Mike Smith is a vocalist/guitarist that began his career as a solo artist back in the mid 2000's. Mike Smith incorporates Rock styles into his arrangements while drawing from the 80's Rock 'n Roll music scene. If the name Mike Smith looks familiar well that's because Mike is also the lead vocalist for an incredible Hard Rock band called 'Omega Highway'. The band saw its conception by Mike back in 1992. Over the years, Omega Highway has released a number of albums including (1992)-'Willing to Fight', (1999)-'LOVE', (2000)-'REST', (2001)-'Father of Lights', (2003)-'The Indescribable Gift', and (2013)-'The Road'. Omega Highway's 2013 release is highly recommend for those looking for some solid Hard Rock/Metal to add to their collection.
Mike Smith now has a number of solo projects to his credit including (2005)-'Give Me My Desire', (2008)-'Willing Inconvenience', (2011)-'I Am A Son', and (2018)-'The Table'.
In 2008 Mike Smith released his follow-up full-length studio album titled 'Willing Inconvenience' on an indie label. This 2008 solo project includes 13-tracks and will have fans of 'Omega Highway' sitting up and taking notice. 'Willing Inconvenience' leans strongly towards the Progressive Rock genre with a strong focus on praise oriented lyrics. This is a solid release for the band and features top notch vocals, tasty guitar licks, and piano work that draws comparison to that of Jonathan Cain(Journey). What many artist today don't understand is how the piano can not only add excitement but also build anticipation for what's to come next in the arrangements. Mike's piano driven style also draws comparison to an old favorite of mine vocalist/pianist-Steve Camp(Doing My Best).
When it comes to the meaning behind the album's cover art the band had the following to say: "The album cover is a picture of me walking out the door of convenience. Like the Bible says come out from among them and be separate. The empty plate is a sign of giving up pleasures even legal pleasures. Like giving up meals. Giving up sleep. Giving up personal time. Not pampering our flesh." - Mike Smith -
Some tracks that stand out on this 2008 release include track-2 "Willing to Lose My Life", track-4 "Radical Reaction", track-5 "You Gave Me Music", track-6 "I Want to Fall in Love", track-7 "Silly Fool", track-8 "Turn", track-9 "I'm Gonna", track-12 "Sons of God", and track-13 "O to Be a Friend".
Guitars are all managed by shredder-Mike Smith who draws from a proven bag of 80's style tricks and techniques to help bring this Rock project to life.
The skins are brought into submission by Mike's son percussionist-Justin Smith who handles drums on 4 different tracks including "Turn", "Out of the Box", "You Are My Passion", and "Friend of God".
One thing that really stands out about Mike Smith's projects is his commitment to writing
& producing songs with overtly Christ centered lyrics that are guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts.
& producing songs with overtly Christ centered lyrics that are guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts.
"Willing To Lose My Life"
I have lived a life
Of chasing other loves
And I've not found
Anything comparing to, the One
And only lover of my soul
All my life, I'll search for You
And You show me the way
To run this race
And I know what it takes
To breathe again
I'm willing to lose my life
That I might be found in You
I'm willing to sacrifice it all
I'm willing to close my eyes
That I might really see You God
I'm willing to die to live inside Your love
"Radical Reaction"
I have a radical reaction
Every time I lift my eyes
To gaze upon the wonder
Of the Bridegroom and the bride
And my heart can not contain this
Overwhelming mystery
How the God of all creation
Wants to give His heart to me
He wants to give His heart
And I am in love
Cause I have a love
And I am in love
Cause I have a love
"Silly Fool"
My mother came to me today
She told me how her life had changed
She said my daddy's moved away
She told me how she cried
She told me of the years she'd tried
And I didn't know what to say
I couldn't find the words to make it better
And everyone else says just be strong
And it won't be too long
Till time takes you in
And mends all your wounds
But these are lost and lonely words
Of the silly fool
My Savior came to me today
He told me how His life had changed
He said He died then He was raised
He told me how He cried
He told me He was crucified
And I didn't know what to say
