Singer-songwriter Granger Smith bringing his melodic style (and unique alter-ego) to Red Willow County Fair
Granger Smith -- this year's Friday night headliner at the Red Willow County Fair -- admitted that he hadn't necessarily set out to be an "indie" performer when he started his career more than a decade ago.
"When I knew I wanted to be a singer-songwriter for a living, I never set out to be totally grassroots," Smith, a Texas native, said. "Probably no one does. At that time, there was a system and most people followed that system. Write a song, book a studio and musicians, play a showcase, get a record deal, get famous, request all green M&Ms."
But after multiple studio albums, tours in the U.S., concerts for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a by-invitation performance at the White House, Smith has managed to carve out more than a foothold for himself in the ultra-competitive music industry, thanks to his melodic songs about everyday love and life, his work ethic in the studio, his near-nonstop touring schedule -- and a guy named Earl Dibbles Jr.
"I've taken a unique path, which has been partly unplanned, but very rewarding," he said.
Very rewarding might be putting it modestly. His latest album, 2013's "Dirt Road Driveway," debuted at number one on the iTunes Country Chart, reached number 15 on the Billboard Country Album Chart and hit number 11 on the trade publication's Independent Album Chart. Plus, a single from that album -- "Silverado Bench Seat" -- debuted to audiences nationwide on ESPN's Sportscenter.
And then there's Earl. Mr. Dibbles Jr. is Smith's alter-ego, created when he and his brother were goofing around in front of a camera on the ranch where they grew up. "Earl represents at least half of my family," Smith said, "so it was easy to jump in my old truck, grab my shotgun and slip right into character."
That character became a viral video sensation, with a pair of singles ("The Country Boy Song" and "Country Boy Love") that show off Smith's playful comedic side -- a side that has won him fans the world over.
But the seriousness that Smith puts into his musical efforts shines through, be it the Irish-folk flavor of "I'm Wearing Black," the plaintative regret of "Don't Listen to the Radio" or the laid-back pleasures of "Miles and Mud Tires," another of the singles from "Dirt Road Driveway."
Smith said, "Every album, every song, every drum beat that you've heard from me over the last seven years has come from my home studio out of these little speakers and was edited by me until I've felt it was right to release."
That dedication has already paid dividends, and doesn't seem to be slowing. "Everyday I'm thankful, everyday I'm excited," Smith said. "The world will always need new music and luckily, I can never get new music out of my head!"
Tickets for the Friday, July 25, Granger Smith concert at the Kiplinger Arena are now on sale at McCook National Bank, Loop Brewing Company, KICX/KBRL and the Fair Board Office. They are also available online at grangersmith.com or at ticketstorm.com. Ticket prices are $20 prior to the show, or $25 at the door.