realized I had played it 3 times in a row...hehehehe I still YUV it! Just thinking of you! Peace- AlyB
Hey Sean I was sitting at my desk and you came across my mind so I thought I would drop you a line. It was great hanging with you at GMA this year. I know that God has a great destiny for you and I look forward to seeing Him blow open the doors for your ministry. Well just wanted to send a word of encouragement to you today. Keep on keeping brother, because God is pleased with all that you are doing for His Kingdom. Have a great rest of the week.
May I share with you a series of 13 Prayer Podcasts, inspiring the Church to pray in 2008. Based on the Bible and Dr. Dick Eastman’s book “No Easy Road”, they are free and are a great blessing. Merryl/Bethelhouse.
Thank you Sean. Sharing with you a PRAYER PODCAST by Pastor A. T. Davidson (AOG Australia). You're welcome to visit and listen. Blessings at Christmas, Merryl/Bethelhouse/Australia
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