One of my favorite things about browsing Goodwill is that you never know what you’ll find. Sometimes it’s a CD that’s already in my collection. Other times, it’s something special.
This week I found Michael W. Smith’s The First Decade (1983–1993) sitting all by itself on top of the CD shelf. There was just one catch—it didn’t have a case. I figured it was worth taking to the register anyway, and the cashier smiled and marked it down to just 70 cents.
For less than a dollar, I brought home a greatest hits collection featuring two of Michael W. Smith’s biggest crossover successes: “Place in This World,” which reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “I Will Be Here for You,” which climbed to #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Those songs will soon be joining the playlist on 90s Plus Radio, and I can’t wait to share them with our listeners.
Bonus Music Memory
Finding this CD instantly took me back to my late teens when I had the opportunity to see Michael W. Smith twice, both in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The first concert was at the Charlotte Coliseum, where I went with my pastor’s son. At the time, the Coliseum was one of the premier concert venues in the Carolinas, hosting everyone from major touring artists to sporting events and family shows. The arena served Charlotte for nearly 20 years before it was demolished in 2007, following the opening of what is now the Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte. Although the building is gone, I’ll always remember seeing one of my favorite Christian artists perform there.
The second time I saw Michael W. Smith was part of an event I’ll never forget.
In late September 1996, he performed during the Carolinas Billy Graham Crusade at the brand-new Ericsson Stadium, the new home of the Carolina Panthers (now Bank of America Stadium). The crusade was a historic event. Over four nights, more than 330,000 people attended, supported by over 25,000 volunteers from 900 churches representing 54 denominations. It also became Billy Graham’s final official crusade in his hometown of Charlotte.
The timing made the event even more memorable. Ericsson Stadium had only recently opened, and Billy Graham had participated in the stadium’s dedication ceremonies just weeks earlier. Seeing the stadium packed for something other than a football game was incredible.
Regardless of your religious background, it was impossible not to be impressed by Billy Graham’s ability to connect with such a massive crowd. Watching thousands of people gathered together in a brand-new NFL stadium was an unforgettable experience, and it’s easy to understand why his crusades became such an important part of American history.
Looking back, I’m thankful I had the chance to experience both concerts. One was a traditional arena show at the old Charlotte Coliseum, and the other was part of a historic event in the brand-new home of the Carolina Panthers. They were completely different experiences, but both are memories I’ll always treasure.
It’s amazing how a 70-cent thrift store CD can bring back so many wonderful memories.
Have you ever found a CD, record, or cassette that instantly transported you back to a special time in your life? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.