IOAlbum: Renaissance
UPC: 859748526163
Producing: Valerie Smith, Tim Carter
Label: Bell Buckle Records
Engineering: Tim Carter
Studio: Tree House Studio Ridgetop
Ridgetop, TN
Mastering: Dave Harris
Studio B Mastering, Charlotte, NC
Photography, Art and Design: Gabrielle Minikiewicz
Make-up Artist and Painter: Stephanie Henry
Song Bio's
Track 1: I'm Fine Bein' Me
Uptempo / Bluegrass and Folk
ISRC: TCAFQ2109586
Written by Valerie Smith
Published by Buckle Down Publishing, BMI
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Bass: Tom Gray
Banjo: Joe Zauner
Fiddle: Wally Hughes
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
This song represents reaching a place in your life where recognition of self-worth and acceptance of life around you finally come to pass. The music industry can be challenging, and it is easy to lose yourself and your grasp on what is essential in life. As a mother, I have always felt that it is important for my daughter to see demonstrations of self-love and confidence.
Track 2: Heartbreak Hill
Uptempo / Rockabilly
ISRC: TCAFQ2109590
Written by Gary Scruggs and Tony Arata
Dan and Adam Songs (ASCAP)
Blue Key Music (BMI)
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Bass: Dave Roe
Fiddle: Stephen Burrell
Resonator Guitar: Wally Hughes
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
I love singing and moving to "Heartbreak Hill"; it has the nostalgic feel of Johnny Cash's rockabilly days. Dave Roe played bass for Johnny Cash and he does on this cut for me as well. This one is just fun to sing and to move with - it's a toe-tapper for sure.
Track 3: On That Train
Slow, Smooth Ballad / Folk
ISRC: TCAFQ2109597
Written by Jude Johnstone
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Strings: Tim Lorsch
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Synth Strings: Kevin McKendree
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
Bass: Dave Roe
Harmony Vocals: Tanya Dennis
"On That Train" was written by one of Johnny Cash's favorite songwriters, Jude Johnstone. The lyrics cleverly approach the subject of regret, the wish we would have dared to take a chance for love and life.
Track 4: Dancing With the Stars
Swing
ISRC: TCAFQ2109600
Written by DAVID LAUVER, BOBBY JOHNSTON, JERRY SALLY
Very Jerry Music (SESAC)/ David Haley Lauver Music (ASCAP) / Stay Close To Your Heart Music (ASCAP)
PERFORMING RIGHTS AGENCY: SESAC)/ ASCAP
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Bass: Tom Gray
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Harmony Vocals: Donna Ulisse and Jerry Salley
You can never beat a laid-back swing tune like "Dancing with the Stars" which is all about happiness, contentment, and love. Jerry Sally (composer) and Donna Ulisse add their clever harmonies as icing on the cake! This song also allowed me to work with one of my old bandmates, Andy Leftwich (mandolin). It puts a smile on my face!
Track 5: Heart of Sorrow
Drivin’ beat / Bluegrass
ISRC: TCAFQ2109602
Written by Claire Lynch and Frank Serio
Published by Shiloh Rising Music, ASCAP, Thrill Hill Music, BMI
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
Banjo: Sammy Shelor
Bass: Tom Gray
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Harmonies: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes, Wally Hughes
"Heart of Sorrow" offers up a swampy, soulful bluegrass tempo number for this album. In life we lose and our hearts get broken, which brings us to the blues. It's all just part of the rocky process of being human.
Track 6: The River Whispers
Mid-tempo / Folk / Bluegrass
ISRC: TCAFQ2109613
Written by Claire Ulanoff and Marissa DiBlassio
Carolina Basketball Music, ASCAP
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Strings: Kevin McKendree
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Bass: Dave Roe
Acoustic Guitar: Wally Hughes
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
I love walks in nature because when we can't find the answers to our complicated lives nature will often bring us comfort. Rivers have always been a symbol of peace, hope, and love, for many years. While traveling and playing music with the legendary Tom Gray he encouraged me to go river kayaking with him, and it turned out to be a spiritual experience for me during a time of healing.
Track 7: I Found
Mid-tempo / Folk / Contemporary Bluegrass
ISRC: TCAFQ2109618
Written by Joshua Keogh
Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes
Strings: Wally Hughes
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Upright Bass: Tom Gray
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes
Banjo: Joe Zauner
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
"I Found" is my cover of a popular song by the indie rock group Amber Run. I fell in love with its clever melody and lyrics which come through strongly in our recorded version. Radio DJ of "Unreal Bluegrass", Steve Martin, says it best: "Valerie Smith possesses one of the more interpretive and sensitive voices in all of music. She feels lyrics deeply and wants the listener to feel with her. 'I Found' is the perfect opportunity for Valerie, with strong backing by Liberty Pike, to reach deeply down and then stretch back out to the audience. Ultimately the song describes life, gliding over unexpected obstacles and finding love where it wasn't supposed to be. The serendipity of joy. Valerie Smith takes you with her, breathing with you as you find smiles and happiness." - Steve Martin (Unreal Bluegrass)
Track 8: Big Red
Driving Bluegrass
ISRC: TCAFQ2109619
Written by Daniel Crabtree
Three Girls I Work For, ASCAP
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
Banjo: Joe Zauner
Upright Bass: Tom Gray
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
"Big Red" was written by one of my favorite songwriters, Daniel Crabtree. The song describes a historically famous horserace that involved a horse nicknamed "Big Red" (Triple Crown winner Secretariat). The song also represents what sheer focus and determination can do for one facing challenges to achieve goals. There is a lot to be said for starting out slow but coming in strong at the finish line.
