coffee, Guy Clark, Elvis (Costello), sunlight, Nick Lowe, Neil Young, Boo Hewerdine, Jackson Browne, the news, what particular shirt he has on at the time
Darden Smith put out his first album, yes, a genuine vinyl album, in 1986. Since then he has released 10 more. You would think he would have learned his lesson by now. 'Ojo', his first live recording, is the latest. In the ensuing 20 years of toil and trevail, he has toured a rediculous amount, playing every state except for Hawaii and South Dakota, playing to crowds as small as he and a bartender in Asbury Park, NJ to 9,000 adoring and lace-wrapped fans of Stevie Nicks when he opened her 1993 tour of the US. He's been on the Tonight Show a couple of times, Austin City Limits, and recently heard his song, 'Loving Arms' again in Home Depot. The peaks just keep getting higher.
Outside of what he considers his 'day job' of writing songs, making cds and touring, he has written music for dance theater, done commercials for radio and tv, and had songs placed on network tv. The Austin Symphony commissioned his work, "Grand Motion" in 1999. His newest theater piece, "Marathon," a collaboration with Austin writer/musician Jesse Sublett, is in production with the University of Texas Performing Arts Center.
In what began as a sideline/hobby, Darden's "Be An Artist Program" contiues to bring the message that "we are all artists, all we have to do is fall in love with something, and then do it" to children in schools, museums, festivals and institutions. Since its beginning in 2003, the program has been presented all across the US and UK. For more information, please visit www.be-an-artist.com.
When asked why he keeps at all this craziness, Darden recently responded, 'It's too late to become a shoe salesman, and where else can I get paid to do what I'd do if I didn't have to get paid?'
It's been a surreal journey indeed. Some of Darden's favorite bizarro show-biz moments include:
1) While opening for Dwight Yoakum in 1987, his bus ran over a fire hydrant in Tulsa, Oklahoma -- no one was driving, and it came to rest on top of a fire hydrant, flooding a hospital parking lot. He was on the front page of the paper the next day. Dwight was on the back page. Justice.
2) He put his head into a ceiling fan while onstage at the Cruise Cafe in Oslo, Norway. Blood went everywhere. What a showstopper!
3) Opening for the queen of peace and love (which she truly is!), Joan Baez, in Munich, Darden was yelled off the stage because the crazed Germans couldn't wait for Joan. And he thought he was going over pretty well. Being from Texas, he was a bit stunned, because though he's played some rough places, that was pretty darn intense. Later in the evening he set a personal record for cd sales at a gig. Sympathy sales he thinks.
4) He wrote songs on George Gershwin's piano. Didn't help. The song was still crap.
5) In 1989 he released a duo record with Boo Hewerdine. They got a deal after only knowing each other for 5 days and writing half a record. After the record,'Evidence' was released they jumped all the middle career parts and did a brief farewell tour.
There's more great moments. As Darden remembers them, he'll update the bio.
For more on Darden Smith, please visit www.dardensmith.com.
For a more professionally written and show-biz type bio, visit dardensmith.com.
Hmmm...I'll be in the states when you're in Scotland and in Ireland when you're in the states this summer. Blast!! Thanks for the add, worth waiting for, and I hope to see you in Texas!
We appreciate the add Darden. Have enjoyed your music for a long time and think you are a great writer. If you have a chance check out our new cd "Full Moon Night" at www. rockersband. com. Thanks again. The Rockers.
Hey Darden, you're finally back up in my neck of the woods!!(Massachusetts area) Are you working some programs in the schools in Cambridge & Lexington?? Lexington private house party(jealous!!) I hope you make a swing by during the year, loved getting to see you up here in cow hampshire(only kidding)a couple years back, it was intense getting to see a performer of your excellence(god, I walked in with you and a buddy of mine that night, you pulled up your white caddy, so cool, & you sitting around the tables and chairs with everyone watching the opening act, that little coffee house vibe. Hope all is well with Darden.
yo how are you doing? your myspace is looking nice! anyhow, i just found some sweet new tones off www.hottones.info for FREE! they have the coolest variety!
I want to tell you that I have just finished my new album. "Freedom".
This recording features performances from some great guest artists, Tony Visconti plays bass on a couple of tracks. David Hykes from the Harmonic Choir is on 2 tracks and many more of my talented friends from my long history of record making have helped me to make this album.
I am currently looking for exposure in the USA. I have been asked to do a tour of the US and Canada with Buffy Sainte-Marie as her guitarist later this year. There's a good chance that I will get to do the opening spot for her show during the tour. This would be good promo for my record.
The CONCERT FOR HOPE & AWARENESS returns to Pittsburgh!
Please join us for the 2nd annual Concert for Hope & Awareness, an evening filled with great acoustic music from a group of incredibly talented national and local singer-songwriters, all brought together to raise awareness about ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to benefit our friend Eric Lowen.
The concert begins at 5:30 at ELIXIR Ultralounge, 15th & East Carson Street on Pittsburgh's South Side. This year's line up includes a special appearance from Darden Smith who released the hit "Loving Arms". Also performing for the 2nd year in a row is Dan Navarro of Lowen & Navarro, and Pittsburgh's own Brad Yoder. And, we are pleased to include two new very talented local singer-songwriters, John Vento and Stephen Christopher.
Hey Darden, I just noticed you were online. Wish we could have our paths cross more often. Keep up the great work...Kelly sends her love as well. Ciao, Rex
Being a TEXAS NATIVE has had benefits. I ran around with Townes in the early 80's. Took advice from Lightin' Hopkins. Nearly got the @#$& beat out of me by one of the greatest Texas Musicians... Doug Sahm. Played Austin - Got Paid in Austin - 20 days of the month average for 10 years
I say this all the time... *if you can't make a living playing music... You should at least be influential! MFG
