Keepin' it Country Media & Radio » Joanna Smith

Chris Young To Make Headlining Debut at Ryman Auditorium

Rebecca Elliott — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 23:20:27 +0000

The Ryman Auditorium is going to be adding another rising star to its roster. RCA Nashville artist Chris Young announced on Friday via Twitter, that he will be making his Nashville debut at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, November 15. Fellow Valory Music label mate Thomas Rhett and Columbia Records recording artist Joanna Smith will also join Young in his debut headlining performance.

Chris Young made his claim to fame after being crowned the winner of the American singing competition, Nashville Star in 2006. After winning, he signed a recording deal with RCA Records Nashville and has since released 3 albums that have produced three number one singles.

After releasing the exciting news to his Twitter followers, Young reminisced his first time hitting the Ryman Stage:

“The first time I set foot on the Ryman stage was an unbelievable experience. I am so grateful for the support of my hometown crowd all of these years and saying I can’t wait for this show is an obvious understatement”.

For more information on Chris and to purchase tickets, visit www.chrisyoungmusic.com.

Joanna Smith Launching 150 Things About Joanna

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:10:53 +0000

While RCA Nashville’s Joanna Smith is busy on her nationwide tour promoting her new single “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” she’s launched a brand new “150 Things About Joanna” project. The 150 things will include fun facts including her favorite songs, artists, memories, her biggest pet peeves, and more from the spunky artist.

The 150 things kicked off on August 3rd and will go on until New Years Eve, which will end with her New Years Resolution. Joanna will also share pictures and videos as part of her 150 Things. So far, Joanna has shared her favorite book, how she wants to return to New Orleans, how she was grossed out by a gum wall in Seattle, and how she has the magical talent to always make her checked baggage come in under the 50 pound limit.

Joanna is in her fourth week of her “Joanna Smith For Today’s Country” campaign across the United States. Her radio tour has taken her from coast to coast, and she’s been filming Road-isodes while on her travels.

Joanna Smith To Perform National Anthem at Marathon

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:56:33 +0000

Sony Music Nashville artist Joanna Smith will not only be running her first half-marathon tomorrow, but she will also perform the American national anthem at the St. Jude Country Music Marathon Presented By Nissan. The event is expected to bring out more than 30,000 participants, for whom she’ll sing the anthem to before the marathon starts.

Joanna is passionate about St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital since she first visited several years ago. She’s asking fans who aren’t racing to help her raise money for the cause by joining “St Jude Heroes – Run For a Reason” and donating to help Joanna raise money to help fight childhood cancer.

“I’m so excited about being involved in the marathon,” said Joanna. ”When I think about the kids at St. Jude fighting for their lives, running 13 miles doesn’t seem like a lot. Singing the national anthem will give me lots of good nervous energy and adrenaline, so I think I’ll be good to go come race time!”

At the time of this posting, Joanna’s page has only raised $150 of her $750 goal – so come on country music fans! Help her reach her goal by tomorrow.

Joanna Smith To Perform Anthem At Red Cross Event

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:19:09 +0000

Columbia/BNA Records artist Joanna Smith will be performing the National Anthem at the 10th Annual Lifesaver Breakfast, hosted by the Nashville chapter of the Red Cross. The event takes place Thursday, April 12th at the Lipscomb University Allen Arena. The event will honor military veterans in the Nashville community. The American Red Cross will celebrate 130 years of service to the 101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell. Honored guest Major General James McConville, the commanding officer of the 101st Airborne Divison, will accept the “Service to Excellence Award” on behalf of the 101st Airborne and provide remarks. Sherri Brown, American Red Cross’ National Senior Vice-President of Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) will also speak at the breakfast.

“To sing our nation’s anthem at a Red Cross event that is honoring the military is a very special opportunity for me. The Red Cross has been proudly serving our country for over 130 years, and for them to intersect at an event with the Tennessee 101st Airborne provides a unique chance for me give my thanks for all they do for my fellow Americans!”

