THE MICHAEL CARD PAGE
Born in Nashville, Michael Card attended Western Kentucky University where he received a Masters in "Religious Studies". He studied under and was discipled by Biblical scholar William Lane, author of commentaries on Mark (NIC) and Hebrews (Word). Card considers all his music as a continuation of Lane's work. He is a member of a community church affiliated with the Presbyterian church (PCA).He grew up in a musical family. His mother was a classical violinist and his father a jazz trombonist. Michael mastered guitar and piano, and while attending college developed a close friendship with Bible scholar William Lane, who not only developed Michael's love of learning, but enlisted him to write songs for weekly sermons. Michael's friend Randy Scruggs recognized his talent and produced his 1981 debut, First Light. By 1983, Michael won a Dove Award for Songwriter of the Year and the now-classic "El Shaddai" was named Song of the Year.
In 1984, Michael signed with Sparrow, and immediately launched an ambitious album trilogy based on the life of Christ, Known by the Scars, Scandolon and The Final Word. 1988's Present Reality explored the Pauline mission, while 1989's Sleep Sound In Jesus, his first children's album, likewise won raves.
In 1989, Michael recorded the first and second parts of his trilogy on the writings Old Testament, The Beginning and The Way of Wisdom. In 1991 his first Christmas recording, The Promise, was released, and in 1992 he completed the Old Testament trilogy with the release of The Word: Recapturing the Imagination.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Michael is an accomplished author with four books to his credit. In addition to his most recent work, Come To The Cradle, Michael has also authored Sleep Sound In Jesus, a 1989 companion to his children's album, Immanuel: Reflections in the Life of Christ, and The Pro based on his Christmas album of the same name.
Living in rural Tennessee with his wife and four children, Michael lives a life richly blessed. Though he envisions a day when he may try his hand at other forms of ministry, Michael Card is confident he will always remain connected to the joys of music. Says Michael, "I think I'll always have something to say."
Of Card, friend, pastor and his co-author of "Unveiled Hope", Scotty Smith writes, "No one in Christian music is more committed to creatively and faithfully presenting the truths of Scripture. Only a small percentage of those who have listened to Mike's music through the years realize, however, that he would rather lead a small Bible study group than sing to a full auditorium. In his eyes, his talents as a musician are the equivalent of the apostle Paul's "tent making." By using them he is able to be about his greatest passion: teaching the Bible. How I thank God for Mike's "tent making" and his skill as a teacher. Both bring the Word to life."
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