(Nashville, Tenn.) Dec. 8, 2005 -- Michael W. Smith garnered his 11th GRAMMY nomination as announced this morning by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) at a press conference in New York. The 48th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 - 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

On receiving news of his nomination, Smith commented, "It sounds trite - but the first thing that always comes to mind is - 'it's a real honor' to be nominated -- and it is. I appreciate people thinking enough of this project to nominate it for the GRAMMY. In light of so much unrest around the world - I hope this project has brought some healing to people that so desperately need it."

The success of Healing Rain was propelled in part by the hit singles "Here I Am" (a No. 1 Inspirational chart hit) and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," which found favor at both Contemporary Christian and mainstream AC radio. Healing Rain debuted at #11 on Billboard's Top 200, while the title track rose to No. 1 on Radio & Records AC charts.

After 20 years in the spotlight, singer/songwriter/composer/actor Michael W. Smith is beyond category. Approach his career from multiple perspectives and Michael remains ever the restless rebel, ever the impatient artist with a new self-imposed mission to accomplish. As one of the most successful artists in Contemporary Christian music, he has tallied 30 No. 1 singles, 15 Gold and five Platinum albums, 40 Dove Awards and three GRAMMY Awards and 11 GRAMMY nominations.

Sales of his 18 studio albums have topped 13 million. He has also stood shoulder-to-shoulder with U2's Bono launching the "ONE" campaign to eradicate AIDS in Africa as well as opened Rocketown, a Nashville nightclub Smith built as a local refuge for teens.

In addition to a non-stop concert schedule this summer and fall, Michael is wrapping his 2005 Christmas tour and readying for the release of The Second Chance, an independent feature film directed and co-written by Steve Taylor, where he makes his acting debut in a lead role. The Second Chance is currently slated to hit select theaters on Feb 17, 2006.