This year, the American Red Cross is expecting over 600 of Nashville’s most influential business and community leaders at the event, which will ensure the necessary financial funding to provide the core humanitarian services of the organization, including lifesaving services, local disaster response and service to the Armed Forces.

PHOTO: Joanna Smith Gets A Helping Hand From Lauren Alaina

Lydia Picknell — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:56:10 +0000

It’s the time of year when traveling quickly becomes a headache, and that was the case for country music singer Joanna Smith last week. After her plane was late in New York, she had to rush to make it to her show at Huntington. She made it – with only moments to spare, but didn’t have time to do her hair and makeup on her own.

That’s when American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina stepped in. Lauren curled Joanna’s hair for her, since they were both performing at the concert, and got her friend all ready to hit the stage – and on-time!

EXCLUSIVE: Interview With Joanna Smith

Lydia Picknell — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:43:12 +0000

We had the pleasure of speaking with Joanna Smith Friday afternoon in-between her Nashville studio sessions working on her new album. The “Gettin’ Married” singer is coming back with a new sound that’s true to who she is, without anymore proud-to-be-a-Georgia-peach songs this time around! Find out what Joanna has been up to, what she expects this time around, how she became friends with Luke Bryan, writing “Kissing in Public” about a popular Nashville songwriter friend (who shall remain nameless), and what it was like moving to Nashville all on her own to follow her dream in our exclusive interview with the “Georgia Mud” singer. It was a fun interview with a proud Southern girl who has a very important message for her friend Cody Johnson:

You moved to Nashville all on your own without knowing anybody. How hard was it for you to go through with that?

You know what… I was just so young, wide-eyed, and I just had this dream since I was young so it wasn’t hard at all. I just could not wait to get in and be independent and do something crazy. Looking back, if I had known then what I know now I would’ve been a little frightened.

What is it about country music that you’re so drawn to?

You know I’ve always been drawn to it since I was a little girl. I was in love with The Judds. You know, it’s funny when you’re that small, you really don’t know what it is that draws you into something. As I’ve gotten older, I think it’s just the honesty of country music. I can’t remember what artist it was, but I read a quote that they were talking about, the same topic, which was so awesome. Oh, I remember, it was Brad Paisley’s linear notes on his new album. It was something like “we’re not afraid to talk about things in country music. We talk about home life, alcholism, affairs,” and I think that’s what I like about it; it’s real life, it’s real therapeutic.

You’re in the studio right now working on your album. How is it going so far?

It’s going great. I’ve been working with a new producer, Buddy Cannon. Well, he’s new to me! He’s definitely not new to producing which is what is just so wonderful. He’s just so wise and I feel like I have just learned a ton from him. I’ve really grown as an artist just working with him. I love it, it’s been a great experience so far. I’m anxious to get it out so other people can hear it and not just me!

Are there any favorite tracks so far?

Oh, let me think… I love the track of a ballad that I wrote called “Daisy.” It’s pretty sparse, very emotional track. There’s a really cool intro on it and I like those kind of things. A little dramatic element from production that I feel really amps up the drama. So, I really love that track.

Do you have a date yet for your album?

I don’t have a date for the album release, but we’re hoping for a single near the end of February.

Any idea what the single will be?

We don’t know yet. I’m hoping to find out really soon. I’ve got some meetings coming and I’m hoping to find out.

You’ve been writing a lot this year, but is there any artist you’d love to write with?

Wow, an artist… I’m trying to go through the list of artist-writers that I know. You know, I respect – Brad Paisley’s a great writer and that might be fun. He’s got such a great sense of humor and I like how he writes his type of songs. That would really be fun!

Do you feel like there’s a big difference in your sound this time around?

I do, actually! You know, I’m glad I didn’t describe what we’ve done with the production musically. You know, it’s all about balance. It’s all about “you wear long sleeves, go short on the bottom,” that kind of thing. We’re really seeing a great balance on this, this time around, because I’m such a country person and I’m such a country singer that we balanced this with these tracks. These tracks are really rockin’. I think it’s a really cool combination.

So, do you think that your background as a Georgia girl has a big influence in your sound?