I couldn't find the words to make it better
But all I know is
He makes me strong
and it won't be too long
Till He takes me in
And mends all my wounds
Cause He's the man who cried for
He's the man who tried and tried and tried for
He's the man who died for
The silly fool
"Turn"
I don't won't to live like the world anymore
Here my cry to You
I give my life to You
And I don't won't to care what people say
I won't a run with You
So here I come to You
And I turn
I turn around
From my sin I run
To the place where Your grace
Much more abounds
And I don't won't to sing
like the world anymore
I give my song to You
Cause I belong to You
And I don't won't a see
Like a mere man sees
I want to fly with You
I give my eyes to You
"Sons Of God"
The earth is groaning
And waiting, for the sons of God
To take their stand
Like a mother, in her labor
The earth travails
Until the kingdoms of this world
Become the kingdoms of our Lord
And let the sons of God arise
Let the Son of God
Find faith in the earth
Let the sons of God arise
Let the Son of God
Find faith in the earth
I have lived a life
Of chasing other loves
And I've not found
Anything comparing to, the One
And only lover of my soul
All my life, I'll search for You
And You show me the way
To run this race
And I know what it takes
To breathe again
I'm willing to lose my life
That I might be found in You
I'm willing to sacrifice it all
I'm willing to close my eyes
That I might really see You God
I'm willing to die to live inside Your love
"Radical Reaction"
I have a radical reaction
Every time I lift my eyes
To gaze upon the wonder
Of the Bridegroom and the bride
And my heart can not contain this
Overwhelming mystery
How the God of all creation
Wants to give His heart to me
He wants to give His heart
And I am in love
Cause I have a love
And I am in love
Cause I have a love
"Silly Fool"
My mother came to me today
She told me how her life had changed
She said my daddy's moved away
She told me how she cried
She told me of the years she'd tried
And I didn't know what to say
I couldn't find the words to make it better
And everyone else says just be strong
And it won't be too long
Till time takes you in
And mends all your wounds
But these are lost and lonely words
Of the silly fool
My Savior came to me today
He told me how His life had changed
He said He died then He was raised
He told me how He cried
He told me He was crucified
And I didn't know what to say
I couldn't find the words to make it better
But all I know is
He makes me strong
and it won't be too long
Till He takes me in
And mends all my wounds
Cause He's the man who cried for
He's the man who tried and tried and tried for
He's the man who died for
The silly fool
"Turn"
I don't won't to live like the world anymore
Here my cry to You
I give my life to You
And I don't won't to care what people say
I won't a run with You
So here I come to You
And I turn
I turn around
From my sin I run
To the place where Your grace
Much more abounds
And I don't won't to sing
like the world anymore
I give my song to You
Cause I belong to You
And I don't won't a see
Like a mere man sees
I want to fly with You
I give my eyes to You
"Sons Of God"
The earth is groaning
And waiting, for the sons of God
To take their stand
Like a mother, in her labor
The earth travails
Until the kingdoms of this world
Become the kingdoms of our Lord
And let the sons of God arise
Let the Son of God
Find faith in the earth
Let the sons of God arise
Let the Son of God
Find faith in the earth
If you are looking for some Rock music with a message that is truly inspired by the Lord then check out
what Mike Smith has delivered up with his 2008 release 'Willing Inconvenience'. Help support Mike Smith and Christian Rock music by picking up your copy of 'Willing Inconvenience' today!
what Mike Smith has delivered up with his 2008 release 'Willing Inconvenience'. Help support Mike Smith and Christian Rock music by picking up your copy of 'Willing Inconvenience' today!
Musicians:
Mike Smith(Omega Highway) - Lead Vocals & Lead Guitars
David Hood - Bass
Jason Clark - Keys
Jami Dixon - Backing Vocals
Justin Smith - Drums on "Turn", "Out of the Box", "You Are My Passion", "Friend of God"
Bobby Lott -Drums
Jason Parrent - Drums
Mike Smith(Omega Highway) - Lead Vocals & Lead Guitars
David Hood - Bass
Jason Clark - Keys
Jami Dixon - Backing Vocals
Justin Smith - Drums on "Turn", "Out of the Box", "You Are My Passion", "Friend of God"
Bobby Lott -Drums
Jason Parrent - Drums