May 10, 2012
Watch Joanna's live performance of "We Can't Be Friends" on The Boot!
"Men and women can't be friends," Billy Crystal's character mused in the iconic film When Harry Met Sally. Joanna Smith agrees, especially when it comes to an ex! The Georgia native's poignant new single, "We Can't Be Friends," is all about those lingering feelings that prevent a platonic relationship with a former lover.
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Apr 26, 2012
JOANNA SMITH TO SING ANTHEM AND RUN ST. JUDE COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON PRESENTED BY NISSAN
Sony Music Nashville artist Joanna Smith is not only running her first half marathon at the St. Jude Country Music Marathon Presented by Nissan on April 28 in Nashville, she has been tapped to sing the National Anthem in front of the 30,000+ participants prior to the big event.
Joanna fell in love with the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital the first time she visited several years ago. Fans don't have to run to join Joanna in the fight to raise money and awareness for St. Jude. Everyone can join "St. Jude Heroes - Run for a Reason" by clicking here and supporting Joanna's efforts for St. Jude and the fight against childhood cancer.
"I'm so excited about being involved in the marathon," said Joanna. "When I think about the kids at St. Jude fighting for their lives, running 13 miles doesn't seem like a lot. Singing the national anthem will give me lots of good nervous energy and adrenaline, so I think I'll be good to go come race time!"
For more information on Joanna, view tour dates, catch up on Road-isodes, news, Tweets or purchase a copy of her brand new EP Be What It Wants to Be, visit www.JoannaSmithOfficial.com.
About the St. Jude Country Music Marathon
A Competitor event, the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & ½ Marathon presented by Nissan will celebrate its 13th running in the Music City on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Featuring many of Nashville's best live bands on 28 stages along the 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses, the musically themed road race annually attracts more than 30,000 runners, walkers and junior racers. Race weekend kicks off with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, April 26, includes ING KiDS ROCK Nashville Friday evening and a post-race concert Saturday night at the Bridgestone Arena headlined by Rodney Atkins. The Nashville Convention Center is home to the free Health & Fitness Expo which is open to the public as all race participants pick up their race number, browse through fitness related products, enjoy free samples and interactive clinics. For more information, please visit Competitor.com or follow us on Twitter @RunRocknRoll.
Apr 24, 2012
Joanna will run for kids at Country Music Marathon
After the tough past couple of weeks Joanna Smith has been through, the country music singer could use a break.
Between her allergies acting up and a nagging springtime cold, nobody would blame Smith if she decided not to run Saturday in the St. Jude Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon.
But Smith’s commitment to the St. Jude Heroes program is driving her to push through her own discomfort.
“The kids at St. Jude really are an inspiration,” Smith said. “Thirteen miles is a long way to run, but I’ve just made a conscious effort that while I’m running and the going gets tough, to just think about those kids. And 13 miles is nothing compared to what they’re going through. By golly, I can keep running for them.”
Apr 24, 2012
Joanna Helps Tracy Lawrence with His 2nd Annual Golf & Concert For A Cure
For the second year, Tracy Lawrence will host his Golf & Concert For A Cure benefiting Lace Up 4 Pink and Susan G. Komen of Greater Nashville on April 29-30.
The multi-day charity event will begin at 6 pm Sun., April 29 with a concert at The Mill in Lebanon, TN featuring Lawrence, Ira Dean, The Roys, Lorrie Morgan, Joanna Smith, Rick Huckaby, and special guests. WSIX radio afternoon DJ Anthony Allen joins as special guest host for the concert and live auction.
Apr 19, 2012
Joanna Meets Major General McConville
From: http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/joanna-smith-meets-major-general-mccon...
Columbia/BNA Records artist Joanna Smith sang the National Anthem yesterday in front of over 700 Nashville business and community leaders and public officials at the 10th Annual Lifesaver Breakfast, hosted by the Nashville area chapter of the American Red Cross, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena.
The Lifesaver Breakfast event honored the military who continue to proudly serve the Nashville community, the Tennessee region and nationwide. Prior to singing, Joanna had the honor of meeting Major General James McConville, Commanding General of the 101st Division who accepted the “Service to Excellence Award” on behalf of the 101st.
Feb 16, 2012
Article: Former AU student finds feet in country music
From Opelika-Auburn News
At the age of 19, Joanna Smith left Auburn University to chase her dream of being a country music star when she was hired to be the lead singer of a band, only to be fired from the gig a week after moving to Nashville, Tenn.
“I thought it was my big shot,” Smith said. “I thought I had been discovered
as they say … I’m stuck up there, and I’m not in school, and I’m like, ‘What am I gonna do with my life?’”
Stranded, Smith called on country artist Luke Bryan, her friend and big-brother figure, for help.
“He got me a job working as a receptionist and just encouraged me to just take time and learn the business and learn how to write, and so I did that,” she said.
Since moving to Nashville in 2004, Smith has worked her way up from playing on Broadway, a rite of passage in the country music industry, to signing a deal with Columbia Records in 2009 and a full-time country music career.
“You learn as you go and you gradually build your reputation, and you work your way up the ladder,” she said.
She and her six-piece band will be playing a show at the War Eagle Supper Club in Auburn on Friday starting at 11 p.m., though doors open at 10 p.m. Despite having attended Auburn University, Friday will be Smith’s first time at the concert venue.
“When I was at Auburn, I was too young to get in, so that’s why I’ve never been,” Smith said. “I’m really excited about it.”
