Former member of rock groups Boston and JoJo Gunne releases new kick-ass in your face hard rock with a blues twist

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Hard Rock, BLUES: Rockin' Blues



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Curly Smith

Born in the Big Sky country of Montana, but raised in Arkansas, Curly Smith had rhythm spoon-fed into his being from living next to railroad tracks. The thundering trains mesmerized the young boy, who started beating on pots and pans to accompany the sound of the railroad cars lumbering by. Whenever he had the opportunity, Curly would cross the tracks and soak in the sounds of the gospel music emitted from the church nearby. He says that these memorable childhood experiences laid the foundation for his quest for a musical career.

Curly started playing guitar, drums and singing by the time he was 12 years old and picked up the harmonica at 14. Prior to his 20th birthday, he began classical piano lessons, adding yet another instrument to his growing repertoire. Working in various bands in Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, he honed his skills before joining Jo Jo Gunne in California, an offshoot of the classic rock group Spirit. Jo Jo Gunne had a top 40's hit entitled "Run Run Run" and toured extensively in the USA and Europe.

After Jo Jo Gunne, Curly started doing session work as well as producing for a variety of artists in Los Angeles and London, including Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Monkees, John Waite, Andy Taylor (Duran Duran), Steve Jones (Sex Pistrols), Rick Springfield, Willie Nelson, Ron Wood (Rolling Stones), Dickie Betts (Almond Brothers), Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Ian Hunter, Jay Ferguson (Spirit), Gary Myrick and the Figures, Russ Ballard (Argent), Steve Cropper (Booker T and the MG's), Bonnie Bramlett (Delaney and Bonnie), Brian Wilson, Ray Manzeric and Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Terry Nunn (Berlin), The Bangles, David Lindley, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Billy Burnette (Fleetwood Mac), Belinda Carlisle and a host of others. He is one of a few drummer's who has the distinction of having played for and side by side with The Who's Keith Moon. Curly attributes this period of time with honing his craft and fine-tuning the various styles of music he played, from rock to pop and rhythm and blues.

Curly believes that the universal sound lies within each and every one of us, stating, "We are all inextricably woven into the sound fabric of this planet. We have just forgotten how to listen. It is literally all around us. Our world is imbued with the spirit of music and the inspiration of creativity."

During the '90's, Tom Scholz of BOSTON wanted to tap into Smith's talents, and invited him to tour with the band. Curly was a welcome addition to the band, toured with them and had a memorable guitar/ drums jam with Tom Scholz on the '97 tour. He also played an incredible harp solo on BOSTON's Greatest Hits song, "Higher Power" and co-wrote with Tom Sholtz on the Corporate America CD."

In Sedona, Arizona, where Curly lives, he released his first solo effort entitled Cool Blue Cosmic Gem, an ethereal compilation that was composed, arranged, performed, produced, engineered and mixed himself. Tom Scholtz has named it one of his top ten favorite CD's of all time.

Curly's latest hard rock CD entitled Rough House, was also written and recorded in Arizona. He went back to his roots for this one; utilizing his hard rock, blues and gospel influences. This record is innovative, a rock and roll archetype, imbued with edgy, from the gut vocals, kick-ass guitars, thunderous bass and pounding drums. Rough House is raw and real, a deliberate contrast by the artist to deviate from much of the new computer driven rock CD's that are out there today. No experience necessary -just turn up the volume and let it roll over you.