Brent Smith
Encyclopedia
Brent Smith is the lead vocalist
and singer-songwriter
of the band Shinedown
. His biggest influences as a singer are Otis Redding
, Billie Holiday
, and Chris Cornell
.
; however, Brent left to find other musicians to form a new band which would become Shinedown
.
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
and singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
of the band Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
. His biggest influences as a singer are Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
, Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
, and Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
.
Personal life
Brent has previously suffered with an addiction to drugs such as cocaine and Oxycontin, but has now been sober since 2008. He credits the birth of his son, Lyric, with this turn around, stating that he "saved me from my vanity." He wrote a song called "If You Only Knew" about his then "Lady" or mother of his child. Brent says he would never write a love song, but then again never really had something to write about. He often discusses this song in his concerts."Early career
In the early 90s Brent was in a band called "Blind Thought." Directly before Shinedown, Brent was the lead singer in a band called "Dreve," which operated in the East Tennessee area. He was soon given a developmental contact by Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
; however, Brent left to find other musicians to form a new band which would become Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
.
Collaborations
- He is featured on a song with hard rock band SalivaSaliva (band)Saliva is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in September 1996 and currently under Island Records. Saliva released their self-titled debut album on August 26, 1997, under Rocking Chair Records....
called "Don't Question My Heart", which was the ECW brand's theme song, which features on WWE The Music, Vol. 8WWE The Music, Vol. 8WWE The Music Volume 8 is a compilation album released by WWE on March 25, 2008. Unlike its predecessor, which was released exclusively on iTunes, Volume 8 was sold as a CD in addition to being offered on iTunes....
. - He also features on another song with hard rock band SalivaSaliva (band)Saliva is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in September 1996 and currently under Island Records. Saliva released their self-titled debut album on August 26, 1997, under Rocking Chair Records....
called "My Own Worst Enemy" which features on Saliva'sSaliva (band)Saliva is an American rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in September 1996 and currently under Island Records. Saliva released their self-titled debut album on August 26, 1997, under Rocking Chair Records....
Sixth Album Cinco Diablo. - He is credited with co-writing the song "There and Back Again" on Daughtry's self-titled debut album.
- Brent is featured as a background vocalist on Theory of a DeadmanTheory of a DeadmanTheory of a Deadman is a Canadian rock band from Delta, British Columbia, formed in 2001. The band is currently signed to Roadrunner Records as well as Island Records. The band also includes traits of other music styles, such as country and acoustic, as well as their post-grunge and alternative...
's single, "So HappySo Happy (song)"So Happy" is a single by Theory of a Deadman, and the first to be released from their third album Scars & Souvenirs. It was officially released to radio on February 11, 2008, although many rock stations in the United States added it to their rotations earlier. "So Happy" debuted on Billboard's...
". - Acoustic cover of Alice In ChainsAlice in ChainsAlice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
"Nutshell". Duet with Shaun MorganShaun MorganShaun Morgan Welgemoed is a South African musician known as the lead singer and the lead/rhythm guitarist of the post-grunge rock/alternative metal band Seether.-Early life:...
, the lead singer of SeetherSeetherSeether is a post-grunge/alternative metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 1999. The band is currently signed to Wind-up Records...
. The song is featured on The 97X Green Room: Volume 2. - Performed vocals on "Not Strong Enough" for ApocalypticaApocalypticaApocalyptica is a band from Helsinki, Finland, formed in 1993. The band is composed of classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, and Perttu Kivilaakso and drummer Mikko Sirén...
on their new album 7th Symphony7th Symphony (album)-Digital download:Digital download versions include the standard 10 track edition and the limited 12 track edition of the album, with additional bonus tracks "Spiral Architect" or "Return Game"...
.