You know, I think it is but I think this time that the music now it’s a very subtle thing. I think that, you know, that Georgia is very soulful, and Southern girls are very sassy, but in a smart way, I like to think. (laughs). I think that you’ll notice that in the music. As far as me jumping up and down going “I’m from Georgia and I eat peaches!,” that’s not what this music is going to be about.

So, no “Georgia Peaches” songs this time around?

(laughs) yeah, not this time.

Now, someone told me that you play a little mandolin. Do you play any other instruments too?

I play guitar and a little piano and I’m kind of a, you know in the classification of Nashville I’m definitely not a “musician.” But I like to play. I like to pose as a musician. I’m kind of on a song-to-song basis as well. If I love a song – I’ll learn how to play it.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you’re writing? Do the lyrics usually come first for you, or the melody?

You know it depends. I get asked that question a lot as a songwriter, and I found that every song has its own life and takes its own path and they come along their own way. Sometimes there’s a lyrical idea, sometimes its a melody. Sometimes it’s kind of neither. It sort of like – comes out of the blue all at once.

Speaking of writing songs… You Tweeted that the Cody Johnson Band cut one of your songs. Which song was it?

Yeah! It’s called.. Lord, have mercy what is the title of that song? Oh! “A Different Day.” It’s a song that I really liked that song. Usually I’m writing for my own projects, but Cody is a friend and I think he’s really talented. I think he’s going to be a big artist one day. He and I sat down and wrote a song for him. I found out that he cut it and it’ll be the title track for his new record. And that’s exciting!

Have you heard his version yet?

I haven’t and I am waiting for him to send it to me! (laughs) Put that in big letters that he can send it to me anytime!

You know Luke Bryan pretty well, how did you two meet?

We met before either one of us actually moved to Nashville. His family and my family have been friends since way back. So, we just knew each other and knew that there was a mutual interest in country music. He’s about ten years older than me, I think, so I was a fan of his and always have been – and still am!

Has he given you any awesome advice that you still listen to?

Oh yeah. He’s always giving me advice. (laughs) I think he thinks of me as his little sister. I’m trying to think of specific pieces of advice that he’s always told me.. he’s the one that was like “Joanna! You need to learn to play and sing all these songs,” and you know, he was always giving me an example of somebody that was doing that, that was super cool. It made me want to do certain things. I remember the two of us were driving home from Nashville and he was giving me singing lessons, pointing out other girls on the radio and how they sing and how I should sing (laughs). He’s definitely an advice giver.

You’ve toured with some pretty big acts, but what is your best memory from the road and who was your favorite person to tour with?

I love being out – we went out for a weekend with Miranda [Lambert]. She’s a friend and I support her. It’s just so much fun to be around another girl that’s in my generation, you know, that has similar interest and as an artist that writes all her own music. She’s really pulled up the ranks the hard way. She and I have all that in common and it was just so inspiring to open up for her and see what she’s built. My favorite moment was when she pulled me up onstage for the encore on both of the nights for “I Love Rock N’ Roll” and it was just so much fun. It was just a blast.

Is there any song out right now on the charts that you wish you wrote?

Hm, what do I love.

I know you like the Ronnie Dunn song, you Tweeted about it last week.

Did I?

I’m a bit of a Twitter stalker (laughs).

No, no, that’s awesome! I couldn’t remember if I Tweeted it or not, put that one down! ‘Cause I love that song. Other favorites right now are Eden’s Edge “Amen,” Chris Young’s single “You.”

What are three things you can’t live without?

Three things? Food? (laughs) I love to eat and I love great food. Obviously, nobody can live without food. Books. Food, books and music.

I’ve heard that there’s a funny story behind “Kissin’ In Public”…

(laughs) uh, yeah! It’s a funny thing. You’ll probably figure it out, but it’s about the most successful female songwriter in town and she’s also a good friend of mine. She started dating a guy, she’s not still with the guy ’cause this was a while back when I was writing the song, but she was in a new relationship. When she was asked how she would describe the relationship and if they were official or not.. she said they were kissing in public and that was a big deal (laughs). I was like, “oh my Gosh, I have to write that song.” She and I were friends and I heard it through a friend of a friend. If she and I were standing there together, she and I probably would have written a song about it on the spot. But I wasn’t so I ended up writing it with someone else. This girl has the Midas Touch ’cause even when she’s not writing songs, other people are writing songs that she inspired.

