here is an excerpt with the U2 stuff in it
But that meeting wasn’t the only significant one of that trip overseas. A side jaunt to Ireland produced an impromptu invitation from U2’s Bono to drop by for dinner “with the boys.” The dinner extended into an excursion over to the “secret” studio where the band was recording with famed producer Steve Lillywhite, who helmed U2’s first three albums and had co-production credits on Achtung Baby and All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Michael found himself in yet another surreal musical heaven and was one of the first people privy to the title of the long-awaited new U2 album, set to release Nov. 23. Sitting in the Dublin studio with the larger-than-life rock stars, Bono played some snippets of music and then turned to his American friend and said he thought the title of the new album might be How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. “Do you know how we do that?” the Irishman asked knowingly. “No,” Michael offered. “Love, love, love,” Michael mimics Bono’s poetic answer, with his own attempt at an Irish brogue.
That exchange became the inspiration for Michael’s song “I Am Loved” (together with a viewing of The Passion of the Christ) on his new album, which Smitty penned with his Rocketown label-find artist and songwriter Taylor Sorenson. The two wrote the song in 15 minutes. (“My favorite songs are always the ones that happen that fast,” Smith says.)
But back in the Dublin studio, the surprises kept on coming as Michael was invited to sit in on a tracking session with U2 and lend his considerable talents on the B3 organ. While he’s not sure his part will actually make it onto the final album, at this point he doesn’t really care. Needless to say, it would be pretty hard to beat that kind of a memory. The song he jammed on, fittingly, honors another Nashvillian—Johnny Cash. Entitled “North Star,” the song celebrates The Man in Black’s unwavering, immovable faith. (“Just like the North Star,” Michael beams.)
Johnny Cash is just one in a slew of Michael’s legendary acquaintances and friends—presidents, governors, rock stars, movie stars—during his 20 years of music-making. But when asked who he’d still most love to meet face-to-face, Michael very decidedly says, “Nelson Mandela.” To be sure, it is likely his friendship with the crusading rock star (not to mention the President) that planted that seed—Bono’s ties with Africa and his desire to enlist the world in fighting the many plights that have beset the continent span two decades. But Michael’s no slouch when it comes to his own desire to save the world. Through the work of the Bono-founded DATA, Christian music’s grassroots movement AWAKE and Michael’s role as a Compassion International representative, he has been eager and faithful to lend his hand, voice and influence to help make a difference.
“I want to go to Africa so bad,” he laments. “We have to do something.” For his part, Michael included a plea for Africa on Healing Rain with the song “We Can’t Wait Any Longer” but is quick to point out it’s not even close to enough. “I’m speaking and trying to wake America up, but it’s still not enough for me. I need to go to Africa. I don’t need to just pour my money into it. It’s easy to give money. Just write a check all day and feel good. That’s what a lot of people do. But we’ve got to get our hands dirty.”
Considering the influence of his other friends in high places, one wonders if Mr. Smith really might want to go to Washington himself to make some of those kinds of changes. He has considered his own political aspirations. “I just honestly don’t know if I could do it,” he admits. “There is a part of me that would really want to do it because I think I could probably make a pretty good politician. I just don’t know if I could play that game; and to be in politics, to a certain degree, you’ve got to play the game.” But true to form, Michael’s not ruling anything out. “It would have to be a very loud call from God saying, ‘I want you to run for senator or governor,’” he laughs. “You know I don’t have any experience.” He then adds with a grin, “but neither did Arnold.”