Track 9: Do You Know Where Your Heart is Tonight?
Acoustic Country Mid-Tempo
ISRC: TCAFQ2109628
Written by Jeff Walter
Published by Jack and Jenny Music (BMI) / Kentucky Plowboy Music (ASCAP)
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Resonator Guitar: Wally Hughes
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
Banjo: Joe Zauner
Upright Bass: Tom Gray
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
"Do You Know Where Your Heart is Tonight?" explores how complicated interpersonal and family relationships can be when people travel a lot for their jobs. I have traveled all of my life, and my heart has not always been in the right place, and it is easy to develop a bubble around yourself and lose communication with your loved ones. Plus, it is a good soulful country two-step song.
Track 10: The Great I Am
Upbeat Gospel
ISRC: TCAFQ2109632
Written by Mike Lane
Published by Jewels of Jane Adelle Publishing, BMI
Harmonies: The McCrary Sisters (Ann, Alfreda, Regina)
Banjo: Tim Carter
Tamborine: Ann McCrary
Electric Bass: Dave Roe
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Fiddle: Andy Leftwich
This rousing number was written by Pastor Mike Lane when he was about to give a sermon. I love the soulful sounds and lyrics which celebrate a power more significant than ourselves, the power of faith. The McCrary Sisters sang the background on this track, and they really brought it home for me.
Track 11: Heaven is Holding You
Smooth Ballad / Folk
ISRC: TCAFQ2109633
Written by Ann Miller
Published by Jewels of Jane Adelle Publishing, BMI
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Upright Bass: Dave Roe
Strings: Tim Lorsch
My daughter, Josie Smith, graduated from high school this year, and the idea of her moving out of the house to college was a tough pill for me to swallow. I indeed suffer from separation anxiety; she is the result of the best thing I ever did in my life ... being a mother. I think we all wish safety, hope, and love, for all of our children.
Track 12: A Dollar Looked Mighty Good
Mid-tempo / Contemporary Bluegrass / Folk
ISRC: TCAFQ2109635
Written by Valerie Smith, Ashely Lewis
Published by Buckle Down Publishing, BMI, ASHCACHE MUSIC PUBLISHING—BMI
Acoustic Guitar: Cody Kilby
Upright Bass: Evan Winsor
Fiddle: Steven Burwell
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich
Banjo: Tim Carter
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
Ashely Lewis and I wrote this song based on an excerpt from my great grandmother Maggie Brooks' journal which I found in an old trunk about 7 years ago. She had finally escaped from a violent marriage and learned how to earn her own money by doing various jobs. Maggie ended up being a very successful businesswoman in Plattsburg, MO., owning and operating a general store and a hotel. She was pretty proud to earn her own dollars and rise above her many early life challenges.
Track 13: Enter In
Upbeat Bluegrass Gospel
ISRC: TCAFQ2109637
Written by Claire Lynch, Irene Kelley
Published by Shiloh Rising Music, BMI, Secret Garden Music, Butter and Egg Music
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Fiddle: Wally Hughes
Banjo: Joe Zauner
Upright Bass: Tom Gray
Dobro: Wally Hughes
Mandolin: Lisa Kay Howard-Hughes
Harmony Vocals: Lisa Kay Howard Hughes, Wally Hughes
I love the simplicity and traditional feel of the lyrics and melody of "Enter In." The song was written by bluegrass recording artists Claire Lynch and Irene Kelley. The song is a true sing-along, and being a former music teacher I love to encourage people to join in the fun! I am a fan of the music these two fine women make and was tickled to pull this one out of their music vault.
Track 13: Unchained
Slow Tempo Acoustic Blues
ISRC: TCAFQ2109640
Written by Jude Johnstone
Acoustic Guitar: Bob Minner
Upright Bass: Dave Roe
Dobro: Rob Ickes
Synth Strings: Kevin McKendree
Harmony Vocals: Tanya Dennis
Fiddle: Stephen Burwell
"Unchained" is another powerfully written song written by Jude Johnstone. It was actually one of the final songs that Johnny Cash released and I'm proud to cover it on my latest album. During the pandemic, emotions were high and turbulent, and I reflected upon many things. This song is about being truthful with yourself and trying to become a better, stronger person. Once we can see ourselves clearly, we can become unchained from the perceptions that hold us back from loving relationships with ourselves and others.
