KARI SMITH
vocals, keys, acoustic guitar
and booking, marketing, web team, and everything else! ;)
Influences
My influences are from all different genres of music, so although my music has an "alternative country" label, it has a pretty diverse sound! My favorite musicians are just as diverse, and range from George Strait, Patty Griffin, Mindy Smith, Gavin Degraw, Ray LaMontagne, Sara Bareilles, Emily West, Alicia Keys and Alison Krauss - to name a few!
Buy Kari's Nashville debut CD "Gypsy of Love"
Buy Kari's self-titled CD (10 songs)
Buy Kari's EP "go with you" (6 songs)
Sounds Like
Me! There are SO many styles of music that I enjoy, and so few styles that I don't listen to, so what I do is a combination of pretty much everything! I really enjoy mellow music when the time calls for it, but I also love to rock it out. I love bluesy stuff, I REALLY love a good beat in R&B or hip-hop. I sing a lot of country (hey - I live in Nashville!) but I try to bring a unique sound to it that's a little bit less 'vanilla' than you might expect! If you hear me sing covers, expect to hear Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Patty Griffin, The Eagles, Sam Cooke... and my originals are just as diverse! Enjoy...
(in the video above) kari singing an original song "not giving up yet"
(in the video above) kari singing a johnny cash cover "i still miss someone"
Nashville-based Kari Smith gathers crowds with her fresh vocal style and contagious smile, whether it’s local fans in a crowded coffee shop, or on stage performing for thousands. Rather than waiting to be discovered, Kari finds her audience in local and regional venues, and fills her time outside of performing with writing, recording, and teaching music. In addition to solo acoustic performances, Kari performs with other bands in a variety of genres as a vocalist, keyboardist, and rhythm guitarist. Through these experiences, she has had the opportunity to share the stage with such national acts as Huey Lewis & the News, Sugar Ray, and Switchfoot. Her powerful rendition of the National Anthem has been heard at Richmond Braves games, concerts including The Doobie Brothers and Hootie & The Blowfish, the Extreme Fighting Championship in Richmond, VA’s Coliseum, sporting events at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena in Nashville, TN, and the Toughest Cowboy rodeo in Nashville’s arena, The Sommet Center.
"As a vocalist, Kari is mature beyond her years," says producer Matthew Roberts. In 2005, she independently released EP "go with you", including the bluesy, driving rhythm of "I Call It Love," which was featured in independent film "Middle of the Road" (August 2005, Red Cactus Films). Producer John Henneberger says that her writing is “superb and reflects that of a seasoned veteran while maintaining a freshness in approach needed in today's musical landscape." In August 2006, she followed up with an independently released full-length album, self-titled "Kari". Her third record will be released in December 2008 by Music Row producer / engineer Dennis Money on independent label Vanillity Music.
Her first TV appearance in October 2007 featured an acoustic performance of her original music on PBS show “The Music Seen”, and her first network appearance on CBS’s “Virginia This Morning” aired in January 2008.
Kari made the move from Richmond, VA to Nashville, TN in 2006 to further her pursuit of performing and writing. She also holds an AA in Liberal Arts. Kari is a member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers.)
Just stopping by to wish you a very happy and merry Christmas with lots of joy and fun (plus some relaxation). I hope you are well and having a lovely weekend. XXXX
I hope you are ok and having a great day. It is sunny here but cold, very cold. I have spent much of this afternoon making cards once again for Christmas. Got a couple of presents still to wrap then that is it. I cannot believe how quickly Christmas is approaching. It will be over before we know it. Must play some nice Christmas songs later on. Take care.
My new record just came out this week on I-Tunes and CD Baby. An exclusive video and link to the new album is featured on my myspace blog. Please leave us some feedback to let us know what you think! Thanks for your support.
-Ray Stephenson
PS: This album would make a great stocking stuffer ;)
Hello , Passing by to wish you an AWESOME weekend my friend! Holiday Season is right around the corner... May it be filled with much Joy and Happiness.. Thank you for all your support!!! Much REspect Melody
Hiya I hope you are ok and have had a good day. Weekend is here again. Comes around so fast doesn't it? Meant to be raining and windy here again this weekend. Luckily we haven't had the floods they have had up north. Had a manic day at work today. Rushed off my feet. Crazy day. Need the weekend to rest up. Got a lot to do actually. More cards to make and reviews to write and shopping to get. Never ending!!!! Loving the music still - it sounds really good. Take care Sara
Kari, great to hear from you. I am pleased that you liked your Maverick review. I was just so pleased that they printed it. I love your music Kari - it sounds so amazing. I hope that you are ok and having a great day. Sara XXX
Heyyy!! Kari What's Uppp??? I see you are busy... My single "Out There Somewhere" is going out to radio this week~;) oh ya! I saw you just started your twitter account!! I am following you. so, FOLLOW ME!! http://twitter.com/veronicabal I promise it's a lot of fun :)) xoxo~Veronica
HI SWEETIE: HOPE YOUR DAY WENT WELL!..INVITING YOU TO TAKE A LISTEN TO MY FEMALE COUNTRY SONGS UP, I WROTE, ON MY PLAYER, THAT I'M PITCHING IN NASHVILLE..THE NEWEST ONE UP IS "GOIN OUT TO FIND ME A COWBOY"..HAVE A SUPER NIGHT!.HUGS, GILBERT :) X & O
Hi Kari! I think you are the best woman country western singer ever. None of the others can compare to you. You have a voice of an angel. I love listening to your music, because it has so much meaning to them.
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