On The Row: Conner Smith Preps For Debut Album Release

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Conner Smith. Photo: Luke Hutcherson

Leading up to his full-length debut album release on Friday (Jan. 26), Conner Smith dropped by the MusicRow offices this week to give a preview of a few songs.

The album, titled Smoky Mountains, is a 12-song project that includes Smith’s Gold-certified “Take It Slow,” viral hit “I Hate Alabama,” top-15-and-climbing single “Creek Will Rise” and more. Smith co-wrote all but one song on the Zach Crowell-produced album, and feels that he has truly found his sound with the effort.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow‘s Liza Anderson, Madison Hahnen, John Nix Arledge and LB Cantrell; Conner Smith; Homestead’s Brad Belanger; MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson and Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Shelby Paul

He had some time to put into the collection. After entering his publishing deal when he was only 16, Smith was signed to The Valory Music Co. a few years later in 2019. Just as he was getting started, his momentum was forced to slow down due to the pandemic. Though disappointing for Smith, he’s come out the other side grateful for time spent slowing down and working on his craft.

“I’ve always been in love with the storytelling of country music,” he said. “I’ve dedicated my life to trying to figure out how to be a songwriter, and how to capture those same emotions that I felt as a kid growing up in this town. Country music shaped so much of my life.”

For the MusicRow team, Smith played samplings of Smoky Mountains such as the moody duet with Hailey Whitters “Roulette On The Heart,” the electrifying attention-grabber “Heatin’ Up,” the romantic story-song “Meanwhile In Carolina” and his infectious runaway hit “Creek Will Rise.”

To celebrate the album’s release, Smith will play a sold-out show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl on Friday night. Then he will head to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the last date of the “Creek Will Rise Tour.” Smith will also play the iconic New Faces of Country Music Show at the upcoming Country Radio Seminar (CRS).

Smith is signed to Big Machine Label Group (The Valory Music Co.), managed by Homestead/Red Light, published by Warner Chappell Music/Home Team Music/Miller Crow Music and booked by WME.

LB Cantrell
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