A.T. Smith

Bio:

A.T. Smith is quickly becoming known in the metro Detriot area as an inspiring champion of old time moutain traditional, southern folk blues, and bluegrass. He is a writer of unique and honest originals flavored by these disciplines; as well as a notably skilled guitarist and strong unique tenor vocalist. Raised in rural Nothfield Township near South Lyon, MI, Aaron T. Smith (affectionately known as ol' A.T. to Grandpaw and a few others) grew up in a home rich with southern tradition. Aaron's rural upbringing and gospel heritage fostered a love for nature, antiquity, old ways...and old music. while employed at an acoustic music venue as the sound techician; the reintroduction to the traditional music he grew up with coupled with the discovery of fingerstyle guitar prompted him to research and explore the work of artists the likes of Doc Watson,John Hurt, and others, and purpose in his heart to learn how to play guitar with the type of melodic mastery and elusive technique exhibited by the giants of Americana, Country Blues, and Bluegrass. A.T.'s originals and arrangments of traditionals all reflect this passion, as athletic and sharp witted technique are communicated in the guitar work on every piece. The stylings of A.T. Smith range from colorful hard bent fingerpicking blues that roll and tumble like a stray pumpkin that fell of the truck, to beautiful and lonesome folk ballads, to the old world charm of flatpicking traditional fiddletunes,...to themes and styles completely original but firmly founded in the love of these traditional formats. Regaurdless of the tune, all of A.T. Smith's work communicates his own unique musical vocabulary which transends the mind and srikes a chord in the soul of the listener leaving the truth evident; this the genuine article, Deep Rural American Roots Music from heart and home.. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ..

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Member Since:

November 24, 2008

Members:

Aaron T. Smith: primarily solo performer at this time. -often colaborate with other artists as duo or trio- (seeking mandolin, dobro, second guitar/vocal) to play old time americana/roots/bluegrass: fiddletunes, country blues, ect. interested professionals welcome to contact.

Influences:

In reccent years: Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, Ralph stanley, Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis....... In Childhood: My Dad's Banjo Bonanza lp set featuring Flatt and Scruggs and others, Scottish Folk, The Lewis Family, our family's southern gospel tradition: My Mom and Dad , Grandma Smith (a Lewis herself from Georgia), Uncle Dave, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle paul (P.K. Mullins) with his Pike County old regular baptist hwhine, my cousins (Mark, Tina, and Sandra) and all the pickin,sawin,strummin and singin Mullinses in his relation. Hank Williams, my Mom's 45s (Elvis, Fats Domino, ect.) the grocery bag of 8tracks my Grandpaw bought me at a garage sale (including Johnny guitar Watson, Herald Melvin and The Bluenotes, Brick, Average White Band, Stevie Wonder,Tower of Power and others) old ZZTop, Bill Monroe, thank God for Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass on public radio and abroad.

Sounds Like:

A.T. Smith