Chris Smither Tickets

About Chris Smither

His father bought him a guitar from Spain and soon after the family shifted back o New Orleans where his father was a professor in Tulane University. Chris Smither’s love for music blossomed early and in 1960 Smither along with his friends participated in the “Battle of the Bands” in New Orleans Saenger Theatre. After graduating from Benjamin Franklin High School and attending the University of the Americas he wanted to take up anthropology. Things change as Chris Smither listened to “Blues in My Bottle” from Lightin’ Hopkins. His return to New Orleans marked a change in his life. He listened to John Hurt which was another major influence in his songs. In 1964 Chris Smither was on his way to translantic voyage to Paris. He was going there to attend Junior Year Abroad program. On his way he met his idol Mississippi John Hurt. In 1956 he set out for Florida accompanied by his guitar and a few clothes. He met Eric von Schmidt who was another major influence in his life. He listened to Chris and asked him to go to north to understand the basic concepts of folk. He soon started playing in Club 47 and soon he was playing with Schmidt. He started writing his own songs and by 1967 he was the face of the Broadside Magazine and later he also appeared as the Face of Folk Music in David Gahr’s book. He was a frequent visitor to Dick Waterman’s place which was known as the popular haunt of all blues legends like Son House and Fred McDowell. He performed “Love you Like a Man” and Bonnie Rait, Waterman’s friend recorded the song which would appear much later. I’m A Stranger Too appeared in 1970 and then there was Honeysuckle Dog in 1973. There was some problem in releasing the album and it was finally in 2004 that the album was released. His longstanding friendship with Bonnie Rait has been fruitful in many ways. Love Me like a Man in Bonnie Rait’s album known as Give It Up. This song ahs almost become a signature song and Bonnie has performed this song in a number of occasions. She has great respect for Chris Smither and has also covered many of his songs like “I Feel the Same”. Smither suffered a period of stagnation for some years and soon appeared from his exile in 1970. He featured in a number of magazines and books. Again in 1998 he started songwriting and HighTone Records re-released Another Way to Find You. Smither also toured with Tom Russell, Jack Elliott and Dave Alvin in “Monsters of Folk” tour. Slow Surprise was indeed a surprise which was taken as soundtrack for the touching movie Horse Whisperer. “No Love Today” came out in Bravo network programs later he was invited by Peter Case for Mississippi John Hurt tribute record. The opening track “Frankie and Albert” is sung by him. Discography Leave the Light On-2006 Train Home-2003 Live As I’ll Ever Be-2000 Drive You Home Again-1999 Small Revelations-1997 Up on the Lowdown-1995 Happier Blue-1993 Another Way to Find You-1991 It Ain’t Easy-1984 Honeysuckle Dog-1973 Don’t It Drag On-1971 I’m a Stranger Too!-1970