Today's Country

The country music industry has always had open doors to a variety of genres within; it and with southern rock blending into modern country it has opened the doors wide open for an artist like Daniel Smith. He is getting set to unveil his southern rockin’ sounds later this year with his forthcoming album Revolution and to give fans a chance to preview the album he is releasing a 6-song EP at the 2009 CMA Fest. We had a chance to catch up with Daniel and chat with him about both releases, his current single “Man Like Me,” his involvement with CMA Fest this year, and much much more.

Official Daniel Smith Website
Daniel Smith Myspace
Daniel Smith - "The EP" Review 

1. Your current single is “Man Like Me.” For someone that hasn’t heard it yet what can you tell people about it?

It’s kind of a story song, life affirming, learn your lessons to life type. Probably the biggest line in there is “let your buddy leave the party, but don’t ask him for his keys, rest that casket on your shoulder, where your best friend used to lean.” That kind of epitomizes the whole song. 

2. Why do you think it is a perfect follow-up to last summer’s “Livin’ The Good Life?”

“Man Like Me,” we were looking for something a little more serious. Didn’t want to be political but at the same time wanted to touch on certain aspects of life that are deep and meaningful.

3. You are working on your full-length album Revolution due out later this fall. What will the album offer people that just listening to the singles don’t? 

We are going to be putting on a lot of bonus materials and live stuff. Behind the scene tidbits, about 12-14 studio songs will be on it, and stuff like that.

4. To preview the album you will be releasing an EP at CMA Fest (2009). What made you decide to give fans your music this way and how can they get an EP?

We’ve had this collection of songs we’ve been working on and just wanted something for the fans. When I create something I want to get it out and I think music is one of those things, so rather than waiting until the fall I wanted to get this out there.

5. Which one song from the forthcoming album is your personal favorite and why?

“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happy Hour.” I saw something with Alan Alda where he said that and I said there has got to be a song in that, so I looked at all the different publishers; BMI, ASCAP, SESAC, and no one had ever written something like that. It combines all genres and it is fun and up-tempo. I think people will react to it well. Fun summer song, people can dance to it, it’s a fun drinkin’ song. Fraternities will go nuts over it so we may have a winner on our hands with this one.

6. We mentioned CMA Fest earlier. What are you most looking forward to with this year’s CMA Fest?

Every year my biggest enjoyment is meeting the fans one on one. It is a privilege to get to do this for a living. People from all over come here for this event and I try to not do too much media stuff during this. I am at my booth from 10AM to 5PM and have a really fun time spending my time with the fans. If people spend hard-earned money to get here then I think you should spend the time with them. I will always sign for fans no matter how big I get and not just for an hour.

7. Besides having a booth at CMA Fest this year you also have a performance on June 14^th at the acoustic corner. With so many other events for people to go to why do you think they need to make it a part of their schedule to come and see your performance?

I think we do acoustic sets very well. It is intimate and there is nothing to hide behind with a performance like this. You can either play or not and we do good in these settings.

8. Why do you think it is crucial for a new artist like you to participate in an event of this magnitude?

You end up at the bottom under the major label artist right now cause they have the bucks. We do it on a grassroots level so for us to get to where the big artists are we have to spend the one on one time with the fans when we can.

9. On the subject of being a new artist, how important to advancing your career have things like myspace, youtube, your appearance in Country Weekly’s download section, etc… been to you thus far?

It levels the playing field to a certain degree. Radio play is still important but if you can get your name out there and people can find your music that’s a bonus. People are downloading from I-Tunes right now so you have to be able to make good songs to offer people.

10. What advice can you offer to someone that is looking to break into the music industry?

Always remain who you are. Don’t try to change into who someone thinks you should be. Country fans will see right through that. Be persistent. This is a business and you have to stay at it if it is your dream.