Michael W. Smith - It's a Wonderful Christmas

Smitty's third holiday album was epic in scope, with four choirs and a 65-piece orchestra offering plenty of christmas grandeur. Close to half of the album is instrumental, which drew comparisons to 2000s Freedom. The vocal numbers like "The Promise" and "Christmas Morning" draw Smith's trademark personal touch. The album falls somewhere between 1989's christmas and 1998's Christmastime, utilizing the full sound of the backing groups to its greatest extent. In its best moments, the album exudes the same mastery of the adult contemporary sound as Jim Brickman's The Gift. Give credit to this contemporary christian vet for adding so richly to the christmas songbook at a point in his career that so few reach and at which even fewer make meaningful contributions to their respective genres. ~ Jared Johnson, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrew Dudman Recording Andrew Mendelson Mastering Bill Whittington Recording Bonnie Keen Vocals (Background) Carl Marsh Arranger Cindy Morgan Lyricist Dave Dillbeck Digital Editing, Recording David Davidson Violin David Hamilton Digital Editing, Piano, Organ (Hammond), Lyricist, Celeste, Synthesizer, Conductor, Producer, Arranger, Executive Producer David Schober Mixing Doug Sarrett Recording Eberhard Ramm Music Preparation Fred Paragano Recording Humberto Gatica Recording Isobel Griffiths Orchestra Contractor James Gregory Bass Jason McArthur A&R Jeff Cain Digital Editing Jeff Pitzer Recording John E. Coates Choir Director John Tobin Children's Choirmaster Jonas Myrin Lyricist Ken Johnson "Snakehips" & His West Indian Dance Band Production Coordination London Session Orchestra Orchestra Lori Casteel Music Preparation Lowell Reynolds Assistant Engineer Margie Morris Assistant Choir Director Mark Petaccia Assistant Engineer Michael Blanton Executive Producer Michael W. Smith Piano, Arranger, Executive Producer, Producer, Lyricist Michealle Vanderpool Hair Stylist, Make-Up Michelle Box A&R Mike Casteel Music Preparation Patti Thomas Choir Contractor Paul Liem Drums Perry Mason Concert Master Ric Domenico Music Preparation Ronn Huff Arranger Ronnie Brookshire Recording Ryan Smith Lyricist Sam Bacco Drums (Bass), Drums (Snare) Scrap Marshall Assistant Engineer Skip Cleavinger Bagpipes, Penny Whistle, Low Whistle Stephanie McBrayer Art Direction, Stylist Tim Parker Art Direction Tony Wood Lyricist Wes King Lyricist