just being crazy, you
know. My mom and dad
knew what I was doing.
But they never hassled
me, they just prayed for
me. And I felt convicted
by God. Every time I'd
wake up I knew: This
isn't me. But I couldn't
change myself.
In November 1979, Smith
suffered a breakdown that led
to his recommitment to Jesus
Christ. The next day he
auditioned for a new
contemporary Christian music
(CCM) group, Higher Ground,
as a keyboardist and got the
job. His lead vocals were heard
on much of CCM radio with
the single, "I Am". It was on
his first tour with Higher
Ground, playing mostly in
churches, that Smith was
finally able to put the drugs
and alcohol behind him.
In 1981, while he was playing
keyboards for Higher Ground,[
Smith was signed as a writer
to Meadowgreen Music, where
he wrote numerous gospel hits
penned for artists such as Sandi
Patty, Kathy Troccoli, Bill
Gaither and Amy Grant, to the
effect that some of these
popular worship songs can now
be found in church hymnals.
The following year, Smith
began touring as a keyboardist
for Grant on her Age to
Age tour.
JOY FEELINGS | DECEMBER ISSUE
42