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Musical Talent
Tony Smotherman
Providing us with a world of melodic phrases and outstanding guitar master techniques, Tony Smotherman is a young virtuoso musician who has gained recognition worldwide. He combines techniques used on instruments from across the globe (such as the sitar) with highly melodic phrasing and insane chops.
His unique playing, which blends the styles of rock, blues, jazz, classical, and new age along with sounds from around the world (including India, Ireland, Africa, and Brazil) creates one huge musical package. Tony's peers are left wondering in confusion about the wonderful sounds they hear from his wonderful music and his fans want to get a glimpse of this gifted artist that has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Jacksonville, FL USA and even for Queen Elizabeth II.
Check iD out and come meet once again Tony Smotherman, an artist and a very spiritual person. Read the interview below and even get an expert guitar lesson on iD Arts Magazine's music page, available at www.idmagazine.cc. Sound clips of Tony's playing are offered on his Web site, available at www.tonysmotherman.com. Thanks, Tony, for all your hard work with iD's second interview.
Guitarist Tony Smotherman has joined iD Arts Magazine Jacksonville for a much anticipated SECOND interview on Valentine's Day 2008. Come meet Tony again and read his original interview on the Music page of our mother site (iD Arts Magazine), available at www.idmagazine.cc.
iD Arts Magazine Jacksonville (iD): We know you were born in Athens, Greece and have lived in the Jacksonville area for a long time. Please tell us the ups and downs about the greater Jacksonville music scene.
Tony Smotherman (TS): The Jacksonville music scene thrives for a certain genre, mostly being younger bands playing pop/rock. I think the city would be much more cultured if we had more open mics for blues, rock, and acoustic musicians. That's a great way for musicians to hook up with others and keeps the music scene healthy. Unfortunately there are very, very few places for people to get together and play some music in Jacksonville! I hope that changes for the sake of the music scene here.
iD: What interested you in choosing the guitar? Do you prefer acoustic or electric guitar and how long have you played?
TS: I think the sound is what allured me to electric guitar . . . hearing Jimi Hendrix hold that one note and let it feedback for days! I can't really choose a preference for acoustic or electric because I'm very fond of both, but I definitely spend more time on electric these days. I've been playing 13 years.
iD: We know that J.S. Bach, Jimi Hendrix, and other international musicians made a big impact on your life. What LOCAL musicians do you think have influenced you the most and how, both old and new, good and bad?
TS: When I was younger I lived very far from the city of Jacksonville, I lived in the rural section. I was left to my own devices in a lot of ways because I was too young to drive into town to check out the music scene much less get into clubs to hear guitar players. All that I had were my favorite cds, my guitar, and my love for music. I can't say any particular musician in greater Jacksonville inspired me in a musical way.
iD: What was the best piece of advice you've ever received about music? What is the best advice that you can give young and upcoming guitarists?
TS: Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Do your own exploring and find your voice, the one that only comes with persistence and dedication. It's a great thing when someone hears you and knows who it is just by a few notes!
iD: What projects are you currently working on? We know that you have a few cds for purchase...please tell us about those. Tell us all about "Madison's Lullaby" and "From My Heart," both from your The Light Within cd.
TS: I'm working on my third solo album right now. There's so much involved putting together a cd. You have to take lots of things into consideration, like are the songs powerful and the arrangements flowing together. Everyone has their own method for what works for them. My first two cds are available at TonySmotherman.com. You can get them there or order them elsewhere on the Net.
"Madison's Lullaby" is an acoustic piece that I wrote for a friend, and was unintentionally written in less than an hour. "From my Heart" was actually written and performed by Indian Slide Guitar Master V.M Bhatt for The Light Within.
iD: Where have you had recent airplay and where (we haven't heard your music on air here in Jacksonville but have heard your name mentioned on a rare occasion)?
TS: No airplay in Jacksonville. There have been commercials playing clips of my music on some of our more popular stations but most airplay I receive is out of America done by Webcasters who have radio Internet shows. There is an actual broadcast radio station owned by PBS where they feature instrumental guitarists, the station is in Melbourne, Australia, I've been frequented on that show quite a bit. It's called "FretNet."
iD: Tony, on your Web site, we noticed that you have some endorsements.
TS: Endorsements are an interesting subject because just about everyone wants something for free. As I've gotten older and hopefully more mature, my thoughts have totally changed. When I was younger I used to dream of having a string endorsement, after a while, I got one, as things progressed for me a bit, a few companies contacted me about using their products and I thought "Well, I wouldn't ever use it . . . but what the hell."
After a while I began to realize it's not about what you HAVE, it's about WHAT YOU USE. Honestly, If I don't seriously need to have it as an important part of my work and feel that I should push the product because I really believe in it, I'd rather not even have the endorsement.
To answer your question, right now I have endorsements with: Halo Guitars, DR Strings, X2 Digital Wireless, Coffin Cases, Intellitouch Tuners, Spectraflex Cables, The Guitar Wheel, and EMG Pickups.
iD: You've had a guitar instructional video for a while now. How are sales and who is buying? Are there others planned for the future?
TS: I have two of them "Licks of the Absurd" and "Virtuoso Techniques." They're doing fine. There's not a very big market in the USA but, none the less, they're getting out there. I am talking with two other companies now for two new DVD instructional videos in 2008, but we'll see if this comes to pass with all the musical projects going on right now.
iD: We have noticed in your music a heavy Middle Eastern influence. Please tell us about this.
TS: I have always been influenced by that sound since I first started playing. My mom used to play a lot of world music (Greek, Indian, Middle Eastern, Celtic) when I was growing up and, since it's already in my blood, it's just natural for it to kind of pop up into my music. I have delved way deeper in the past few years and have experimented on other instruments like Sitar, Sarod, and the Mohan Veena (Indian slide guitar). So many musical possibilities . . . cultural music is so deep, especially the music from India. I've learned a lot of new Indian Ragas in the past few months.
iD: You don't have as big an ego as we would expect from a guitarist with a vast knowledge and ability to play as many styles as you do. How do you keep yourself level-headed?
TS: I guess what's more important to me is that I'm on my own journey to keep learning, I don't have time to stop and claim to do anything out of the ordinary. Having a great attitude and a longing to become more knowledgeable about your instrument is a far better use of time.
iD: Anything new and exciting planned in 2008 that you can share with us?
TS: Halo Guitars is releasing my signature guitar at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tennessee this year. I'm really excited about this!
iD: Tony, tell us about your Web site, available at www.tonysmotherman.com.
TS: Check it out for just about anything and everything Tony Smotherman you want to or don't want to know . . . and then some.
iD: Tony, thanks so much for this peek into your life and music. You certainly seem to eat, sleep, breathe, and live music! Good luck to you in the future.
TS: Thanks!
From a fan:
"Watching Tony play at the Backstage Lounge in Gainesville was one word . . . ORGASMIC! Ha ha, no, seriously, I was so amazed by his unblievable RAW talent! I listen to all kinds of music and usually I get bored with instrumentals but, not this time. I didn't want him to stop playing! Tony and the guys even took pictures with me! He was so down-to-earth, not mention how sexy he is too! His music made me want to be up on stage with him. I wanted to be as close as I possibly could. I never left the room once he started playing; I didn't want to miss anything -- iIt was like I was in a trance. I've never heard or seen anything like him. He has a gift from God. Can't wait to see him again! TONY, YOU ROCK!"
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