1 00:00:02,730 --> 00:00:05,729 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Michael, thanks for joining me. 2 00:00:06,230 --> 00:00:06,710 Speaker 2: How are you? 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:08,430 Speaker 1: Doing well, Michael W. 4 00:00:08,450 --> 00:00:09,890 Speaker 2: Smith. You're looking good. 5 00:00:10,190 --> 00:00:12,550 Speaker 1: Thanks so much. You are as well, Michael W. Smith, 6 00:00:12,570 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: executive producer of the new movie, Daniel and the Fiery Furnace. Michael, 7 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:17,780 Speaker 1: what made you want to be a part of this? 8 00:00:17,820 --> 00:00:18,680 Speaker 1: What made you say yes? 9 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:21,800 Speaker 2: It's all my son's fault, Tyler. 10 00:00:23,340 --> 00:00:23,900 Speaker 1: Keep on going. 11 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:26,659 Speaker 2: Well, I remember he told me, he said, hey, dad, 12 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: I just got the job because he's a composer and 13 00:00:31,490 --> 00:00:33,110 Speaker 2: He said, I got the job to score Daniel and 14 00:00:33,130 --> 00:00:35,910 Speaker 2: the Fiery Furnace. I went, that's awesome. That's amazing. So 15 00:00:36,670 --> 00:00:40,020 Speaker 2: he's busy doing stuff, doing stuff for Lifeway, doing another 16 00:00:40,060 --> 00:00:42,979 Speaker 2: film for Hallmark, whatever. But I was at my studio 17 00:00:43,060 --> 00:00:46,379 Speaker 2: one day, it's like eight months ago. And I heard 18 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:49,620 Speaker 2: this music coming. He was up here working upstairs in 19 00:00:49,690 --> 00:00:52,490 Speaker 2: one of the rooms at the studio. And the music 20 00:00:52,570 --> 00:00:55,970 Speaker 2: was just epic. So I ran upstairs and went, Tyler, 21 00:00:56,050 --> 00:00:59,510 Speaker 2: what is that? He said, oh, I'm scoring this battle scene. 22 00:01:00,150 --> 00:01:03,210 Speaker 2: from Daniel. I said, can I see it? And it 23 00:01:03,250 --> 00:01:08,490 Speaker 2: was like, it was, it was off the chart. I went, Tyler, 24 00:01:08,510 --> 00:01:10,750 Speaker 2: that's great. And then I just began to realize, well, 25 00:01:10,770 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 2: this movie's going to be, if that's any indication of 26 00:01:14,330 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 2: what this movie's going to be like, this, this could 27 00:01:17,220 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 2: play well. And so, I was just going to be 28 00:01:20,260 --> 00:01:23,820 Speaker 2: on the red carpet supporting my son, you know, just 29 00:01:23,860 --> 00:01:26,500 Speaker 2: being a proud dad. And then, you know, the whole 30 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,380 Speaker 2: team from the picture, the Cooman brothers, just, just, asking 31 00:01:30,500 --> 00:01:32,540 Speaker 2: if I would be involved. Can we be involved as 32 00:01:32,580 --> 00:01:35,339 Speaker 2: an executive producer? And so I said, yes. And so 33 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:35,740 Speaker 2: here I am. 34 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 1: Of course, one of the themes of the movie and 35 00:01:38,260 --> 00:01:40,179 Speaker 1: one of the themes of the Bible story as well 36 00:01:40,220 --> 00:01:44,160 Speaker 1: is standing firm in your faith, trusting God and, you know, 37 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: going against the grain. Why do you think that's a 38 00:01:46,459 --> 00:01:49,020 Speaker 1: message needed in today's society? 39 00:01:50,060 --> 00:01:54,170 Speaker 2: Well, you probably could say that through every decade or whatever, 40 00:01:54,250 --> 00:01:57,370 Speaker 2: but yeah, but there's a lot of stuff going on, 41 00:01:57,650 --> 00:02:00,170 Speaker 2: you know, I mean, the bad's getting worse. The good's 42 00:02:00,210 --> 00:02:00,770 Speaker 2: getting better. 43 00:02:00,930 --> 00:02:01,630 Speaker 1: It's all in the book. 44 00:02:02,170 --> 00:02:05,110 Speaker 2: Wheat and tares. I mean, there's so many good things 45 00:02:05,150 --> 00:02:08,910 Speaker 2: going on with this next generation. I just think it's 46 00:02:08,940 --> 00:02:12,660 Speaker 2: just going to invigorate and even inspire these. I think 47 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,419 Speaker 2: everybody's going to enjoy it. But I keep thinking about 48 00:02:15,460 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 2: this next generation of kids. You know all this, but 49 00:02:17,220 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: there's great revivals breaking out in these college campuses. And 50 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:21,140 Speaker 2: so I think these kids are going to watch this 51 00:02:21,180 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 2: movie going, we will stand up. We will not bend 52 00:02:24,060 --> 00:02:26,540 Speaker 2: the knee. We will not bend the knee. We serve 53 00:02:26,580 --> 00:02:27,770 Speaker 2: only one God and one God only. 54 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:29,370 Speaker 1: Amen to that. Well, I was going to ask you 55 00:02:29,380 --> 00:02:31,850 Speaker 1: about that because I've read your quotes. You think that 56 00:02:31,889 --> 00:02:34,470 Speaker 1: we are on the verge of something, especially among Gen Z. 57 00:02:35,290 --> 00:02:38,610 Speaker 1: What are you seeing and what makes you excited about 58 00:02:39,070 --> 00:02:41,690 Speaker 1: that possibility? You mentioned the college campuses, of course. 