I love them both, but just for fun and the kind of impossible question I like to address, I decided to present the facts. If I was trying to decide which one of these CCM icons I thought has had the better resume and therefore impact on CCM, who would I pick? Join me if you dare!
Who has the better resume in Christian music?
-Who wore the 80s mullet better?
-Who had more hit singles?
-Who sold more albums?
-Who won the most dove awards?
-How many times has each won artist of the year?
-Smitty wrote music but had a lot of help in lyrical department from Wayne Kirkpatrick and others.
-SCC wrote both music and lyrics to his songs.
-MWS made more albums and adjusted to the worship industry.
-SCC has brought great advocacy to adoption and started a non-profit called Show Hope.
Weigh the stats, and make your decision in the comments after reading the facts below. Who are you gonna take?!
Michael W. Smith:
1981 – started writing songs for others
1982 – played keyboard for Amy Grant on tour
Discography:
1983 – MWS Project
1984 – MWS 2
1986 – Big Picture
1987 – The Live Set
1988 – I 2 Eye
1989 – Christmas (covers)
1990 – Go West Young Man
1992 – Change Your World
1995 – I’ll Lead You Home
1998 – Live the Life
1998 – Christmastime
1999 – This is Your Time
2000 – Freedom (Instrumental)
2001 – Worship (covers)
2002 – Worship Again (covers)
2004 – Healing Rain
2006 – Second Chance Soundtrack
2007 – It’s a Wonderful Christmas Time
2008 – A New Hallelujah (covers)
2010 – Wonder
2011 – Glory (Instrumental)
2014 – Hymns (Cracker Barrel Exclusive) (covers)
2014 – Sovereign
2014 – Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas
2016 – Hymns II: Shine on Us
2017 – A Million Lights
2017 – Surrounded (covers)
2018 – Lullaby
2019 – Awaken: The Surrounded Experience
2019 – The Hymns
2022 – Christmas at Home
2023 – Worship (Forever) Live Extended
2023 – Every Christmas
33!!! albums
14 gold albums 5x platinum
15 million albums sold
36 #1 songs
Started a record Label – Rocket Town
Started Rocket Town Clubs for Youth
3 Grammys
1 AMA
45 Dove Awards
1x Artist of the Year Award
Top 20 Songs of 20 Artists: Michael W. Smith
Steven Curtis Chapman:
80s wrote a song “Build to Last” recorded by Imperials.
1987 – First Hand
1988 – Real Life Conversations
1989 – More to This Life
1990 – For the Sake of the Call
1992 – The Great Adventure
1993 – The Live Adventure
1994 – Heaven in the Real World
1995 – The Music of Christmas
1996 – Signs of Life
1999 – Speechless
2001 – Declaration
2003 – All About Love
2004 – All Things New
2005 – All I Want for Christmas
2007 – This Moment
2009 – Beauty Will Rise
2011 – Re:creation (covers)
2012 – JOY (2012)
2013 – Deep Roots (2013) (covers)
2013 – The Glorious Unfolding
2016 – Worship & Believe
2022 – Still
22 albums!!!
8 gold/2 platinum albums
11 Million Albums Sold
50 #1 Hit Songs
Brought adoption awareness
5 Grammys
1 AMA
59 Dove Awards
7x artist of the year Award
Top 20 Songs of 20 Artists: Steven Curtis Chapman
My Top 5 Smitty:
1. Live the Life (1998)
2. Go West Young Man (1990)
3. Change Your World (1992)
4. I 2 Eye (1988)
5. The Big Picture (1986)
My Top 5 Uncle Steve:
1. Signs of Life (1996)
2. Speechless (1999)
3. Declaration (2001)
4. The Glorious Unfolding (2013)
5. The Great Adventure (1992)
My choice?! I love them both, but I’m going…
Steven Curtis Chapman
So after seeing the facts…who do you choose?!
joshbalogh 
Go MWS young man! #MWSforlife haha
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This is hard. MWS was who got me into Christian music, but somewhere 10-15 years ago, he just got …. old for lack of a better term, and SCC has remained more fun.
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Yeah it’s truly a tough call. I heard MWS first but probably listen to SCC more these days.
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SCC will forever have my admiration for adoption advocacy, and no one can doubt either the genuineness of his faith or the catchiness of his tunes. However, in concerts I’ve attended and in albums, SCC seemed to write more catchy singles, vs. Smitty, who seemed more focused on an overall album (or concert) experience that brought you to a place of deep contemplation and intimacy with God. I think that’s the reason Uncle Steve has had more hit singles and Doves and why Smitty has sold more albums. It’s also the reason I veer more team Smitty. Tough choice, though, for sure, as I’m so grateful to God for both!
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Yes! 🙌
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This is hard! I think SCC had a stronger apex (Great Adventure to Declaration, when he was the biggest star in CCM not named dc Talk), but Smitty, IMO, has had more influence and longevity. Even in his late 60’s, MWS is still very active in the worship scene, while SCC is more of an elder statesman at this point, still putting out music but not charting like it would have 10-15 years ago. Either way, both are legends!
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