Ellie Arilyn

Ellie Arilyn Smith is a fourteen-year-old kid with pipes to impress even the most stonehearted of talent agents. I had the privilege of hearing Ellie sing numerous times when I was a cocktail server at the late Tucker's Bar and Grill downtown, where she belted out tunes by Janis Joplin, Otis Redding and Fleetwood Mac. In that dark and smoky bar filled with middle-aged, slightly drunk patrons, Ellie could silence the crowd and elicit the occasional "ahh" of delight. Her voice is akin to what one might expect from an angel.. Her performances reminded me that age has nothing to do with talent. You either have it or you don't.Since Ellie has been singing from age three, her performances now are flawless. The only comparison I can find is that she sings a little like Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Starr, except louder, less raspy. Her rendition of "Angel from Montgomery," a John Pryne tune, is haunting and melancholy, exactly the way such a poignant and sad song should be sung.Ellie insists that she grew up around folk and blues music, and so it just came naturally that she would sing the stuff. "Our whole family is pretty much musical, too," Ellie added.Older brother Josh Luttrell is the keyboardist for local industrial band The God Project. Although he participates in a very different musical genre than Ellie, he nevertheless recognizes her talent. "I've always been very impressed by her singing," said Josh Luttrell. "But for me, the most special part is being able to hear her improve and develop." Her vocals are now at the level where she can entertain patrons at coffee shops, music festivals, and the occassional bar where they'll let her in to sing with her dad, Kenny Smith. Members of the band Bridges are proud to have her up front at these sorts of gigs. "Ellie has got maturity and power in her voice," said Danny Blackwood, bassist and veteran of the local music scene. "It scares me sometimes how good she is."Family, friends, band mates and devoted fans, such as myself, will all be keeping an eye on Ellie in the coming years. Mark my words: This kid will be famous someday.Leah Sewell