Thirteen of Smith’s family members, including both of her parents, attended Auburn University at some time.
“I was only here one year, which was one too short,” she said.
Smith has been performing and singing country music since she was 3 and considers herself to be a creative writer, but she never married writing with music until she moved to Nashville. Writing music is now her day-to-day job.
After signing her record deal, she spent months touring radio stations, traveling between several cities and sometimes taking multiple flights in a day. She has opened for acts such as Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert and played at festivals all over the United States.
“I’d love to come back and play the Auburn Arena, and I’d love to have some hits under my belt so I can be touring,” Smith said.
Feb 9, 2012
Article: Former student turns to her roots after trip to Nashville
From The Auburn Plainsman
In the summer of 2003 after her freshman year at Auburn, Joanna Smith entered a talent show in South Georgia that changed her life.
“The guy that was the sound technician at the show was like, ‘There’s a band in Nashville that really needs a lead singer, and you would be perfect for the part,’ Smith said. “So he hooked me up with these people, and I auditioned a couple times and they convinced us that it was the deal.”
Soon after Smith moved to Tennessee, the band let her go, taking her big break with them,
“I decided to just bite the bullet and stay in Nashville and start paying my dues,” Smith said. “I started writing songs and I eventually got a publishing deal, so then I was able to support myself through my writing.”
Gray Hall, sophomore in busines, watched Smith perform in Auburn last week and said he is amazed by how far she has gone to pursue her dreams and hopes her music becomes even more popular.
“I totally respect that,” Hall said. “I wish I could do it. It’s crazy that she just went up there and got signed by a record deal. I wish the best for her, and I hope she makes it big.”
Auburn was her parents’ alma mater, and Smith said coming back to sing was a no-brainer because of fond memories from her freshman year.
“I’m gearing up for a new single release, and in the interim period I really just wanted to try to do some grassroots and go to some places I’m passionate about and love and try to build a small following there, and so Auburn’s the first place I wanted to start,” Smith said.
Smith sang at several fraternities last week including Sigma Nu and Beta.
“I’ve listened to a couple of her singles online like ‘Georgia Mud,’” Hall said. “I’m a country music fan, and she’s got talent.”
When Smith called Trey Oliver, Sigma Nu president, and asked if she could perform for the fraternity, Oliver was quick to take her up on the offer.
“She was really good,” Oliver said. “We were all really impressed. We didn’t really know what to expect, but once she got out the guitar we saw she could really sing.”
Smith has been performing since she was 3 years old and said she is ecstatic her dreams are finally coming true in Nashville, though she’s still waiting to see her name on the music charts.
“Moving up there I definitely had set goals, and I wanted to be an artist and I wanted a record deal,” Smith said. “It’s taken a very long time to get there, so some days I’m like, ‘Well, it’s high time,’ and then sometimes I’m just like, ‘I just can’t believe this is actually happening. Dreams do come true.’”
Oliver said after hearing Smith play he thinks she has the talent to appeal to a wide audience.
“I’m not exactly a music talent evaluator, but she definitely seemed like she had a good voice, and she’s certainly charismatic and a sweet girl,” he said.
Smith is flying back to Auburn for another performance at the Supper Club, which will be Feb. 17 at 11 p.m.
She said her parents support her music and are looking forward to her visit.
“They know this is what I always wanted to do,” Smith said. “They’re glad I’m going to be back in Auburn because we all bleed orange and blue.”
Jan 23, 2012
JOANNA SMITH FEATURED IN "HORSE DIGEST"
Columbia/BNA artist Joanna Smith is laser-focused on her career, and when she needs some down time from the hectic pace of an up-and-coming artist she hooks up with the main man in her life - her three-year-old quarter horse Jack. Until recently, Joanna had to travel home to South Georgia to ride, but last week her father brought Jack to Tennessee to make Nashville his permanent home.
Joanna opened up about Jack, her father and her overall love of horses in a feature in the current issue of Horse Digest magazine. "I think I was four or five when my daddy bought our first horse for the farm," Joanna told the magazine. "I remember I stood up on the tailgate of his truck so he could hoist me up behind the saddle so I could ride with him. I thought it was the best thing in the world." She credits her father for mentoring her about riding. "My dad taught me to ride, and taught me to respect horses. He grew up riding and is a very natural horseman."
The full issue can be viewed by clicking here, and Joanna's feature is on page 42. As she readies her new Buddy Cannon-produced single release on Columbia/BNA, due out this spring, Joanna continues to write and perform.
Jan 3, 2012
Joanna's 2012 New Year’s Resolution
Wondering what Joanna's New Year's Resolution is? Says Joanna at Taste of Country, “To finish training my dad’s colt, Jack. Also to spend more time in prayer and with the refugees I mentor, and see my name on the charts!"
Jan 3, 2012
Joanna Smith Voted 99.5 The Bear’s Breakthrough Artist of 2011
One of the favorite ladies on the country music scene right now can do a little bragging this morning as Joanna Smith was voted by her fans as 99.5 The Bear’s Breakthrough Artist of 2011. Joanna took over 40% of the vote and beat out such fresh new voices as Sunny Sweeny, James Wesley, Edens Edge and more.
Joanna played our Taste of Country Christmas Tour in Lubbock back in 2010 and we fell in love with her right then. “Gettin’ Married” continues to be heavily requested, esp. by our Texas Tech female listeners.
