An Oxford native is returning home this weekend to perform a special concert to promote the release of her first CD.
‘I know (my musical ability is) a gift,? said singer/songwriter Kerri Lee Smith, a 1995 Oxford High School graduate. ‘If I don’t do something with it, I’ve completely squandered it.?
Smith and her acoustic guitar will be performing at Oxford American Legion Post 108 (130 E. Drahner Rd.) on Saturday, Nov. 29. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. Food and cash bar will be available.
Entitled ‘Songs to God,? the CD contains 10 ‘inspirational? songs written and performed by Smith, who now lives in State College, Pennsylvania with her husband of five years, Christian.
‘It’s a lot of my Sunday-morning-type songs that I’ve written over the past eight years or so,? she said. ‘I’ll have CDs available (for $10 each) at the concert.?
For someone who played the trombone from sixth through 12th grade and never really thought she could sing, it’s hard to believe Smith, the daughter of Norman and Penny Linto, is pursuing a path as a Americana/Folk artist.
‘I have to try it and at least see what happens,? she said.
It was during her freshman year at Grove City College in Pennsylvania that Smith was inspired to learn the guitar after attending a concert.
‘The next weekend I bought a cheap guitar and taught myself how to play,? she said.
The singing and songwriting soon followed as Smith sought a natural outlet to express her emotions and thoughts.
‘It kind of took off from there,? she said.
After graduating college in 1999, Smith kept writing songs, but the only time she performed in public was as part of a band during her weekly church services.
When she’s not performing at church, Smith does marketing consulting, website construction and operates the on-line wedding directory www.nittanyweddings.com.
Then in summer 2007 she participated in a local competition as part of the national Colgate Country Showdown.
‘It’s kind of like American Idol, but a much smaller version for country music,? Smith explained.
To her surprise, she won the State College competition sponsored by a local country music radio station.
‘That really lit a fire under me and reminded me of why I loved performing so much,? Smith said. ‘Ever since last summer I’ve been aggressively pursuing regional gigs.?
Smith also earned honors in the 2007 Great American Song Contest for her original tune ‘Dog Shake That Squirrel.?
‘It’s written for my dog Samson and his daily struggle with the squirrels in the backyard,? she explained. ‘No squirrels got hurt in writing the song, but he sure wishes they did. They bug him every single day.?
It was Divine intervention that led to Smith’s recording of her new CD.
‘Someone came up to me at church and said, ‘God told me to give you whatever amount of money you need to get you in a studio,? she said. ‘I couldn’t believe it. The next week he came back with a check for $1,500. It was totally unexpected.?
Smith spent about a year working on the CD with another gentleman, Marc Frigo, who had spent eight years in Nashville working with various country recording stars.
‘He did all the engineering on the CD for me,? she said.
Smith’s hoping her first CD will be a success because she’s already planning a second album focusing on Americana/Folk music.
‘I’m talking with a producer in Nashville right now. I’m trying to work out a budget for the next one.?
For more information about Smith and her music visit www.kerrileesmith.com or www.myspace.com/kerrileesmith.