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CALENDAR INFORMATION
WHAT:           It’s a Wonderful Christmas with Michael W. Smith
WHEN:           Thursday, December 9, 2010 • 7:30 PM
WHERE:        Aronoff Center for the Arts – Procter & Gamble Hall
PRICES:         $99 • $72.50 • $62.50 • $52.50
INFO:             Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith has inspired millions with his music, drawing hundreds of thousands to his concerts each year.  The Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum selling artist has become one of the most popular holiday performers in the music industry today. The Associated Press calls Smith’s Christmas music “cinematic,” and his new holiday tour will showcase exactly why in an evening that features Smith with a full symphony orchestra performing selections from his acclaimed Christmas albums.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now
•    www.CincinnatiArts.ORG 
•    (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
•    Aronoff Center Ticket Office
•    Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4157
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CINCINNATI, OH – GRAMMY® award-winning and multi-Platinum selling artist Michael W. Smith brings his highly-anticipated seasonal crowd-pleaser, “It’s A Wonderful Christmas Tour,” featuring a full symphony orchestra, to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Thursday, December 9 at 7:30 pm.  This family-friendly holiday event is part of Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2010-11 Season.  

Tickets are now on sale at www.CincinnatiArts.ORG , (513) 621-ARTS [2787], or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Group discounts are available by calling (513) 977-4157. 

Smith has inspired millions with his music, as evidenced by his recent Double-Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for his 2001 Worship album and Platinum certification for his 2002 Worship Again album. He draws hundreds of thousands to his concerts each year, and has in particular become one of the most popular holiday performers in the music industry today. The Associated Press calls Smith’s Christmas music “cinematic,” and this tour will showcase exactly why. The performance will feature Smith with a full symphony orchestra, performing selections from his three acclaimed Christmas albums including It’s a Wonderful Christmas (2007), Christmastime (1998) and Christmas (1993).

“There is no greater thrill for me, as an artist, than to play with a symphony orchestra,” Smith shares. “Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I love Christmas music. My goal every night is to make sure everyone leaves in the Christmas spirit.”

Smith’s holiday tour will cap off an eventful 2010, during which he traveled across the globe performing a string of international dates in Canada, South Africa, Brazil and Costa Rica in support of his RIAA Gold-certified live album A New Hallelujah. He returned home to perform at the star-studded “Nashville Rising” benefit concert for Nashville’s flood recovery efforts alongside fellow artists Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus, ZZ Top and more.

Smith’s recently released his highly-anticipated, brand new studio album, Wonder, on Sept. 28, on Reunion Records (Provident Label Group). Smith’s 22nd recording, Wonder dropped just days before Smith headed out on a 20-City, AEG Live-produced “Make A Difference Tour” with fellow artists Third Day and TobyMac, along with best-selling author Max Lucado.

About Michael W. Smith
Throughout his 27-year career as a recording artist, Michael W. Smith has amassed an impressive catalog of achievements. His 21 albums have garnered multiple honors including an American Music Award, three GRAMMY ® Awards (from 13 nominations), 44 GMA Dove Awards and 33 No. 1 radio hits. In addition, he holds 16 Gold, 7 Platinum and 2 Double-Platinum albums for career sales approaching 15 million.
 
Smith, who was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2009, has scored several film projects, written 11 books and has been featured by media outlets including, NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, FOX and Friends, Hannity and Colmes, USA Today, NY Times, The Washington Post, LA Times, Newsweek, has been named one of People Magazine's “Most Beautiful People” and has presented multiple times on the GRAMMY® Awards show. His tours consistently rank among the best attended in the country, and he has performed to capacity crowds throughout the world.

Constantly giving back to the community, one of Smith’s current projects is Rocketown – a nightclub for teens in his hometown of Nashville – which serves as safe place for young people to enjoy music and for artists to be discovered. He and wife Debbie Smith are the proud parents of five children. For up-to-date information on Michael W. Smith, please visit www.michaelwsmith.com or www.providentpress.com.


CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION 2010-11 SEASON SPONSORS

2010-11 SEASON SPONSORS:  THE UNION CENTRAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (Founding Season Sponsor), DUKE ENERGY, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, LOCAL12 WKRC, FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner)

2010-11 PRESENTING / PROMOTIONAL SPONSORS:  CityBeat, The Cincinnatian Hotel, Premier Pianos, Natorp’s,  Furniture Fair, Do Downtown, Ultimate Air Shuttle, Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Coldwell Banker/West Shell, Skyline, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Smart Talk Connected Conversations, The Cincinnati Herald

It’s a Wonderful Christmas with Michael W. Smith MEDIA PARTNER:  STAR 93.3 FM