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Biography
Johnny Smith
Singer -- Songwriter -- Guitarist -- Bandleader
For Johnny Smith singing has always been a passion. Songwriter and self taught
musician, Johnny began playing guitar at the age of 9 when, living in rural Missouri, he saw and heard Elvis sing Hound Dog during a program Aloha from Hawaii
on their family's one channel T.V.
His mother bought him a chord book and he caught on quickly, learning to play by
ear and able to mimic the artists he listened to as well as write his own original
music. She was so taken by his ability that she drove thirty miles to Colonel Buck
Cody's Jamboree in Marceline and waited patiently to convince the Colonel to allow
Johnny to sing one song before the end of the night. When he stepped onto the stage, he told the band he wanted to sing Hound Dog. Seeing one of the guitar players ready to start in C he promptly, in a commanding voice shouted, In the key of D! His charismatic stage presence and mastery of the song led him to be invited to play every weekend all summer long.
Shortly thereafter the Smith family relocated back to Ventura CA where Johnny's early musical influences were John Denver, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Super Tramp and Tom Petty . At age 12 during a trip to Las Vegas, Johnny's guitar was left in the trunk of their car where it warped from change of climate. So consummate was he about music he continued to play the mangled instrument. His mother took him to a music store and bought him a Martin D-35 which he continues to play today. He played for his family and school talent shows as well as competing in the Horace Heidt Jr. and the Musical Knights Talent Contest at the Top of the Harbor in Ventura where he won the semi final competition.
His high school years took him briefly away from this music as his interests turned to working, cars and military weaponry. He enlisted in the Marines right out of High School where he re-ignited his love while stationed in Okinawa. He wrote 12 songs that year at the age of 19.
Inspired by his uncle Delaney and aunt Bonnie Bramlett of the 70's hit group Delaney and Bonnie (Only You Know & I Know, Never Ending Song of Love) and encouraged to sing with feeling, they composed three songs, (two with Delaney one with Bonnie) as well as a couple of recording sessions and once sang on stage together.
Johnny played in three bands in the Los Angeles area, most notably LA Rain, before moving to the Bay Area in 1994 where he struck out on his own and formed a band called the Smithtones. After winning the regional battle of the bands competition in 1997, he changed the name of the band to Alias Smith preceding their self titled independently produced and recorded debut CD. Following the release of Alias Smith (Napa Rain Publishing, 1997) with Johnny on lead vocals and guitar, the band presented their rock originals on an 18 gig tour of Northern Europe. A popular song to this day, Our Love is Like a Rock, received local radio play and made number one on the request line. In 2002 Johnny produced his second CD, a collection of solo original music entitled Just a Man (Napa Rain Publishing, 2002). This CD presents a wide range of style and excellent songwriting.
The Napa Valley Register states 'Just a Man' is full of lovelorn blues and well crafted ballads. The arrangements are slick and upbeat, a real credit to an independently produced recording project. The range of musical diversity that the CD displays is evident by the sultry soulful voice of Johnny Smith as he conveys all the emotions of love lost or low down blues, Johnny's performances are in effect better than his recorded CD's making him a charismatic singer with a commanding stage presence and huge audience appeal.
Proven to be a versatile performer and accomplished musician Johnny naturally takes center stage as lead vocalist when playing with his band and is equally adept at delivering a solid solo acoustic performance. Johnny has enjoyed opening for such groups as Starship, the Beach Boys, Roger McQuinn, and Johnny A as well as singing a duet with Maria Muldaur at her recent Sweet Lovin' Ol' Soul CD release party. Not stuck in a particular genre, all styles are an easy delivery for this talented, passionate entertainer who performs regularly at clubs, restaurants, wineries, festivals, weddings and special events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
CD's are available at http://www.cdbaby.com/johnnysmith.
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