All Dallas Smith wanted to do was just have a few drinks and get over his fear of singing. The next thing he knew he was the lead singer in the alternative rock band Default.
I sort of stumbled into this. I always enjoyed singing behind closed doors, he says. The guys in Default were there with the band and the singer left. I just wanted to have a few drinks on a Friday night, hangout and sing a couple cover tunes. Next thing you know were writing songs and we got a U.S. record deal and went out and toured the world, he adds.
After a very successful career with Default, Smith decided it was time for a change of scenery and left the band to pursue a solo career as a country artist.
I just felt it was the right time, he says. If you dont love what youre doing you gotta get out. With this the excitement is back.
I get to be in the drivers seat for this one. It is a different animal. Before it was four guys coming up with a conciseness of what we should do. With this I get to do what feels right for me and my situation and my family, he adds.
Saturday night Smith will be performing at the Abbotsford Agrifair alongside Maple Ridge band The Johnson Brothers. The Civic Holiday weekend event will also feature Grammy award winners Jars of Clay.
Its in my backyard so Im excited to play a show and see some familiar faces, Smith says.
In 2012, the Langley native released his first solo album, Jumped Right In on 604 Records. The album has since received positive reviews including a four-star rave from the Regina Leader-Post.
I didnt know how the record would be received and how radio would receive the singles, but it has all worked out. Everyone has really supported this record, Smith says.
There is no shortage of writing talent on Jumped Right In. The album features writing contributions from Craig Wiseman, Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson, Zac Maloy, Nickelbacks Chad Kroeger, producer Joey Moi and Smith himself.
Smith and his producer spent time in Nashville learning the art of writing country songs. He says it was a big adjustment to go from alternative rock to writing country tunes.
With Default it was more just me hanging out and having a few drinks, he says. There it was more methodical.
Tompkins has previously worked with Carrie Underwood and Florida Georgia Line. He co-wrote Underwoods Grammy Award-winning song Before He Cheats, while Wiseman has previously spent time working with Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and LeAnn Rimes.
We were pretty lucky, we got to get in a room with some pretty talented guys down there, Smith says.
Taking on country meant a conceptual shift for Smith and company.
Its more storytelling and lyric based, Smith says.
Its a different approach and it worked for me. I think the songs worked well together, he adds.
Beginning in October, Smith will join American country artists Florida Georgia Line on two portions of their Heres To The Good Times Tour and he says hes excited to perform in the United States again.
Its a great platform for me get a release down there and get in front of some people, Smith says. It is a pretty big opportunity.
The Juno award winner will be opening for Florida Georgia Line in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State. The tour will end on Dec. 14., in Kent, Wash.
Ive played in most of those cities that were hitting up on that tour. Im really excited to get back in New York. Thats going to be an absolute blast. We get a couple of days off there as well, Smith says.
Smith is no stranger to opening for bigger acts, as a member of Default he previously opened for Nickelback on one of their United States tours.
Ive been in that situation opening up in arenas and bigger rooms, he says. Ive been through it all. Im not too nervous about it, Im just going to go out and enjoy the opportunity.
For more information on Dallas Smith visit www.dallassmithmusic.com or follow @DallasSmith on Twitter.
