Billy Smith

CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE LEFT TO WATCH A CLIP.

Singer/guitarist Billy Smith carries the repertoire of most of the first generation bluegrass music pioneers around in his head and heart—the natural result of growing up onstage and performing with artists like the Father of Bluegrass Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt and Jimmy Martin.  Billy’s mother, Hazel Smith is a well-known country music journalist and television cooking show host and his brother, Terry plays bass in the IBMA Entertainer of the Year band, The Grascals, but Billy himself is most known as an award-winning songwriter.

Smith’s compositions have been recorded by Bill Monroe, The Del McCoury Band, Dan Tyminski, The Osborne Brothers, The Lonesome River Band, IIIrd Tyme Out and The Lewis Family, among others—more than 80 cuts so far.  The hit song, “Hobo Blues,” recorded by The Lonesome River Band on their Carrying the Tradition album (named Bluegrass Album of the Year in 2001), was Smith’s first major cut.

Billy grew up near Reidsville, North Carolina, playing music with his dad, Pat Smith, a popular old-time fiddler.  When he sings, Billy brings to mind soulful classic vocalists like Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley and Del McCoury with a twist uniquely his own.  Like Craig, he has a natural ability to connect with an audience and a free-wheeling sense of humor that translates well at different venues—everywhere from large concert halls and social events to clubs, musical programs at a local shelter for the homeless and special music at his church, where he is a deacon.