This Is Your Time is Michael W. Smith's fourteenth studio album, released in 1999. All the songs from this album, except "This Is Your Time" and "This Is Your Time (Reprise)", were originally recorded for his previous studio album Live the Life, but did not make the final cut for the album.
The title track was inspired by the initial news report that Columbine shooting victim Cassie Bernall was killed for answering "yes" to the question "Do you believe in God?" Smith co-wrote the song with Wes King, having enlisted his help knowing that he wanted to write about Columbine but did not want to exploit a tragedy. The music video features a short video clip of Bernall talking about her religious beliefs and how she wanted to spread the word of God at the beginning.
Drums and percussion: Raymond Boyd, Eric Darken, Scott Williamson and Bryan LenoxBass guitar: Matt Pierson and Craig YoungElectric guitars: Chris Graffagnino, Mark Baldwin and Chris RodriguezAcoustic guitars: Wes King, Michael W. Smith, Chris Graffagnino, Mark Baldwin and Chris RodriguezPiano, Hammond B3 organ, lead vocals: Michael W. SmithKeyboards and programming: Michael W. Smith and Bryan LenoxIllyan pipes: Hunter LeeBagpipes: Jay Dawson, Mike Orrick and Greg CutcliffStrings by The Nashville String Machine; Ronn Huff: string arrangements and conductor; Carl Gorodetzsky: contractorAdditional strings by The Love Sponge Strings; arranged and contracted by David Davidson (5, 8, 10)Background vocals: Michael W. Smith (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10), John Elefante (2), Nik Kershaw (2), Chris Eaton (4, 11), Joanna Carlson (4), Whitney and Anna Smith (5), Lisa Bevill (7, 9), Bonnie Keen (9), Mark Pouge (9), Chris Rodriguez (9)The "Choir" (5, 6, 8): Natalie Grant, Darwin Hobbs, Tiffany Palmer, Dwayne Starling, Terry White, Angela Cruz, Leanne Palmore and Gale Mayes-WestThe "Franklin Boys Glee Club" (3): MWS, Bryan Lenox, Fred Paragano, Terry Flowers and Eric ElwellProductionProducers: Michael W. Smith and Bryan LenoxExecutive producers: Michael W. Smith and Michael BlantonEngineering and mixed by Bryan LenoxAdditional engineering: Patrick Kelly, Matt Weeks, Eric Elwell and Terry Flowers.Assistant engineers: Rob Burrell, Scott Lenox, Terry Flowers and Ron Jagger.Recorded at Deer Valley Studios and The Sound Kitchen (Franklin, TN).Strings recorded by Bryan Lenox at Ocean Way Nashville.(Nashville, TN), assisted by Chad Brown; The Sound Kitchen (Franklin, TN), assisted by Matt Weeks and Melissa Mattey.Pro Tools Engineering: Fred ParaganoMastering, editing and sequencing: Hank Williams at Master Mix (Nashville, TN).Production and technical coordination: Eric Elwell for MWS Productions.Production assistants: Alicia Claxton, Mary Adcock, Morgan Daneker, Whitney Smith, Surupa Mafhi and Terry Flowers.Photography: Ben PearsonLayout: Diana Lussenden
