biography
DAMON SMITH -- A MAVERICK IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.
Described as an intellectual artist who takes an independent stand to separate himself from the “everyday norm” or usual and customary course of business, Damon’s authenticity and slow and steady entry onto the music scene is reminiscent of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, bandits in their own right.
“I’m really not an outlaw; I’m really an all-American Joe,” Damon says. “I’m not the “Man in Black” like Johnny Cash and I’m not a hippie like Willie Nelson, I just come off as a rough- edged, fun-spirited entertainer because my crowds sing loud and dance on tabletops. They are the rowdy ones who just have fun and like to listen to great country-rock music.”The exterior packaging is different from the outlaws of eras passed.
-- Damon sports a trendier image than those who have gone before him -- but the goal is the same: to uphold the standards of country music while bringing back the raw edge that defines real country rock. True passion for the genre is evident in his music; he released his first independent recording entitled “Jesus Runs With a Rough Crowd” in January 2006 under his own imprint, Nomad Records. Originally recorded as a country ballad, the single took on a life of its own crossing over to the Christian Country and Inspirational/Positive genres. Knocking out prominent acts competing for the top spot (Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Rodney Atkins), the single became a #1 hit on the Power Source Top 20 and Christian Music Weekly charts receiving airplay on more than 900 radio stations, including Armed Services Radio.
Forging his own trail to stardom, Damon’s rogue ways, business savvy, musical style and high-energy performances only hint at the entrepreneurial story behind this rising star. He credits his success to his being a self-taught talent and knowing how to lead a team, a skill he obtained working in a close-knit family business and competing on the high school and collegiate levels as a member of a wrestling team.
Damon has spent many years paving his own path to Music Row, weaving off the elusive yellow brick road that dead-ends quickly for many a new artist. Armed with the mantra “every day is a new day to the wise man,” he bucked the traditional “move to Nashville and be discovered” ideal and formed Nomad Entertainment for the sole purpose of managing his career. In doing so, he successfully booked himself and his band, …the beautiful mistakes, for more than 175 shows every year absent the resources of a major agency.
Damon has succeeded as well in building a dedicated fan base doing country music his way. He has graduated from small gigs on the local scene to now having top billing at notable country bars and roadhouses, and fairs and festivals across the country. He also impressed fans internationally by headlining a ten city tour in Brazil, selling out venues with a capacity of up to 10,000 people.
“I’ve been beating the road up for years – there are holes in my jeans and holes in my boots,” he jokes.
In an effort to stay close to his fans and expose his talents to those “hungry” for fresh music, Damon continuously appears at the CMA Country Music Festival. His charismatic performances and stellar reputation garnered him invitations to perform on the Chevy and Acoustic Corner stages, and in 2007, he completed his sixth and most successful year at the famed festival, greeting fans who stood in line in excess of two hours to meet this young sensation.
Besides showcasing his musical versatility as a touring artist, Damon delivers the goods as a vocalist. His flexible tenor is spirited and robust on rock injected numbers, while raw and honest on understated ballads. Infusing the influences of John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Tom Petty, and Garth Brooks, Damon truly has created a maverick image and sound which he is proud to call his own.