Johnsmith is one performer who doesn't wear hype well.  His artistry speaks for itself. In fact, the idea of 'just being real' is a prominent theme throughout his music.  And yet, to simply say that Johnsmith is a great singer/ songwriter would not be enough. In addition to his incomparable musical abilities and finely tuned songwriting skills, Johnsmith possesses the even rarer gift of being able to share his soul.  That gift is the foundation on which everything else about him is built, and it comes shining through in every song he sings.  This is especially true of the selections on his new CD, Kickin' This Stone.

Co-produced with Austin legend and Dixie Chick dad Lloyd Maines, Kickin' this stone is a collection of 12 expertly crafted gems that exemplify the honesty and warmth that is Johnsmith.  Songs such as the infectious title cut, and the instant favorite Iris Blue, connect with the listener on a level that is not possible with merely a well-written song.  Fellow singer/songwriter Buddy Mondlock summed it up when he said of Johnsmith, "I feel like every time one of [Johnsmith's] songs gets heard a little healing happens to the world."

Johnsmith was born in Dewitt, Iowa, where he shared his small town mid-western life (and house) with his two parents and nine brothers and sisters.  The experience of growing up in such a large family nurtured within him a keen awareness of the value of community, and, at the same time, the absolute necessity of solitude.  Johnsmith commented recently, "Everybody would go out to play sometimes, and I would go sit in the rocking chair and just make up songs and sing them."  What he didn't know then is that those days would be the beginning of a lifelong journey.

For the past twenty years Johsmith has been sharing his music with audiences all across the United States and abroad.  Driving some 50,000 miles to play over 150 dates each year, he has become a favorite at coffee houses, colleges, and house concerts alike.  In addition to being a past winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk award, Johnsmith has released four CDs to rave reviews from trade publications such as Dirty Linen, Performing Songwriter, and Sing Out! Magazines.  He has also served as a staff songwriter for the WrenSong Music Group in Nashville. But again, accolades, competitions, and quotas are not what motivate Johnsmith.  Music is simply his gift, and he feels compelled to share it. That means more than all the hype, any day.  To learn more about Johnsmith, visit www.johnsmithmusic.com.