The Big Picture (Michael W. Smith album)

The Big Picture
Studio album by Michael W. Smith
Released	February 1, 1986
Recorded	1985
Studio	Power Station, Mediasound and Sigma Sound (New York City, New York) Bullet Recording and Emerald Sound (Nashville, Tennessee) The Bennett House and The Castle (Franklin, Tennessee) Blue Jay Recording (Carlisle, Massachusetts)
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	[1]
Jesus Freak Hideout	[2]

The Big Picture is the third album by contemporary Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, released in 1986 on Reunion Records.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.