Artist Spotlight: Michael W. Smith

When I think of Michael W. Smith, I think “Patriarch.” Yet the soon-to-be 55-year-old singer/songwriter, who fans refer to as “Smitty,” is hardly old enough to be a patriarch. But when you consider the swath of music he’s created over the last three decades, you can’t deny Smitty’s influence on contemporary Christian music. Smith got his start in the ’80s as a songwriter and playing as a keyboardist for Amy Grant, where he got his big break.  Both performers produced a few hits that were played on mainstream music channels and produced platinum-selling records, which paved the way for a…

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Artist Spotlight: Newsboys

One of contemporary Christian music’s most veteran bands is finally making an appearance at the N.C. State Fair. Newsboys will perform in Dorton Arena on Friday, Oct. 21, with a set list of songs that spans almost 20 years of changing styles and band members. The band originated in Australia in 1985, and made waves in the U.S. in the early ’90s with the album, “Not Ashamed.” I’m not really sure how to describe Newsboys other than fun and upbeat. And with songs like “Shine,” “Breakfast” and “Take me to Your Leader,” it’s hard not to add quirky to the…

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Artist Spotlight: Casting Crowns

I recently heard the name Casting Crowns for the first time. Obviously, there are many more people that have heard of the headlining act at Dorton Arena Friday, Oct. 15. After two weeks of advance sales, the concert for the Atlanta-based group has sold more than 1,800 tickets and is on its way to being our first sold-out show of 2010. I decided to see what all the excitement was about, but I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought I might hear something similar to old gospel tunes from my grandparents’ radio, but after listening to the artist’s songs on our 2010 N.C. State Fair Pandora station, I understand…

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