Byther Smith
| Byther Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Byther Smith |
| Born |
April 17, 1933 Monticello, Mississippi, United States |
| Genres | Blues |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, singer |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | Late 1950s–present |
Byther Smith (born April 17, 1933 in Monticello, Mississippi, United States) is an American blues musician, noted for his gritty style and uncompromising delivery.[1]
Career
Born the sixth oldest of seven children, Smith migrated to Chicago in the mid 1950s. 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 1960s, Smith began to take the guitar more seriously and learned from J. B. Lenoir, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and Hubert Sumlin.[1]
After years playing in clubs all over the United States and the world, a demo tape Smith recorded became the album Tell Me How You Like It, released by the Texas based Grits record label. His next release in the UK was Addressing The Nation with The Blues for JSP Records.[2] In 1995, Smith retired from his job at Economy Folding Box Company after twenty-five years, allowing him to focus fully on music.
Delmark Records boss Bob Koester observed, "There's a mellowness there that is disappearing in all but B.B. King".[2]
Smith still records and tours frequently.[1]
Family
Byther Smith is a first cousin of fellow blues musician and Monticello native, J. B. Lenoir.[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Dahl, Bill (1933-04-17). "Byther Smith - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited. p. 167. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
External links
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