Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Smith.
Hi Casey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I asked my parents for piano lessons when I was in 5th Grade. I’m not sure what intrigued me, I only remember I wanted to learn. I picked up other instruments in school, but received a guitar when I was 15…the same day my braces went on. We went to the guitar shop after the appointment. I fell hard for the guitar. It made sense to me more than other instruments. Even before picking one up, I had been fascinated watching music videos and seeing guitar players’ fingers flying across the fretboard.
Plus, I was discovering my own musical tastes at the time which was heavily centered around the Seattle grunge scene and guitars.
Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, STP, Candlebox etc.
When I saw the music video for the Alice in Chains’ song, ‘Would’ at my grandparents house, I distinctly remember thinking to myself, ‘that’s what I want to do’.
After high school I went to Moorhead State University to study under Glenn Ginn and pursue a BA in Jazz Guitar Performance. I wasn’t a massive jazz head, but I wanted to learn everything there was about music theory and how to use it in the music I was playing.
During this time, I was writing a lot and that led me down the path of audio engineering and production out of necessity. However, both turned into passions.
After graduating, I received a call from John Langseth, father of blues phenom, Johnny Lang, and he asked if I would try out for his daughter’s band after I was recommended to him. I drove to Minneapolis, tried out, and got the gig as the new guitar player for the Jesse Lang Band.
For years, I toured the country and did multiple tours throughout Europe and on AF Bases in the Middle East in various band/musical scenarios, gigged, recorded, produced, wrote, and taught. I had in upwards of 275 shows each year, around 30 guitar students a week, and I owned and operated my own recording studio, KnottBrite.
I burned out hard in 2015 and by 2016, instead of my initial plan to move to Amsterdam, I took a gig with my friend Maria Stukey’s newly formed band, The Dukes of Circuit Ave on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. I worked the music scene there for the summers and traveled the world for months at a time in the off season.
Nepal, Chile, all across Europe, Australia…I’d pack up a backpack, pick a country and head out the door for a couple months.
2021 I received a call from a longtime friend, Chancey Williams. His guitar player was leaving and he asked if I’d be interested in the position. I joined in October of ’21 with a few days notice to learn 90 minutes of his original material. Since then, we’ve toured all over the country hitting legendary stages like Red Rocks, The Grand Ol’ Opry, Billy Bob’s, CountryJam, etc.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say overall it’s been smooth, yes. That’s not say there haven’t been setbacks, hard times and whatnot.
I’m a persistent human being, and, for the most part, a positive one.
When I set goals, I achieve them. It’s not in me to do otherwise.
I’ve been fortunate with the opportunities afforded to me, but I’ve also worked my ass off and I’m very good at what I do. There are always those out there that are better than you. Often times FAR better than you, but that’s only fodder for believing in what you have to offer and understanding that what you have is valuable.
I don’t say that I’m good at what I do to be egotistical. I say it because I’ve worked hard to be where I’m at, I’ve treated those that I work with/for with respect, and I conduct myself with the appropriate sense of humility.
I know I’m not the best, but I always want to be and strive to be the best when I’m playing/singing/engineering/producing, etc.
It carries into my nonmusical life as well. It’s in my nature to want to be tops at what I’m doing. It lends me to being competitive at times and hard on myself when things don’t go as I’d prefer, but as I age, that starts to lessen.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself a guitarist first and foremost. Singing came along later. I wasn’t entirely blessed with natural ability in all aspects of singing, but in some ways I was and as I did it more and more, everything improved.
Singing and playing guitar, whether it be in a full band setting or acoustic is what I’m known for.
Besides what I have to offer as a guitarist/vocalist, I like to think I’m known for being reliable, easy to work with, prepared, and a good hang – cuz a good hang is likely more important than skills 🙂
That translates to studio work as well. Having clients at ease when they’re in such an intimate space and under a microscope helps the entire project go smoothly. Part of that gig is knowing how to read your artist and give them what they need while getting out of them the best they have to offer.
I’m proud of what I’m (I hope) known for.
If someone finds out I’m on the gig, I wouldn’t want them thinking, ‘oh man, we have to work with Casey?’
I want them to be excited and without uncertainty.
‘Casey’s gonna show up prepared. He’s a pro. We don’t need to worry about him.’
What sets me apart is what I bring to the table: my demeanor, my broad skill set on and off stage, my desire to always give a good product and my professionalism as well as perfectionism.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
There will always be a desire for live music. I believe it’s human nature to enjoy/want music at gatherings/parties/ceremonies, etc. It’s a part of the overall “ART” that makes us human.
Whether we can form our thoughts and emotions into music, lyrics, poetry, painting, etc ourselves, or we use someone else’s to aptly describes the way we feel, we will always need art in some form to express ourselves in ways that we otherwise can’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chanceywilliams.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wander_smith_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseysmith01/
Image Credits
Shawn Dziuk images 1, 5, 6, 7 Emma Kate Golden image 2
