| Tim Wildsmith | |
|---|---|
Tim Wildsmith performing at the Waiting Room; Omaha, NE, August 21, 2009 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Timothy Wildsmith |
| Born | October 21, 1982 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative Pop Indie Rock |
| Occupations | Singer-Songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar Vocals Piano |
| Labels | None |
| Website | www.timwildsmith.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Gibson Hummingbird | |
Richard Timothy Wildsmith (born October 21, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska. His music has been categorized in several genres, including alternative, pop, indie, and rock.
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Tim Wildsmith was born on Atlanta, Georgia to Dennis and Donna Wildsmith. Due to his father's job as a corporate executive, the family relocated several times through Wildsmith's childhood. He has lived in Atlanta, St. Louis, Omaha, Indianapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, and Nashville. As a child Wildsmith was influenced by his parents music collections. He grew up listening to Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys. At an early age he began singing in the church choir, and at age fourteen he began learning how to play the guitar in order to be in the youth band at church. At age fifteen Wildsmith began attending Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska. There he became involved in music and theatre, performing in many plays and musicals, as well as the school's show choir. During this time he also developed a passion for songwriting and began experimenting with his guitars at home.[1]
At age eighteen Wildsmith enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. There he studied the music industry, and in 2005 he graduated with honors, earning a BBA in Music Business and Marketing.
In the spring of 2005, Wildsmith released his first full-length album, "Come Out Clean." Produced by good friend and fellow musician, Andy Davis, this album was geared towards the CCM market. Wildsmith had spent recent years working as a worship leader at First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville. He wrote and recorded "Come Out Clean" during this time and soon began to travel the country performing at churches and youth rallies. In the fall of 2005, WIldsmith returned to Omaha to take a position on staff at Brookside Church.[2]
During the summer of 2006, Wildsmith returned to the road and spent ten weeks touring the United States. This was his first nationwide tour. He toured under the name Tim Wildsmith Band, and was backed by drummer David Ytterberg, guitarist Jacob Blount, and bassist Paul Dow. He then returned to Omaha in the fall to resume his duties at the church.
In the fall of 2006 Wildsmith met Jason Burkum, a Grammy-award winning producer (2004 Best Rock Gospel Album[3]) who had recently moved from Nashville to Omaha. Wildsmith and Burkum became fast friends and soon began discussing the possibilities of recording Wildsmith's second full-length album. It was Burkum who, after hearing nearly twenty unreleased songs, encouraged Wildsmith to make a mainstream alternative pop album instead of continuing down the path of Christian music. Wildsmith took his advice and decided to basically start his career over.
In January 2007 they began recording at Empty House Studio in Omaha. The recording team consisted of Wildsmith, Burkum, and engineer/drummer Matthew Tobias. After nearly six months of recording Wildsmith officially released "A New Morning" on July 10, 2007. Blending pop melodies with alternative soundscapes, the album drew comparisons to artists such as Aqualung, Damien Rice, Ryan Adams, and The Fray. Wildsmith quickly became a local favorite in the Omaha music scene, earning four nominations at the 2007 Omaha Entertainment Awards (Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Alternative/Indie, Best Spiritual/Gospel).[4]
The song "Recovery" was included on a digital compilation from Rocketown Records called Born After Vinyl, Vol. 1 - Unknown Songs Known.[5]
In April 2008 Wildsmith released "Hummingbird EP," a seven-song acoustic EP released exclusively on iTunes. The EP included four previously unreleased tracks as well as three new recording of songs from "A New Morning."[6]
In July 2009 Wildsmith launched the website www.financemyalbum.com in an effort to raise money to record his upcoming album, "Little Armor." In a video to fans he explained anyone that who donated one dollar to help fund the recording would have their name placed in the liner notes of the album. If fans donated more money they would receive more incentives.
In August 2009 Wildsmith returned to the studio to begin work on his third full-length album. Once again, the production team of Wildsmith, Burkum, and Tobias worked together as co-producers. For the first time in his career, Wildsmith recorded songs that he had been already playing live for several months. His live band of Jakes Adams (guitar), Burkum (bass), Craig Hughes (guitar), and Tobias (drums) had been supporting him on stage for more than two. During the recording process Wildsmith decided he would release the album under the name Tim Wildsmith and The Lost Cause as a nod to the band and how they had shaped his sound and songwriting.[7]
On February 23, 2010 Tim Wildsmith and The Lost Cause released "Little Armor."
In February 2008, Wildsmith was hand-selected by Richard Marx to open a show for him at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In March, Wildsmith was asked to support folk legend Nanci Griffith at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska. Wildsmith was also asked to perform alongside many other notable artists including, Brandi Carlile, Sleeping At Last, Matt Scannell (of Vertical Horizon), and Levi Weaver. His song "A New Morning" was added into official rotation by KIWR 89.7 FM The River on May 26, 2008.[8]
In July 2008, a handful of Wildsmith's songs were featured in an independent Canadian film called "The Storm." Wildsmith performed at the film's premiere on July 29, 2008 at the Vancouver International Film Centre.[9]
Wildsmith has a number of tattoos. His entire left arm is covered in a sleeve tattoo that he acquired over several years. It contains Japanese-style clouds that surround a large tree and a heart with a banner that reads "Love Never Fails*". His right arm is half-covered by a cityscape scene in black and gray shading with a full color sunrise. On his back he has a graffiti-style portrait of The Last Supper of Christ. His main tattooist is Devin Ferguson of the Omaha shop Liquid Courage.
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2nd Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards | Album Of The Year - nominated Best New Artist - nominated Best Alternative/Indie - nominated Best Spiritual/Gospel |
| 2009 | Scooters Coffeehouse Songwriting Competition | Winner |