February 20, 2003

Anthony Smith

Mercury Nashville artist Anthony Smith, whose debut album, If That Ain't Country, was one of country music's most exciting releases of 2002, recently signed a songwriters agreement with BMI. In addition to the title track, the album also boasts "John J. Blanchard" and the current single, "Half A Man."

Brooks Collier of The Firm management company, Anthony Smith and BMI's David Preston

As a songwriter, Anthony has scored with George Strait's "Run," Trace Adkins' "Chrome" and "I'm Tryin'," Montgomery Gentry's "Didn't I," Lonestar's "Without You," and album cuts with Faith Hill and Rascal Flatts, among others. Named "Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year" at the 2002 Music Row Magazine Awards, Anthony also won a 2002 Songwriter Achievement Award for "I'm Tryin'" from the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

BMI's Mark Mason, Bradley Collins and Joyce Rice, Brooks Collier, Anthony Smith, BMI's Perry Howard, David Preston and Thomas Cain

An east Tennessee native, Anthony moved to Kentucky in his early 20s, joining a house band called Sneaky Pete at the Soundstage club. After playing in his own band for a few more years, he made the move to Nashville. He was soon invited to play at a writers night at the Broken Spoke, which turned into an extended gig. He garnered interest from publishers and record label executives; when Mercury Nashville head Luke Lewis heard one of his demos, he immediately offered the writer a home.

For more information, visit http://www.anthonysmith.com.

photos by Brian Tipton