# Go West Young Man (Michael W. Smith album)

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Go West Young Man is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Michael W. Smith, released on October 1, 1990, through Reunion. This record was his first attempt at mainstream success. It was successful, as it scored a Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit with "Place in This World", which peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1991.

## Background

Michael W. Smith most notably performed "Place in This World", which peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on Cash Box (#5 AC), and "For You" on various shows, for example The Arsenio Hall Show, to promote the album. The record was a mainstream crossover success for Smith and became a platinum album. Videos were produced for both singles released and received much radio airplay. Several of the songs from this album made it into his greatest hits album, The First Decade (1983-1993).

## Personnel

* Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, keyboards, keyboard programming, backing vocals (2), choir arrangements (6), acoustic piano (9)
* Mike Lawler – additional keyboards (1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10), Hammond B3 organ (5), programming (6, 10), synth bass (6, 10), drums (6, 10), percussion (6, 10), synth solo (7), keyboard programming
* Bryan Lenox – additional keyboards (1, 7), percussion (2–4, 6–10), drums (3, 4, 6, 7, 9), keyboard programming
* Trace Scarborough – keyboard programming
* Dann Huff – guitar (1–3, 6, 8, 9)
* Jerry McPherson – guitar (4, 5, 7, 9)
* Will Owsley – guitar (4), guitar solo (4)
* Chris Rodriguez – backing vocals (1, 2, 5, 10), guitar (10)
* Tommy Sims – bass guitar (1, 2, 5, 8), synth bass (4), stick bass (9), keyboard programming
* Matt Pierson – synth bass (3), fretless bass (7)
* Paul Leim – drums (1, 2, 5, 8), percussion (2)
* Terry McMillan – percussion (1–9)
* Mark Douthit – saxophones (1, 3, 4)
* Sam Levine – saxophones (2, 6)
* Barry Green – trombone (1–4), trombone solo (4)
* Chris McDonald – horn arrangements (1–4, 6), trombone (6)
* Mike Haynes – trumpet (1, 3, 4, 6)
* George Tidwell – trumpet (1)
* The Nashville String Machine – strings (3, 8, 9)
* Ronn Huff – string arrangements and conductor (3, 8, 9), choir arrangements (6)
* Carl Gorodetzsky – concertmaster and contractor (3, 8, 9)
* Chris Eaton – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 7)
* Wayne Kirkpatrick – backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 7, 10)
* Jimmy Marks – backing vocals (2)
* Chris Harris – backing vocals (4, 6, 7, 10)
* Vince Ebo – backing vocals (5)
* Vicki Hampton – backing vocals (5, 6)
* Africa Children's Choir – choir (6)
* Gertrude Kafeero – choir director (6)
* Darla Peters – tour leader (6)
* The American Boychoir – choir (9)
* Nathan Wadley – soloist (9)

## Production

* Executive Producers – Michael Blanton and Terry Hemmings
* Producer – Michael W. Smith
* Co-producer – Bryan Lenox
* Vocal Producer – Wayne Kirkpatrick
* Engineers – Bill Deaton, Pasquale Delvillagio, Pat Hutchinson, Gregg Jampol, Patrick Kelly, Brent King, Bryan Lenox, Don Martin, Dave Murphy, Rick Rowe, Bret Teegarden, and Bill Whittington.
* Mixed by Humberto Gatica
* Mix Assistants – David Parker and Alejandro Rodriguez
* Edited by Nick Palladino at Scene Three, Inc. (Nashville, TN).
* Mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Precision Disc Mastering (Hollywood, CA).
* A&R – Don Donahue and Richard Headen
* Art Direction – Buddy Jackson and Deb Rhodes
* Design – Beth Middleworth for Jackson Design
* Photography – Mark Tucker
* Styling – Mary Jane Starke
* MWS personal assistant – Elizabeth Leighton Jones

## Certifications

| Country | Peak | Sales | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
| Canada (CRIA) | n/a | 50,000 | Gold |
| United States (RIAA) | 74 | 1,000,000 | Platinum |

## Charts

| Chart (1991) | Position |
| US Billboard 200 | 74 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
| Year-end chart (1991) | Position |
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard) ("Place in This World") | 77 |
| Billboard Top Christian Albums | 1 |

## Accolades

GMA Dove Awards
| Year | Winner | Category |
| 1991 | Go West Young Man | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year |