Hal Smith profile picture

Hal Smith

Git 'em up on their tippy-toes, Monty!

About Me

Drummer since 1963! Full-time musician. Bandleader (The Hayriders, The Rhythmakers, Blue Voo); Co-leader (El Dorado Jazz Band Tribute). Sideman (Cash Kings, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Ray Skjelbred and his Cubs, Butch Thompson Trio, Delta Stompers, Bob Schulz's Frisco Jazz Band, Big Rig Deluxe, the Lone Gunmen, Rock 'n' Roll Rangers, Yerba Buena Stompers).Favorite music: Swing, WESTERN Swing, Rockabilly, Traditional Jazz.Other websites: www.myspace.com/thehayriders; www.myspace.com/cashkings; www.myspace.com/lonegunmen59; www.myspace.com/bigrigdeluxe.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/8/2007
Band Website: myspace.com/halsmithmusic
Band Members: Carl Sonny Leyland, Katie Cavera, Johnny D’Artenay, Ray Skjelbred, Clint Baker, Kim Cusack, Sue Palmer, Chris Tyle, June Smith, Gino Meregillano, Melissa Collard, Albert Alva, Bryan Shaw, John Gill, Marty Eggers, Anita Thomas, Vince Saunders, Mike Baird, Howard Miyata, Leon Oakley, Georgia Korba, Chris Dawson, Mike Fay, John Royen, Alan Adams, Jim Buchmann, Ted Thomas, Mike Earls.
Influences: Drummers: Sid Catlett, Jo Jones, Dave Tough, Vic Berton, Zutty Singleton, Smokey Dacus, Monty Mountjoy, Johnny Cuviello and many more from Storyville to Sun Studios.Some of my favorite jazzmen: Bix Beiderbecke, Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, Jess Stacy, Muggsy Spanier, Frank Teschemacher, Joe Sullivan, Earl Hines, Jimmie Noone, Freddie Keppard, Kid Ory, Papa Mutt Carey, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Eddie Lang, James P. Johnson, Fats Waller...I am a lifelong fan of Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley.Jerry Lee Lewis is one of my all-time favorite performers. Thankfully he is still pumpin' out that Killer piano style!Contemporary bands and musicians I listen to include Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Mata and Texas Tradition, Brandy Roberts, Floyd Domino, Blair Carman and the Belleview Boys, Terry Lee and the Rockaboogie Band and a lot of other jumpin', swingin', boogie'n, boot-scootin' groups!
Sounds Like: Me
Record Label: Komodo, Jazzology, Black Rattler, Stomp Off...
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

THE HAYRIDERS CD HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED!

Rockabilly fans! Please check out the Hayriders website: www.myspace.com/thehayriders to hear sound clips from our brand-new CD!  Besides some great covers, we recorded several cool originals by ...
Posted by Hal Smith on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:15:00 PST

Interview with Hal - Online

My pal, Fred Turgis, just interviewed me for his online music magazine Jumpin' From 6 to 6.  We talked about drumming, equipment, different musical styles and the drummers who influenced my play...
Posted by Hal Smith on Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:44:00 PST