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I Found Love 3:480:00/3:48
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0:00/3:48
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0:00/3:12
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On that Train 3:440:00/3:44
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The Great I Am 4:020:00/4:02
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Unchained 4:160:00/4:16
About Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Information and downloads
Stage Plot
102 KB
MC Bio Sheet
31 KB
Valerie Smith Long Bio PDF
61.9 KB
Valerie Smith Photo
3.61 MB
Band Information 1 Sheet
1.74 MB
Band Photo
1.48 MB
VALERIE SMITH & LIBERTY PIKE
30th Annual Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival
June 25–27, 2026 • Sedalia Center • Big Island, Virginia
Award-Winning Bluegrass Star Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike Headline 30th Anniversary of Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival
Plus Special Vocal Workshop on Saturday
BIG ISLAND, VA (March 2026) – Multi-award-nominated bluegrass and Grassicana artist **Valerie Smith** and her acclaimed band **Liberty Pike** will perform at the **30th Annual Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival**, taking place June 25–27, 2026, at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, Virginia. The milestone event celebrates three decades of bluegrass tradition with an all-star lineup that includes Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Lonesome River Band, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Kenny & Amanda Smith, and more.
Known for her powerful, emotive vocals—described by NPR’s Dave Higgs as “sassy, sultry, siren-like, sweet, smooth, soothing, and smoldering”—Valerie Smith blends traditional bluegrass with country, Americana, gospel, and roots influences. A seasoned festival favorite with over 25 years of international touring experience, Smith consistently delivers high-energy, audience-engaging sets that have earned her IBMA and Dove Award nominations, multiple SPBGMA Traditional Female Vocalist nods, and chart-topping releases.
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike will also lead a **vocal workshop** on Saturday, June 27 at 3:30 PM, offering fans hands-on insight into her signature style and performance techniques.
“Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike bring professionalism, heart, and pure entertainment to every stage,” said festival organizers. “We’re thrilled to welcome her back for this historic 30th anniversary celebration.”
Fresh off the January 2026 release of her ambitious 30-track bluegrass musical *Maggie’s Journal*—a powerful testament to family legacy, resilience, and untold American history—Smith will showcase new material alongside fan favorites like “Red Clay Halo,” “Turtle Wings,” and “No Summer Storm.”
**Tickets and camping are on sale now at sedaliacenter.org/doc-mccabe-bluegrass-festival.**
About Valerie Smith
Valerie Smith is a recording artist, songwriter, producer, videographer, educator, and owner of Bell Buckle Records. She has performed across the U.S., Europe, Canada, and the UK, collaborated with legends including Ralph Stanley, Charlie Louvin, Jerry Douglas, and Tom T. Hall, and appeared on national television programs such as *Bluegrass Underground* and *Song of the Mountains*. Her band Liberty Pike—featuring top-tier musicians including Hall of Famer Tom Gray on bass—delivers tight, crowd-pleasing performances that blend heartfelt storytelling with virtuosic instrumentation.
REVIEWS and QUOTES:
Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike has been and still is a band I keep in my rotation to hire at my Festivals and Cruises for many years now. I've been a fan of hers for over 23 years. She gets it!
She always does a professional show with top notch musicians and singers. Valerie and her husband Joe are always there to help out, ready to do whatever it takes to make the entire show or the customers' experience even better. Whether it is running a vocal or instrumental workshop between her sets or helping be part of a backup band for our fans to do an Open Mic, she annd her band always aim to please.
They really get it. As a promoter, it feels warm and cozy knowing that Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike are on your side. They really know how to connect with the fans, including at times when they are offstage jamming with the fans, or doing whatever it takes.
Danny Stewart's Productions, Promoter and Event Producer
"It’s always an honor when a vocalist you admire records a song you’ve co-written. But, when that great singer also invites you to record the song with them as a duet, it makes you even more grateful. I had a great time recording “You Can” with Valerie Smith, and am pleased that she loved this song enough to include it on her most current project. I co-wrote it with my dear friend, Glen Duncan, and believe the lyrics ring with tragic truth - no one can hurt you like someone you love.“ - Jerry Salley, Producer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Billy Blue Records
“The ambitious album is a trip. Almost cinematic in scope. You can ‘picture’ the characters in your mind as they’re spoken about. Well written, performed & respectful of a person & her era which has long gone. Divergent lives coming together (Maggie & Valerie) to celebrate a singular life….. Music doesn’t get much better.” – John Apice, Americana Highways
“Maggie’s Journal is one of the most ambitious roots albums I’ve encountered in recent memory. Comprised of impressive songwriting, gorgeous vocal performance, and keen instrumentation, Valerie Smith and producer Donna Ulisse have crafted an album that serves as a memorable and enjoyable capstone to Smith’s twelve-year journey bringing Maggie’s story to fruition.” – Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee
“This record is incredibly personal, and seeing it embraced so warmly by the folk community means everything to me,” said Smith. “I’m deeply grateful to the DJs, listeners, and Folk Alliance members who continue to support independent artists and roots music.”
