Greg Smith

Press Quotes

“He’s every bit as good as Garth. He just needs a break....”
The Post and Courier
Charleston, SC

“....one of the most interesting, entertaining, and polished performers on the island....”
Hilton Head News
Hilton Head Island, SC

“He’s mastered the guitar styles of the likes of James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg and all that great music.”
Jeff Kent
Program Director/Morning DJ WAVF
Charleston, SC 1988

“A perennial favorite in the Lowcountry, his songs have been shopped extensively in Nashville and he has appeared in most of the major showcases there and here at home. A clever turn of phrase and an eye for the humorous make his songs run from fun to poignant. Most writers have a few good songs, Mr. Smith seems to have an inexhaustible well.”
Pete Ledbetter, Veteran Charleston Musician
Quoted in a promo for a show at The Blue Rose Café, Charleston, SC

BIO

The music industry has been overwhelmed by stars and superstars, talented musicians, writers, producers, vocalists, and entertainers. In this sea of talent Greg Smith is emerging as an artist’s artist whose musical skills and creativity are void of boundaries, a singer/songwriter with broad vision. He has a vocal quality as warm, smooth, clear, and effortless as James Taylor, George Strait, or Don Williams. Blending interjection and anecdote with a staggering musical repertoire, Greg has defined himself as an extraordinary entertainer as well as an excellent musician. His positive manner and All-American image are both refreshing and infectious leaving the audience wanting more.

Greg was born in South Carolina and was raised in Charleston, where he has lived most of his life. The musical roots run deep on both sides of the family.  Greg’s father was an extraordinary classical pianist and his mother was once a Big Band singer. Their instruction and guidance helped Greg to develop as an accomplished musician with a vocal quality that has been called “pure and true.”

Greg’s earliest influences came from the “acoustic-oriented” music of the late 60s and early 70s, a sound that blended folk, rock, country, and pop, specifically, the music of Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Jimmy Buffett, The Eagles, and America. While majoring in music theory at The College of Charleston, Greg became a student of the music of Dan Fogelberg, an influence which encouraged him to broaden his abilities as a multi-instrumentalist.

After college Greg began his career with a three year engagement as the musician-in-residence at “Whistler’s,” a sidewalk cafe in the city market in Charleston, SC, a venue where singer/songwriter Rob Crosby performed many times before landing a major label record deal. While performing at Whistler’s, Greg developed a large following and quickly became one of the top acts in the Charleston area. He was acclaimed by “The News and Courier” entertainment writer, Jimmy Cornelison, as an outstanding musician.

Greg left Whistler’s to tour the Southeast. In 1989 he was invited to open for Jimmy Buffett at a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Hugo. At that time Greg was promoting his first independent released album. Later that year he performed 2 songs from that album on “The Midday Show,” a local talk show on the CBS affiliate, WCSC TV 5. Greg continued to develop as a writer throughout the 90’s, and in 1998 he performed with Jim Messina (of Loggins and Messina) in a “Songwriter’s In The Round” concert at Hilton Head Island, SC. Greg has continued through the years to write, record, and perform including several engagements at The Bluebird Café and The Commodore in Nashville, TN. He is a member of NSAI, ASCAP, and The Americana Music Association.

Having performed more than 3,000 shows during his career, Greg has established himself as a seasoned musician and entertainer. As a songwriter, he has built a strong foundation through his exploration of the music and stylings of some of the greatest artists of our time. His music is uniquely his own, always in-progress, always evolving. Greg Smith is truly an artist’s artist.