Christian music scheduled next at Show Me Center

The Show Me Center has announced its first concert of 2005, with one of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music headlining.

The concert is set for 7 p.m. May 7 and will be part of Michael W. Smith's "Healing Rain" tour.

This will be the venue's first concert since the Trans-Siberian Orchestra played there in November. Show Me Center marketing assistant Shannon Buford said he thinks the concert will be a popular one.

"Michael W. Smith has a lot of name recognition," Buford said. "He's a three-time Grammy winner, and he's been a top Christian songwriter for the last few years."

In addition to his Grammy awards, Smith has won 40 Dove awards (awarded to Christian musicians) for the work he's produced since his first album, "Michael W. Smith Project," debuted in 1983. His music has also appeared on mainstream radio, and he boasts career sales of more than 10 million albums and 28 No. 1 Christian songs.

He'll be joined by Christian inspirational/adult contemporary trio Selah. The group has won three Dove awards, two for inspirational album of the year and one for traditional recorded gospel song.

Also joining the tour will be Watermark. The adult contemporary duo has released four albums since 1998, when their self-titled debut hit stores, and has had five No. 1 singles on inspirational and adult contemporary charts.

Tickets are tentatively scheduled to go on sale March 21. Opportunities for group ticket ordering are available. To order, call the Show Me Center box office at 651-5000.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182