Media Contact
Bell Buckle Records
Valerie Smith Music
Facebook: @OFFICIALVALERIESMITHMUSIC
Instagram: @valerievalpal
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Valerie Smith is a musical powerhouse who has been rocking the bluegrass world for nearly three decades with her unique sound and style. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and educator, she has built a loyal following across the United States, Europe, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Her impressive vocals have earned multiple Grammy, IBMA, and Dove Award nominations, along with numerous consecutive SPBGMA and IBMA MUSIC nominations.
Smith’s band, **Liberty Pike**, is a consistent audience favorite that has featured legendary musicians: Becy Buller, Andy Leftwich, Stephen Mougin, Chad Graves, Matt Leadbetter, including Hall of Famer Tom Gray on bass and many more.
Here current group is seasoned Jack Dunlap, Stephen Hu, Joe Zauner, and Vince May and Shannon Bielski. Audiences can expect to be entertained, amused, and inspired by a dynamic blend of bluegrass, country, gospel, blues, and show tunes.
In 1997, Smith co-founded **Bell Buckle Records** in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The independent label has released her critically acclaimed projects, including *Patchwork Heart* (featuring Charlie Louvin), *Turtle Wings*, *No Summer Storm*, *That’s What Love Can Do*, and the chart-topping *Small Town Heroes* and *From a Distance*. She has collaborated with Alan O’Bryant, Becky Buller, Russell Moore, and many others.
Smith is also a certified music educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She regularly leads vocal and instrumental workshops at festivals and has performed on the Grand Ole Opry and international PBS specials. Her latest project, the 30-track bluegrass musical *Maggie’s Journal*, releases in January 2026 and explores themes of family, resilience, and America’s untold history.
SHORT BIO
**Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike** are award-nominated bluegrass and Grassicana favorites. With powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and world-class musicianship, they have toured internationally for over 25 years. Smith owns Bell Buckle Records and is a passionate educator who leads popular vocal workshops. Her new 30-track bluegrass musical *Maggie’s Journal* drops January 2026. Catch them at the 30th Annual Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival, June 25–27, 2026, at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, VA—plus her vocal workshop on Saturday!
FACT SHEET
- **Artist**: Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
- **Genre**: Bluegrass / Grassicana / Americana / Roots
- **Hometown / Base**: Originally Missouri and active in Nashville, TN f(38 years) currently active in Virginia / Tennessee
- **Key Achievements**: IBMA & Dove Award nominations; SPBGMA Traditional Female Vocalist (12x); Grand Ole Opry performer; international tours (15+ to Europe); chart-topping releases on Bluegrass Unlimited survey, Roots Music Report, Country Music Surveys and Folk Charts.
- **Recent Release**: *Maggie’s Journal* (30-track bluegrass musical) – January 2026
- **Notable Collaborators**: Ralph Stanley, Charlie Louvin, Jerry Douglas, Tom T. Hall, Alan O’Bryant, Becky Buller, Donna Ulisse and more!
- **Special Festival Offering**: Vocal Workshop – Saturday, June 27, 3:30 PM
- **Website**: www.thevaleriesmith.com
- **Booking / Press**: valerievalpal@me.com
Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes, Wally Hughes, Valerie Smith, Tom Gray, Joe Zauner
Maggie's journal (A multi-media release based on a true story" Written by Valerie Smith, Donna Ulisse, Daniel Crabtree and produced by Donna Ulisse, engineer-Scott Vestal -Release 2021-2022
Stage plot & tech rider
Stage Plot
102 KB
MC Bio Sheet
31 KB
Valerie Smith One Sheet
2.35 MB
Liberty Pike One Sheet
1.74 MB
Valerie Smith Photo
3.61 MB
Band Photo
1.48 MB
Liberty Pike Retro Band Photo
6.38 MB
Valerie Smith Long Bio PDF
61.9 KB
Valerie Smith Long Bio
14.5 KB
Bluegrass in the Schools
23.3 KB
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKING
Valerie Smith | Bell Buckle Records | Valerie Smith Music
valerievalpal@me.com
931-639-3004