59 00:02:41,750 --> 00:02:44,470 Speaker 2: Well, I just think there's a revival going on. We 60 00:02:44,530 --> 00:02:47,899 Speaker 2: pray for that forever. I mean, we pray for this 61 00:02:47,940 --> 00:02:49,680 Speaker 2: kind of move of God. I saw it in the 62 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: 70s because I was a part of the Jesus movement. 63 00:02:53,220 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 2: But wow. I mean, there's something shifting. I mean, there's 64 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: no doubt. I've been all around the world. It's not 65 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 2: only happening in America, but it's happening in Europe and 66 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 2: all around the world, for sure. 67 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: Well, let's talk about one sign of that. You went 68 00:03:07,740 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: to a Forest Frank concert. 69 00:03:09,460 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 2: I did. 70 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:13,150 Speaker 1: I went as well this summer, and I was blown away. 71 00:03:13,630 --> 00:03:16,590 Speaker 1: What was the experience like from your side? Because for 72 00:03:16,630 --> 00:03:20,169 Speaker 1: those who haven't gone to one, it's a stadium full 73 00:03:20,210 --> 00:03:22,970 Speaker 1: of tweens and teens. It's amazing. What do you think? 74 00:03:32,830 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 2: Oh, it was remarkable. I mean, I had a really 75 00:03:36,400 --> 00:03:38,779 Speaker 2: great time hanging out with Forrest. It was really good. 76 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 2: We'd really never connected, so we hung out for about 77 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,420 Speaker 2: an hour before the show. But yeah, it was just incredible. 78 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 2: I mean, just, you can't, it's like an enigma. You know, 79 00:03:48,340 --> 00:03:51,260 Speaker 2: it's like, I don't think you can get a bunch 80 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,250 Speaker 2: of people in a room and you've got to take 81 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:55,650 Speaker 2: this guy who's super talented and this is what we're 82 00:03:55,670 --> 00:03:58,190 Speaker 2: going to do. I don't think you could ever do it. 83 00:03:58,850 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 2: that with him. He just, it just connected. I mean, 84 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 2: I don't know what to say. I mean, it's such 85 00:04:05,420 --> 00:04:08,180 Speaker 2: a God thing. And I've never been in an arena 86 00:04:08,260 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: and hearing six to 14 year olds singing all the 87 00:04:11,920 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 2: songs like a kid's choir. It wasn't U2 or Coldplay. 88 00:04:15,260 --> 00:04:17,260 Speaker 2: It was like, and they knew every word to every song, 89 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 2: every word to every song. I mean, and to watch 90 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,810 Speaker 2: him be, he's so bold. I just, I really like him. 91 00:04:24,390 --> 00:04:27,030 Speaker 2: I think he's got it dialed in and I mean, 92 00:04:27,050 --> 00:04:30,830 Speaker 2: I always worry about people who, when the success goes, 93 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:33,360 Speaker 2: you know, when it goes that fast, you know, it's like, 94 00:04:34,060 --> 00:04:37,860 Speaker 2: it's just, if you're not careful, it can be too 95 00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 2: much for you. I think he's got it. And I 96 00:04:40,700 --> 00:04:43,729 Speaker 2: think he's, I think he's going to be okay. But yeah, 97 00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:45,730 Speaker 2: to watch him and just, he just gets up there, 98 00:04:45,770 --> 00:04:48,089 Speaker 2: just sharing the Christ and kids are getting saved every night. 