CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Darden Smith is an Austin-based singer-songwriter who continually redefines what it means to be a musician. Since his debut in 1986, he has released fourteen critically acclaimed albums over his 28-year career and recorded everywhere from Austin, New York and Nashville, to London and Los Angeles. Smith is known for weaving folk and Americana influences with rock, pop, and the musical roots of his home state of Texas, to create a sound that is uniquely his own. Writing songs is, for Darden, about telling the stories that reveal our deepest human truths. Lately, Smith has been using the craft of songwriting and the art of collaboration to break new ground in education, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Songwriting is at the heart of everything that Texas-born Americana singer-songwriter does and his Compass debut Love Callingis perhaps the finest example of his craft since his hit album Little Victories in 1993. The new album, recorded in Nashville and produced by Gary Paczosa and Jon Randall Stewart, features 11 new songs – including the already critically acclaimed “Angel Flight,” a co-write with Radney Foster – plus two bonus tracks recorded live at SIRIUS XM. Recently featured as a TEDxAustin speaker, Darden’s creativity reaches in many directions. He is an artist-in-residence at Oklahoma State University, as well as the founder of SongwritingWith:Soldiers and The Be An Artist Program, which use collaborative songwriting to help people tell their stories, and transform their lives through creativity.
He’s performing at the Evening Muse Friday, February 14th.
