After penning hit music for other country artists, singer-songwriter Anthony Smith is thrilled to have his own debut single, Bringin’ Sunshine Back, available for the music community at large—and namely, country fans.
With a plethora of musical Influences that run the gamut, from Mozart, Jerry Reed, Porter Wagoner and Waylon Jennings, to Boston, Don Williams, The Eagles and Steve Earle, Smith's new single has been described by his own camp as “a full-tilt country rocker.” The track shipped to country-radio programmers this week and is set to be part of the musician’s extended-play release for the fledgling Stroudavarious Records. The full EP will be available beginning this winter.
New Artist Made A Career By Penning Hit-Country Songs for Top Country Stars
As a songwriter, the blond-tressed Smith has contributed hit songs to projects by country stars such as George Strait (Cowboys Like Us and Run), Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw (Kill Myself), Faith Hill, Trace Adkins (Chrome) and Montgomery Gentry (Whataya Think About That?), among others. And along the way, it’s estimated that he’s aided the artists’ respective album sales to the tune of some 30 million.
Nonetheless, in an Aug. 11, 2009, e-mail correspondence, the Oneida, Tenn., native said that while writing hits for others is undoubtedly an honor, he’s always been all about making his own music—something he’s doing on his forthcoming Sunshine EP and brand-new single.
Singer-Songwriter Ready To Score On the Country Music Charts & Radio As An Artist
“I’m absolutely thrilled to get this record out there,” he shared. “It’s been a while for me. I’ve always written songs with the intention of me being the one to record them and perform them live.
“Other artists have heard them and wanted to cut them,” he continued, “and that’s tremendously flattering to me. But my intent was always to be the one on stage singing what I write.”
With a critically acclaimed first CD dubbed If That Ain’t Country to his credit, Smith’s current single was penned by the performer and Jess Leary, with veteran country-music producer and label CEO James Stroud leading the production of the artist’s Sunshine project.
Veteran Record Producer James Stroud Praises Country Singer's Talents
“I have been a huge believer in Anthony Smith’s talents for years,” commented Stroud in a press release from the Nashville-based record company. “Launching this new label gave me a great opportunity to demonstrate that belief.
“(Smith) is an incredibly talented writer, singer and musician,” he noted. “We just had an awesome time working on this music together.”
Country Music Video In the Works for Anthony Smith's Sunshine Single
The Bringin’ Back The Sunshine, in the current age of digital recording and online marketing, will be available for download by music fans in early September through digital-music retailers as part of the special promotion for the Sunshine EP.
Additionally, a video for the track, directed by Taillight TV’s Traci Goudie, also will be unleashed. The music clip is set to star Derek Phillips of NBC’s Friday Night Lights and Danielle Rene, who is will appear in Terrence Malick’s upcoming film, Tree Of Life, with Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.
To learn more about Smith, please visit www.anthonysmith.com
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