99 00:04:48,830 --> 00:04:50,540 Speaker 2: I've never seen anything like it. 100 00:04:50,830 --> 00:04:53,500 Speaker 1: You play it. It's a stadium full of young people 101 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:54,979 Speaker 1: bold in their faith, kind of like what we're talking 102 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:58,220 Speaker 1: about in this movie. It's just, it's so encouraging to watch. Well, 103 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:01,380 Speaker 1: particularly for someone who helped launch the modern CCM movement, though, 104 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,170 Speaker 1: what does it mean to you just from a musical perspective, 105 00:05:04,190 --> 00:05:07,450 Speaker 1: from a Christian music perspective, to see someone like him 106 00:05:07,830 --> 00:05:08,810 Speaker 1: drawing crowds like that? 107 00:05:10,029 --> 00:05:13,290 Speaker 2: Well, I don't know if I started the CCM thing. 108 00:05:13,750 --> 00:05:15,510 Speaker 1: You were one of the first, but anyway, keep on going. 109 00:05:15,550 --> 00:05:19,990 Speaker 2: No, I mean, I'm happy for those people, especially if 110 00:05:20,050 --> 00:05:24,820 Speaker 2: they're If it's not about them, you know, I have 111 00:05:24,860 --> 00:05:30,750 Speaker 2: a little issue sometimes with celebrities. And I just think 112 00:05:30,790 --> 00:05:32,930 Speaker 2: we've got to be so careful. Gosh, we've got to 113 00:05:32,950 --> 00:05:36,110 Speaker 2: be careful. But to watch, I think he's got a 114 00:05:36,150 --> 00:05:39,950 Speaker 2: pure heart and to watch him fill these arenas. And 115 00:05:40,890 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 2: I think his number one goal deep down inside his heart, 116 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:45,900 Speaker 2: he's supposed to see his kids get saved. I mean, 117 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:49,440 Speaker 2: that's a lot to congratulate somebody for. And he's got 118 00:05:49,460 --> 00:05:53,190 Speaker 2: a good team around him. Pastors and the whole deal. 119 00:05:53,750 --> 00:05:56,180 Speaker 2: But I think it's exciting. I think it's exciting for our, 120 00:05:56,290 --> 00:05:57,750 Speaker 2: if I can say this in the purest way, I 121 00:05:57,770 --> 00:06:02,170 Speaker 2: think it's exciting for the genre. Because Christian music, gospel music, 122 00:06:03,170 --> 00:06:05,490 Speaker 2: what are we doing this thing for? If we're doing 123 00:06:05,510 --> 00:06:07,910 Speaker 2: it for all the right reasons, we want to see 124 00:06:07,950 --> 00:06:09,969 Speaker 2: a move of God. We want to see people get saved. 125 00:06:10,010 --> 00:06:12,770 Speaker 2: We want to see people get healed. And to see 126 00:06:12,830 --> 00:06:17,010 Speaker 2: revival come. And say to ourselves every day, as artists 127 00:06:17,050 --> 00:06:19,190 Speaker 2: on this stage, it's not about us. This is not 128 00:06:19,230 --> 00:06:22,160 Speaker 2: about us. I said in an interview, I got a 129 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:24,430 Speaker 2: lot of hits on it and I don't do stuff 130 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,270 Speaker 2: for hits. I don't really get on social media. I 131 00:06:26,290 --> 00:06:28,630 Speaker 2: try not to get on it. But I said something 132 00:06:28,670 --> 00:06:31,710 Speaker 2: and it kind of lit up the social deal. I 133 00:06:31,730 --> 00:06:33,690 Speaker 2: was with Michael Olson, my friend, and he said, we 134 00:06:34,650 --> 00:06:37,349 Speaker 2: were talking about the whole worship thing. And he looked 135 00:06:37,410 --> 00:06:39,100 Speaker 2: at me, he said, you know what? He says, God 136 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:43,860 Speaker 2: doesn't share his glory with anybody. I would never, I mean, 137 00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 2: my knees kind of buckled because I got convicted, honestly. 138 00:06:47,660 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 2: And he was right. So, I didn't mean to get 139 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:52,540 Speaker 2: carried away on all that because you asked me about Forrest, 140 00:06:52,580 --> 00:06:54,280 Speaker 2: but I think Forrest has got it dialed in. I'm 141 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 2: excited for him, and I think it's awesome. 142 00:06:58,630 --> 00:07:01,290 Speaker 3: If you enjoyed today's interview, please make sure to subscribe 143 00:07:01,350 --> 00:07:03,690 Speaker 3: and share the episode with a friend. A big thanks 144 00:07:04,010 --> 00:07:06,210 Speaker 3: to the team at Life Audio for their partnership with 145 00:07:06,350 --> 00:07:09,690 Speaker 3: us on the podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you 146 00:07:09,710 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 3: will find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. 147 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:15,420 Speaker 1: See you next time.