Given that I went to Baylor, the largest private Baptist university in the world, it seems peculiar that, off the top of my head (and without Googling), I can name more Satanic Metal bands than Christian artists. Ready? Here we go!

Devil bands Christian artists

Morbid Angel Stryper

Marduk Michael W. Smith

Dark Funeral Vince Gill’s wife

Mayhem Stephen somebody

Brujeria

Carcass

Celtic Frost

Deicide

Dark Funeral

(I can keep going awhile)

I’d say “shame on me” but my fascination with devil bands has nothing to do with the music or message but rather their “corpse makeup” and unintentionally hilarious song titles — most of which can’t be printed here.

But let’s accentuate the positive. In this case, Michael W. Smith, who performs a music and worship concert Saturday at the Garde in New London. Smith is a huge star in Christian music and might be thought of as the Bono of the genre. In fact, he’s friends with Bono, who appeared on a multi-guest collaborative Christmas album Smith put together.

But that’s hardly all of Smith’s estimable achievements, which include three Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, 45 (!) Dove Awards, 31 chart-topping singles and five platinum albums. He’s also written or co-authored 14 bestselling inspirational books.

Brujeria is not opening the show. Instead, that would be Jon Reddick.

Michael W. Smith, 7 p.m. Saturday, Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London; $14.38-$134.75; www,gardearts.org, (860) 444-7373.