Winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003, the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band combines gutsy, heartfelt vocals, brilliant instrumental talents and a powerful, contemporary sense of song choice and arrangement into one of the most compelling new sounds in bluegrass today.
Born of the intensely personal musical and romantic connection between Kenny and Amanda Smith, the band shares an all-too rare sense of intimacy and cohesion where each musician feels an almost telepathic connection. Musicians call it being in the groove, where the group collectively accents each beat in precisely the same way. Whatever it’s called, this band has it in spades.
Originally from Nine Mile, IN, Kenny Smith is widely considered one of the most important and influential flatpicking-style guitarists of his generation. A two-time IBMA Guitarist of the Year award winner, his professional credits include 6 years with the popular Lonesome River Band and an exceptional solo CD, Studebaker, released on Sugar Hill Records in 1997. Kenny’s in great demand at guitar workshops and master classes, teaching at the renowned Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend series and at guitar workshops at major events such as IBMA. He has just released a two-DVD instruction set on AcuTab Publications.
Born in the small town of Davisville, WV, Amanda Smith grew up singing in church choirs and participating in talent contests at local fairs. “I always sang, my mom and dad said, even before I can remember,” she says today. She started playing guitar in high school to accompany herself, and soon discovered bluegrass music through female artists such as Claire Lynch, Rhonda Vincent and Alison Krauss. She met her future husband at a Lonesome River Band concert, and the couple began dating and playing music together almost immediately. “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight, but there was definitely something there,” she explains. Their shared Christian faith, love for bluegrass and desire to perform together led them to record a debut CD, Slowly But Surely in 2001. Recruiting several of their favorite players for the session, the album surged up the bluegrass charts on the strength of their hit song, Amy Brown.
Winning IBMA’s Emerging Artist Award came as an unexpected thrill for the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band. “We were blown away just to be nominated; we didn’t know whether anyone was even paying attention to what we were doing” says Kenny. “So to hear our names called and to go up on that stage was just amazing.” The band’s second release, House Down The Block on Rebel Records, further solidified its position as one of the best new bands in bluegrass. The third album, a 2005 release is titled, Always Never Enough. Earlier this year, the band's first-ever all-gospel project was released on Rebel Records. "Tell Someone" is available from all major music outlets and from the band directly.
Hey guys! Picked up the latest cd a few weeks ago. Your version of Cruel Willie is THE most stirring version of that old ballad I've ever heard. Impeccable arrangement and killer harmony! That one song is all I've listened to for two weeks! Thanks for such superb music. -R
Wow: What beautiful voices. Is it the mountain air? As good as it is, I am sure it's God given talent. On behalf of the band and myself, thank you for the add. James Thomas
