|
"I cannot rest
from travel: I will drink
Life to the lees."
-Alfred Tennyson
Still in his 20’s having played two tours in Europe, two tours in
Iraq and Kuwait for the American Soldiers, and two shows at the
White House including one for President Bush himself, Granger Smith
will never say he didn’t “Live life to the lees.”
“Music is what I do” quips Smith. “If I can help someone get lost
in the moment of a song long enough to forget the worries of the
world or long enough to remember what’s most important, then I’ve
done my job.” Granger’s musical contributions are not limited to
the exotic travels or remote locations. Since his early teens, the
native Texan has been writing, singing and honing his craft as a
musician. At 19, his work paid off by landing him a songwriting
contract with the world famous EMI Music Publishing in Nashville.
Smith, a former member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M,
followed his dream east on what would be a five year stay in
Tennessee. “That experience at 19 years old was critical in
developing who I am today as an artist,” says Granger. “I tried to
soak in the craft of songwriting like a sponge from the older guys I
was paired with. I credit so much of my learning to those mentors.”
In 2004, upon signing a new publishing contract under singer Phil
Vassar, Granger was given the freedom to return to Texas and
rediscover himself as an artist. He re-entered the Texas market and
re-enrolled at Texas A&M University. Over the next two years, Smith
released three albums and received his bachelor’s degree from A&M
all while tearing up the Texas highways on the way to the next
concert. As an aid to developing his signature sound, Smith recorded
and produced his most recent albums himself in his own studio with
his own band. “The freedom to take our time in the studio with my
own band is priceless,” says Granger.
In appreciation to his alma mater, Granger wrote the song “We Bleed
Maroon” with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for incoming
students with exceptional spirit. The song was quickly adopted as a
modern day anthem for the school and the music video is still played
on the jumbotron at Texas A&M home football games. On May 31st
2008, the song was taken even higher when it traveled on the Space
Shuttle Discovery with Astronaut Michael Fossum and the STS-124
Crew.
Although his songs alone, chiseled from deep roots in country and
rock music seem to capture all generations from all over the world,
Granger Smith was born to be an entertainer. People are naturally
drawn to his charisma from casual music lovers to esteemed
diplomats, from young children to the President of the United States
himself.
Granger is an adept presence both on the stage and through the
speaker, and with the continued rise of popularity will soon be seen
and heard throughout America. However, the imminent question must
be asked: Is the world ready for Granger Smith? |