So is “Gettin’ Married” a true story too?

It’s definitely true at the time that I wrote it at my early teens. All of my friends in high school and college just started getting married left and right. Every weekend back home was just filled with weddings or going to weddings, I mentioned that to one of my co-writers.

Do you have any advice for someone who might be thinking of moving to Nashville to try to break into the business like you did?

Yes, make sure you’re moving here because there’s nothing else that you would rather do. If you’re moving here to be a big, huge star that’s a good thing, that’s always what drives us forward, but make sure you are here for the music. I’m saying it from seven and a half years of my life in this career and I’m really proud of the accomplishments that I’ve had, and being a signed artist, but the secret to success is so far and few in-between. You need to be here just because you love music. It’s a major commitment and probably the most trying and difficult thing and challenging thing that you’ll ever set out to do. Other than raising kids. Not that I’ve ever done that, but I’ve heard!

You can connect with Joanna by:

@farmgirljoanna
http://www.youtube.com/user/joannasmith
http://www.joannasmithofficial.com/

How Sony Music’s Restructuring Effects Country Music

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:20:08 +0000

Country music fans have been a little worried and confused this week over the announcement of Sony Music’s restructuring of its labels. While no major acts have been dropped, a lot of shuffling has gone on. We have the new artist lists by label here for you to help ease that confusion while the official websites get caught up and switch over. With the removal of Columbia Nashville, Miranda Lambert and the Pistol Annies were one of the acts switched to a different branch of Sony Music Nashville.

For a full list of how it effected country, click the “read more” button.

ARISTA Roster:

Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Ronnie Dunn
Kix Brooks
Jerrod Niemann
Brent Anderson
Adam Brand
Kristen Kelly

COLUMBIA/BNA Roster:

Wade Bowen
Kenny Chesney
Bradley Gaskin
Casey James
The Lunabelles
Kellie Pickler
Jordyn Shellhart
Joanna Smith
Tyler Farr

RCA Roster:

Bush Hawg
Sara Evans
Danny Gokey
Miranda Lambert
Love And Theft
Jake Owen
Pistol Annies
Josh Thompson
Chris Young

How Sony Music's Restructuring Effects Country Music

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:20:08 +0000

For a full list of how it effected country, click the “read more” button.

ARISTA Roster:

Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Ronnie Dunn
Kix Brooks
Jerrod Niemann
Brent Anderson
Adam Brand
Kristen Kelly

COLUMBIA/BNA Roster:

Wade Bowen
Kenny Chesney
Bradley Gaskin
Casey James
The Lunabelles
Kellie Pickler
Jordyn Shellhart
Joanna Smith
Tyler Farr

RCA Roster:

Bush Hawg
Sara Evans
Danny Gokey
Miranda Lambert
Love And Theft
Jake Owen
Pistol Annies
Josh Thompson
Chris Young

Steel Magnolia joins CW’s Fashion Show Lineup

Lydia Picknell — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:14:34 +0000

Steel Magnolia and Joe Nichols are the latest acts added on to the Country Weekly Fashion Show lineup. The event is part of the Musician’s on Call program, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in America. Both Steel Magnolia and Nichols will perform at the event, while other country stars will walk the catwalk. Hosted by Suzanne Alexander, the full list of participants is below the cut. You can catch this special event in Nashville on June 7th. Tickets are available on ticketmaster.com.

On the Runway:
Joey + Rory
Danny Gokey
Bucky Covington
Tiffany
Sarah Darling
Katie Armiger
Carter’s Chord
Ty Herndon
Stealing Angels
Burns & Poe
Joanna Smith
LoCash Cowboys
Ashley Gearing
James Wesley
Danielle Peck
Margaret Durante
EMCEE: Suzanne Alexander