Featured Expert

“When I write a song,” says Darden Smith, “the way it ends up is usually not the way I thought it would be when I started.” And that notion of exploration, of following unexpected paths, has been a constant force in his 25-year career as a musician. Smith has long transcended traditional singer-songwriter boundaries as his fascinating musical legacy continues to evolve.

His dozen critically-acclaimed albums weave together rock, pop, country, folk and Americana influences with the musical roots of his home state of Texas. Smith, praised by All Music Guide as “a singer-songwriter blessed with an uncommon degree of intelligence, depth, and compassion,” enjoys broad appeal on both the American and British music scenes – likened to songwriters such as Nick Drake, John Hiatt, Leonard Cohen and Elvis Costello.

Smith moved to Austin “under the guise of going to college” at the University of Texas, but he instead immersed himself in the burgeoning music scene, where he discovered the blues, reggae, rock, and the music coming out of the U.K. By the time he graduated in 1985, he was a regular headliner on the local and Texas music scenes. His debut album, Native Soil, was recorded in 1986 – and he has continued to play and record ever since.

In addition to his successful recording career, he has expanded his nonprofit "The Be an Artist Program,” a series of workshops that encourage students to explore creativity through songwriting.