Today we’d like to introduce you to Lionell “Sir Smith” Smith.
Hi Sir Smith, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I began my music career singing with my family band Joy, based out of Austin, Texas with roots to the southeast Texas area (Beaumont-Port Arthur region). We spent all our playtime as kids learning how to harmonize, teaching ourselves parts in songs. We quickly learned and took note of local vocalists in our church our parents, their siblings. In addition to urban gospel music such as The Clark Sisters, Commissioned, The Winans. This lead to us forming our group, moving from singing as a hobby to a profession. While participating in several gospel showcases, and noticeable music halls one major breakthrough, was appearing on the BET network on the famous Bobby Jones Gospel Show we won, a chance to appear on this cable TV program, as teenagers. It was an insight into all the possibilities that are out there, if you prepare yourself, and take your profession seriously, anything can happen. Years later in 2005, I branched off to launch my solo career. Then while relocating to North Carolina, launching my collaborative band, The SSML Band in the Summer of 2024. My next phase, is to provide albums, and EPs of my original music. Something I’ve been working on for a while.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most professions that are entertainment based, once you are off the grid for a period of time, it can take some hustle, and great determination to be ready to move upon the right set of opportunities; as well as decisive planning, to maintain quality, relativeness, and master your career goals. I still hold to my faith and remember that I was provided a gift to be able to last all these years, and maneuver through whatever challenges. I move forward knowing my gift will make room for me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional vocalist, that provides both solo live music sessions and collaborative live music sessions. When time permits, I help beginner vocalists learn the basics of vocals. I’m most proud that I’m not limited in my growth. I started off in one genre but have allowed myself to be challenged and learn to adapt, singing in other genres. I see this as major growth for me creatively. This also allows me to reach wider audiences.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I’m still new to the area so I’m still learning the area and the live music industry in this region. I love how the Raleigh-Durham area, reminds me of Austin, people supporting live music. I don’t mean just throwing something together but with skill, personality and entertaining. I believe like most creatives such as myself, we do hope for, or that venue owners would be more open to new talent, both in providing an opportunity beyond an exclusive talent mgr, but also adequate compensation to keep artist, working.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ssmlmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ssml_band
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17Ufdff47w/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg-4EnhOGiwcFwsMV2fhaBoXCkXP3m54T&feature=shared
