Michael W Smith was one of the biggest artists to ever grace the stage at Easterfest, having been one of the defining artists of the contemporary christian music movement in the 1980’s.  

Along with his good friend Amy Grant, Michael had a significant impact on the genre, not just as a performer, but also as a songwriter and producer. 

But because of his commitment to his church at Easter, it took festival organisers 7 years to get Michael to sign on for the 2012 Easterfest.

We've dived into the 96five archives, with Liam Renton (96five breakfast/Australia's Hot 25 Countdown) in conversation with Michael W Smith in 2013.  It was recorded at the Christian Music Broadcaster's Momentum Conference in Florida.

You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify. 

Don’t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don’t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast. 

This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.  It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.  

You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the 96five podcast page on our website. 

Michael W Smith was one of the biggest artists to ever grace the stage at Easterfest, having been one of the defining artists of the contemporary christian music movement in the 1980&rsquo;s. &nbsp;
Along with his good friend Amy Grant, Michael had a significant impact on the genre, not just as a performer, but also as a songwriter and producer.&nbsp;
But because of his commitment to his church at Easter, it took festival organisers 7 years to get Michael to sign on for the 2012 Easterfest.
We've dived into the 96five archives, with Liam Renton (96five breakfast/Australia's Hot 25 Countdown) in conversation with Michael W Smith in 2013.&nbsp; It was recorded at the Christian Music Broadcaster's Momentum Conference in Florida.
You can keep those nostalgic vibes going with our special <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1u9mLRcvHgNEXSMlGq4ZLv?si=ADeaZc5WR0aQ2XLtG-ngww">Easterfest and AGMF playlist on Spotify</a>.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t forget to leave us a review with your favourite memory of the Easterfest and AGMF days, and don&rsquo;t be afraid to go hard with the five star ratings! Your ratings and reviews will help other people find the podcast.&nbsp;
This podcast is brought to you from the studios of 96five.&nbsp; It was written and presented by Justin Rouillon.&nbsp;&nbsp;
You can find more podcasts like this by searching for 96five in your podcast app, by downloading the 96five app from your app store, or going to the <a href="https://96five.com/podcasts/">96five podcast page</a> on our website.&nbsp;

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.

Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.

But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.

It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.

It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.

For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.
Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.
But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.
It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.
It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.
The Rise &amp; Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of 96five Studios.
For more podcasts with purpose, search for 96five in your podcast app or go to <a href="https://www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/">www.96five.com/listen/podcasts/</a>

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.

Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.

But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.

It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.

It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.

The Rise & Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of Brisbane's Rise 96.5.

For more podcasts with purpose, search for Rise 96.5 in your podcast app or go to rise965.com/podcasts

In the late 90's a group of Toowoomba business people, civic leaders and the city's church community come together with an audacious plan - stage a gospel music festival that will bring people into the city over the Easter weekend.
Despite humble beginnings, Easterfest (formerly the Australian Gospel Music Festival) grew to achieve major event status in Queensland, and became one of the largest ticketed drug and alcohol free events in the southern hemisphere.
But only a few years after their biggest event, Easterfest became yet another casualty of the music festival business.
It's been a decade since the final festival in 2015, and this podcast series will look back at how Easterfest grew to become a major player in Christian music internationally, and the events that led to the event coming to an end.
It's a celebration of almost two decades of music, community and a spirit of unity, with the story told by the organisers, volunteers and the musicians that graced the stages of Easterfest.
The Rise &amp; Fall of Easterfest is written and hosted by Justin Rouillon and is a production of Brisbane's Rise 96.5.
For more podcasts with purpose, search for Rise 96.5 in your podcast app or go to <a href="https://rise965.com/podcasts/">rise965.com/podcasts</a>