Album Notes

JOHNNY SMITH
Singer -- Songwriter -- Guitarist -- Bandleader

Johnny Smith, singer and self-taught musician, began playing guitar at age 9. Following graduation and a 3-year enlistment in the Marines, Johnny began his career playing in a few bands in Los Angeles, including L.A. Rain. Inspired by his uncle, Delaney Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie fame (in the 60's and 70's), whom he composed a few songs with, Johnny has been writing music and playing professionally for more than 15 years.

Since moving to the Bay Area nine years ago, he started a band called the Smithtones. The band won the regional battle of the bands competition in 1997 and later that year, Johnny changed the name of the band to Alias Smith preceding the release of his debut album he independently produced and recorded, entitled "Alias Smith" (Napa Rain Publishing, 1997). Following the release of the album, with Johnny on lead vocals and guitar, the Band presented their rock originals on an 18-gig tour of Northern Europe. A popular song to this day, "Our Love is Like a Rock, received local radio play on KVYN (Napa) and made number one on the request list. During that time, Johnny enjoyed opening for Starship, the Beach Boys and opened solo for Roger McGuinn (founder of the Byrds).

Most recently, Johnny produced and recorded his second album, a collection of solo original music, entitled "Just A Man" (Napa Rain Publishing, 2002). This new album presents a wide range of style and excellent songwriting. According to The Napa Valley Register, ""Just A Man" is full of lovelorn blues and well-crafted ballads. The arrangements are slick and upbeat, a real credit to an independently produced recording project. Smith's chocolaty smooth baritone speaks to love found and lost, people coming and going, even a modern-day fable centering on a couple the songwriter calls Crazy George and Baby Doll."

As a member of the Northern California Songwriters Association (NCSA), Johnny performs at songwriter showcases and open mic events in the Bay Area. Most recently, he won best performance at two open mic events hosted by the NCSA, one at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley, California, and at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California.

Proven to be a versatile performer and accomplished musician, Johnny delivers a solid solo acoustic performance." When performing with the band, Johnny naturally takes center stage as lead vocalist and is regularly featured as an entertaining duo with fellow guitarists. His latest performances with a local jazz group called Groove.org adds instrumental and vocal jazz classics to his repertoire of styles ranging from contemporary folk to classic rock and the blues, where he has been known to add a little extra grit of a harmonica to bring his music alive. All styles are an easy delivery for this talented, passionate entertainer who performs regularly at clubs and restaurants, wineries, festivals, weddings and special events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For additional information, please visit the website at www.johnnysmithgroup.com. CD's are available at http://www.cdbaby.com/johnnysmith.