The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)

The Big Picture is the third album by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986 on Reunion Records. The title comes from "Pursuit of the Dream," in which it is heard a few times, but also applies to the variety of themes for young people to learn about from the songs. That track instructs on pursuing goals, and other themes include the folly of escapism ("Lamu"), sexual abstinence before marriage ("Old Enough to Know"), and maintaining a positive self image ("You're Alright"). Track 9. "Tearing Down The Wall" opens with a reverse snippet of Amy Grant's "Emmanuel". The Big Picture was ranked at number 21 on CCM Magazine's 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Smith won a GMA Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 18th GMA Dove Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Male at the 29th Grammy Awards.

The Big Picture
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released	February 1, 1986
Recorded	1985
Studio	Power Station, New York City Mediasound, New York City Sigma Sound, New York City Soundtrack, New York City Bullet, Nashville Emerald Sound, Nashville Bennett House, Franklin The Castle, Franklin Blue Jay, Carlisle
Genre	Contemporary Christian music
Length	50:39
Label	Reunion
Producer	Michael W. Smith, John Potoker
Michael W. Smith chronology
Michael W. Smith 2 (1984) The Big Picture (1986) The Live Set (1987)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Jesus Freak Hideout

Track listing

• All songs written by Michael W. Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick, except where noted.

CD release

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Lamu"	Smith, Kirkpatrick, Amy Grant	5:55
2.	"Wired for Sound"		6:00
3.	"Old Enough to Know"		4:47
4.	"Pursuit of the Dream"		5:11
5.	"Rocketown"		4:32
6.	"Voices"		5:50
7.	"The Last Letter"		4:37
8.	"Goin' Thru the Motions"		4:55
9.	"Tearin' Down the Wall"		3:35
10.	"You're Alright"	Smith, Kirkpatrick, Chris Rodriguez	4:36
11.	"Coda" (Hidden track)	Smith	0:41

Personnel

• Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, drum programming
• Shane Keister – keyboards, Fairlight programming, drum programming
• Steve Schaffer, with Music Resources – Synclavier programming
• Dann Huff – guitars
• Eddie Martinez – guitars
• Nick Moroch – guitars
• Chris Rodriguez – guitars, backing vocals
• Tony Levin – bass, stick bass
• Gary Lunn – bass, drum programming
• Steve Ferrone – drums
• David Huff – drums, drum programming
• Frank Doyle – drum programming
• Mark Kovac – drum programming
• John Potoker – drum programming
• Bashiri Johnson – percussion
• Michael Brecker – saxophones
• Jim Pugh – trombone
• Randy Brecker – trumpet
• Chris Harris – backing vocals
• Wayne Kirkpatrick – backing vocals

Backing vocals on "Voices"

• Lisa Bevill, Bridgett Evans, Chris Harris, Marty McCall, Philippe Saisse, Leah Taylor and Tammy Taylor

Production

• Producers – Michael W. Smith and John Potoker
• Executive Producers – Michael Blanton, Dan Harrell and Brown Bannister
• Engineer and Mixing – John Potoker
• Assistant Engineers – James "JB" Baird, Spencer Chrislu, Mike Clute, Ken Criblez, Nick Delre, Jeffrey Dovener, Rob Feaster, Jim Goldberger, Ed Goodreau, Tim Hattfield, Bill Heath, Keith Odell, Clarke Schleicher, Bob Vogt and Tony Volante.
• Recorded at The Power Station, Mediasound, Sigma Sound and Soundtrack (New York, NY); Bullet Recording and Emerald Sound (Nashville, TN); The Bennett House and The Castle (Franklin, TN); Blue Jay Recording (Carlisle, MA).
• Mixed at Blue Jay Recording (Carlisle, MA).
• Mastering – Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
• Production Coordinator – Kimberly Smith
• Art Direction and Design – Kent Hunter and Thomas Ryan
• Photography – Beverly Ann Moore
• Grooming – Jody Morlock and Julie Miller Overstreet
• Child on album cover – Christopher Copeland

Chart performance

Chart (1986)	Peak position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)	2

Accolades

GMA Dove Awards

Year	Winner	Category
1987	The Big Picture	Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year