Byther Smith

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Byther Smith (April 17, 1933) is an American blues musician noted for his gritty style and uncompromising delivery. Born in Monticello, Mississippi, the sixth oldest of seven children, Smith immigrated to Chicago in the mid 1950's. Although he worked for a candy company, Smith's real passion was music. He played bass for a three-piece jazz combo for a few years, but he eventually got a spot playing rhythm guitar for Otis Rush. In the early sixties, Smith began to take the guitar more seriously and learned much from blues legends such as J.B. Lenoir (a first cousin), Robert Jr. Lockwood, and Hubert Sumlin. After years playing in clubs all over America and the world, a demo tape Smith recorded became the album Tell Me How You Like It, released by the Texas-based Grits label. In 1995 Smith retired from his job at Economy Folding Box Company after twenty-five years, allowing him to focus fully on music. He still records and tours frequently.