Drew Smith has been involved in music in some way all of his life. Since first hearing the sounds of Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and KISS he has been a fan of performers and songwriters from all genres of music. His first performance was as a kindergartner at a school talent show where he sang "Rhinestone Cowboy." There have been many stages since to include well known venues such as The Cumberland County Arena in Fayetteville, NC, The Longbranch Saloon in Raleigh, NC, and even the world famous Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. He has played in bands, sometimes opening for national acts, and done numerous solo acoustic shows.
Drew, a native of Fayetteville, NC, began performing solo while in college at UNC - Chapel Hill. Before graduating he began playing with a band from his hometown called Southside. After joining the band there were several member changes and Drew began fronting the band, playing rhythm guitar and singing lead vocals. The band name was changed to Silverayne and they performed locally, for the most part, at clubs, fairs, rodeos, and festivals and eventually opened a show for Rhett Akins, a national headliner at the time. It was fun and was a valuable learning experience for all of the band members but after nearly 4 years together the band parted ways.
Despite this unfortunate event, this became a musical rebirth for Drew. He soon formed another band called Cactus Highway that began playing local shows. It wasn't long before they found themselves playing regionally. They travelled extensively in North and South Carolina and Virginia playing everything from clubs, to rodeos, to festivals, to concert events. Along the way they opened for several national acts including Lonestar, Highway 101, Yankee Grey, Hank Williams III, Aaron Tippen, Gary Allen, and Brad Paisley, to name a few. Their hard work eventually paid off with an invitation to play at The Grand Ole Opry during Fan Fare week in June of 1999. At the time there was some interest from a handful of record labels but none of those opportunities worked out. After this disappointment the band decided to call it quits to explore other career opportunities.
Shortly after, Drew moved to Nashville to persue a songwriting and performing career. He lived in Nashville for only a short time due to multiple family issues that required him to travel back and forth between Nashville and home. Drew eventually decided to return home and settle into a new career. His career aspirations, outside of music, finally landed him in Dallas, Texas for several years. After settling into a steady routine in Dallas, he began playing solo acoustic shows in and around the Dallas area. In late 2004, his career path and family brought him back to North Carolina to settle in Wilmington.
Since returning to North Carolina, Drew has been actively participating in open mic nights and playing acoustic shows at several area clubs and resturants. This has kept the musical fire kindled during the last couple of years, but, as with small fires, as they continue to be fed they grow larger. Recently Drew decided it was time to get back into the game, form a band, and return to the stages that he so dearly loves.
Drew is once again hitting the stage with a new band performing an extensive list of cover tunes as well as original material. Armed with a guitar, crisp, clear, and strong vocals, a new band, and a love for music, he is an entertainer second to none. His new band is composed of a variety of players from Drew's past bands as well as some new additions. Each band member brings years of experience from a variety of musical backgrounds which gives the band the ability to be diverse in their selection of material. All of the players have a fond love for country music, both old and new, as well as good 'ol rock and roll, and as a result, this is one jamin' country band. The Drew Smith Band is looking forward to great music, good times, and a whole lot of fun to share with audiences everywhere!
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