|PIC1|This year is looking to be just as incredible for Michael W Smith as 2008 as the veteran worship leader gears up for the release of A New Hallelujah - The Live Worship DVD on March 17.

The new live DVD accompanies the A New Hallelujah CD, Smith’s third album which was released last October to rave reviews and became one of the top-selling records of 2008.

Recorded live in front of 12,000 people and a 250-voice choir, the A New Hallelujah live DVD offers a powerful 90-minute worship experience. Several special guests added to the magic at the recording night in Houston last summer, including the African Children's Choir and 2008 Grammy Award-winner, Israel Houghton.

The DVD features all 13 songs from A New Hallelujah, plus four new tracks and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage.

Steve Gilreath, the DVD's director, notes: "This project truly makes you feel like you were in the room that night, and the high definition quality only adds to the experience. It's amazing how you can feel the room ebb and flow as the evening progresses. This really is more of an 'experience' project than a standard DVD."

After more than 25 years in the music industry, Michael W Smith shows no signs of slowing down. His first worship album, simply titled Worship, went on to release more than a 1.5 million copies following its 2001 release. That was followed up in 2002 with Worship Again, which has sold nearly 800,000. And in February this year, Smith was just inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Smith is in London on 1 March to launch his DVD at a free worship event at All Souls Langham Place, 7.45pm.