Just 23 years old and already a seasoned veteran of Nashville’s elite songwriting community, Conner Smith has emerged as one of Country’s most hotly-anticipated artists – one knows the past can still inspire the present, and good things come to those who wait.
We asked, and Conner answered.
Q. Who has inspired you musically?
A. For me, it was always the songwriters in Nashville growing up. Learning about the people who writing the stories behind all the songs that I loved. They were the ones always pushing me to be better.
Q. Who are some artists on your playlist for the summer?
A. Shaboozy, Turnpike Troubadours and Eric Church
Q. How did you know you wanted to be a songwriter? Does your family sing or were they singers or in the music industry?
A. None of my family was actually in the music industry but growing up in Nashville, I was surrounded by so much creativity of songwriters in this town and Country music. My mom worked for one of the local news stations in Nashville and interviewed a lot of songwriters so I was always trying to tag along and learn from them.
Q. What inspired you to write the songs on Smoky Mountains?
A. The songs on my debut record were my way of capturing the past 3 years of my life. Being a kid from Tennessee, so much of my heart and story, I feel like Smoky Mountains was inspired by my journey of chasing a dream but also a longing for home and getting back to the place that made me.
Q. What was it like working with your brother on your music videos- who came up with the idea?
A. It’s been a lot of fun working with my brother. We’ve been doing this from the very beginning, and I love how both of our dreams can work off each other. He’s usually the visionary for so many things and I love the way he’s able to bring to life the songs I write, visually.
Q. Who would you love to collaborate with?
A. Kenny Chesney and Eric Church.
Q. What’s your favorite thing about performing? Do you ever get nervous performing?
A. I love the energy of the crowd every night and connecting with them in such a personal way. It’s inspiring to see the way my songs connect with people. I very rarely get nervous aside from a few exceptions like when I played the Grand Ole Opry for the first time but most of the time I’m more excited than anything.
Q. What advice do you have for aspiring singer songwriters?
A. Write songs every day, learn how to tell your story and move to Nashville. There’s something about being in Nashville that sparks a spirit of creativity that always pushed you to be better.
Q. You recently got married- how does it feel?
A. It feels great! It’s been really exciting to step into this new season. There’s been so much change but it’s been awesome being able to share this journey with someone.
Q. Lastly, what are your plans for your career and family in the next year?
A. We’ve got the pedal to the metal the rest of the year playing so many shows every weekend between my headlining Storyteller tour and joining Luke Bryan on his farm tour. I’m also prepping new music, which I think is the best music I’ve ever put out.
