The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band
AWARD-WINNING KENNY & AMANDA SMITH BAND TO RELEASE TELL
SOMEONE ON REBEL RECORDS
Bluegrass Music’s highly acclaimed group, the Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, are
going back to their homegrown Southern Gospel roots with their latest CD, Tell
Someone. Produced by the group, the new album features Gospel standards that
Kenny and Amanda sang while growing up in church while also showcasing some
powerful, original compositions. Spotlighted on the project are featured guest
artists, Rhonda Vincent, Wayne Winkle, and Daniel Carwile.
“Gospel music has always been a part of Bluegrass,” says Kenny. “In our shows
about 25% of the songs we play are Gospel songs and those end up being the most
requested. We just wanted to make an album that would touch people. Some of our
fans come up to us after our shows and they’ll ask if we’re Christians. They
know we’re different, they can see something is different. With this album, it’s
a dream of ours to share our faith.”
Tell Someone is a project that has been ten years in the making. Kenny and
Amanda - husband & wife - kept trying to record this CD but things kept blocking
the process. After years of prayers, the studio was finally booked for March 30,
2006 when Kenny got news that his father had died in a farming accident. Since
Kenny & Amanda were depending on God for strength and encouragement, they
decided to move ahead with the recording. The project is dedicated to the memory
of Kenny’s dad, Carl.
The recording session for Tell Someone became a time of healing with Gospel
favorites, “Stepping On The Clouds,” and “Shoutin’ Time,” along with such
original compositions as “Mary Had A Little Boy,” “I Know Why,” and “Till I Get
Home,” that showcase Amanda’s heartfelt vocals. Kenny adds that “Tell Someone
How Precious He Is” is the theme for the whole album and is one of his favorites
since he used to sing it in churches in his early days of performing.
The Kenny & Amanda Smith Band is one of the most highly respected Bluegrass
bands in the industry, with the group winning International Bluegrass Music
Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award in 2003 and Kenny twice winning
IBMA’s Guitarist of the Year. When Kenny started his music career, he performed
Southern Gospel music with his cousin at area churches where they began to build
a loyal following. It was during this time that Kenny made his conversion to
Christianity and eventually he moved into the Bluegrass genre with the Lonesome
River Band but his heart stayed with his Christian roots. At a concert, Kenny
met fellow Bluegrass artist Amanda, who had been praying to meet a Christian man
who liked to play music. Their band debuted in 2001 and became of the most
innovative new acts in Bluegrass music. Now they are poised to breakout into the
Christian market where they will take their Bluegrass Gospel sound to churches
and concert halls across the country fulfilling a ten-year dream of sharing the
Lord’s message through song.
Amanda and Kenny have been playing music together since their first date in November of 1995. They were married a year later and have performed together regularly at churches and gospel venues as well as a few bluegrass shows every year. Although Amanda's talents were not well known outside of her native West Virginia prior to meeting Kenny, a wider range of bluegrass fans got a small glimpse of Amanda's talent on Kenny's Studebaker CD and immediately began asking for more. Those requests have led to a Kenny and Amanda Smith project which prominently features Amanda's voice. This project will be released in February 2002.
The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band consists of five talented musicians together who form a common bond in style and originality. The Band officially formed in the recording of a studio project in 2001 titled "Slowly But Surely". Since the beginning, the main focus was to have a new approach to make our project stand out from the rest. The first step was the decision to put our project out independently and not with a major Label. Our Second step was to choose players who possessed an original style and eagerness to play tasteful music.
Amanda Smith started singing at the age of nine in church in the hills of West Virginia. Amanda learned to play the guitar and started writing and performing her own compositions. She won numerous talent competitions and recorded two projects before the age of nineteen. Amanda’s singing can be described as soulful, pure and straight to the heart.
Ronald Inscore began playing mandolin at age twelve in Ararat, Virginia, which he still calls home. Ronald has played in the past with such groups as: Appalachian Trail (SPBGMA Band Winner), After Five (SPBGMA Band Winner), Savannah Road and Lou Reid and Carolina. Ronald also is a former Galax Mandolin Champion. Rock solid chop and fluid leads earns him an important role in the band. Ronald also sings lead and harmony vocal.
Greg Martin comes to you from Mullins, South Carolina where he started playing bluegrass at the age of six. Greg has played bass with the North Carolina based New Vintage bluegrass band. Greg’s enthusiasm and timing on the bass gives the band a certain edge that extremely enhances the rhythm section.
Steve Huber is no stranger to the bluegrass world. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Steve started picking at the age of fourteen. Steve joined Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass in 1986. Steve has also played with Paul Adkins, Lonesome Standard Time, 1946, and Chris Jones and the Night Drivers. As well as being a accomplished banjo player, Steve started his own tone ring business in 1997 and now builds the Huber line of banjo’s in Nashville. Steve released a solo project titled "Pullin’ Time" on Strictly Country Records label in 1995. Steve’s driving banjo and original tunes gives us a burning victory to the finish line every time.
Kenny Smith started playing the guitar at the age of four in Nine Mile, Indiana. Kenny comes from a musical family with deep roots in the line of Tennessee fiddlers. His Grandfather and Father both were fiddlers and his brother, Sonny was a Winfield banjo champion. Kenny placed three times at the Winfield Flat picking Championship. He also won the Merle Watson Guitar championship. Numerous awards include being voted three time winner of the Society Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America Guitar player of the year and the Bluegrass Now Fans Choice Guitar Player of the year. Last but not least, Kenny won the prestigious IBMA guitar player of the year for two years. Kenny has played in two prominent Bluegrass bands: Claire Lynch and the Front Porch String Band and the Award winning Lonesome River Band. His stint lasted with LRB from 1995-2001. Kenny’s Solo cd project, "Studebaker" gained him recognition as not only a guitarist but a singer-songwriter as well.
Kenny and Amanda met at a LRB concert in West Virginia. Since their first date, they have shared a musical gift together and now with their own Band, they are eager and ready to share this gift with you.
For Tickets Call 865-983-3330
or Stop in at Murlin's Music World to pick up tickets. Across from the Maryville Municipal Building.
The Palace Theater is conveniently located in Downtown Maryville just 17 miles south of Knoxville, TN.
South from Knoxville: Travel 129 South past the airport. Take the right fork and turn left at the first light.
Pass 4 or 5 lights and Take the first right onto Broadway.
The Palace is will be on the right.
Plenty of Free Parking in the city municipal lot.
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