Johnsmith

Over two decades of performing at festivals, concert halls and coffee houses, colleges and house concerts, along with a half dozen acclaimed CD’s, Johnsmith has built a solid fan base in the U.S. and abroad, including many in Norman.  His songs go straight to the heart because that is where they come from.  Words like integrity, uplifting, heart or soul are used consistently to describe the man and his music.

"I have been fortunate enough to hear Johnsmith play both in Norman at the Winter Wind concert series and also in Ireland.  He is more than a musician.  He is a storyteller who beautifully gives voice and chords to places, nature, family, friends and life events that we can all relate to.  I'm really looking forward to hearing him play again" says Norman resident Anne Harris who, with several others from Norman, took a Johnsmith led tour of Ireland after his concert here.

CD Baby describes Johnsmith’s CD, Kickin’ This Stone as “a fine example of some great contemporary folk music.  It is gently beautiful storytelling sung with a smooth and lovely voice. There's good reason that this artist has been performing on the main stages of folk festivals around the country!”

His more recent CD, Break Me Open, brings forth Johnsmith’s brand of earthy spirituality and addresses the harder sides of life and love.  He calls himself a blue collar songwriter, working to develop his songs one show at a time, all of them deeply felt and sincere.

A past winner of the New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Johnsmith has taught songwriting there and at the Swannanoa Gathering, the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival and the Big Sur Esalen Institute.  He was recently featured on the NPR “New Dimensions” program.

“When I first heard John Smith my attention was captured by his sweet, earthy voice and fine craftsmanship, but what drew me in was his heart.” says Tom Kimmel.  “It's clear that he's lived the pain in his songs and that his optimism is hope born of wisdom. That's a rare thing and a gift to all who hear him.”  .

For additional concert information, or to purchase tickets, contact The Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320.   PAS office hours in the Depot are Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00.  Tickets can also be purchased on-line by clicking the "Buy Now" button above.  For additional information on Johnsmith, visit http://www.johnsmithmusic.com/.

The Performing Arts Studio Winter Wind Concerts are made possible in part by grants from: The Norman Arts Council; Norman Chamber of Commerce Arts Grants; Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Sponsors include Tom McAuliffe: Don Cies Real Estate; Mark and Teresa Marsee, Avante Skin Care; and Nancy McClellan.  Contributors include Skye Diers: Gingerbread Kindergarten and Nursery School, and Friends Becky Grider and Danna Primm.