PAYING DUES
Ladd began playing guitar at age 4. He began to write songs at the age of 9 and had written over 350 by the time he reached 19. Along the way he managed to record 3 original albums, play on nearly 400 sessions and perform at over 1,000 live shows. Ladd spent his teenage years working on Music Row learning all aspects of the business inside and out, known for saying “If there are any mistakes that are going to be made in my career, I want to be the one to make them.” Artist Sheila Aldridge took Ladd to meet John Briggs at Ascap when Ladd was only 15 and John Signed him to ASCAP on the spot. Considered a prodigy by his studio mentors, Ladd was personally sponsored into the Local 257 Musicians Union by President Harold Bradley at age 15. Ladd has spent the last ten years writing songs, playing guitar and singing back-up live and in the studio for tons of Nashville artists and producers. Ladd is often noted as being reminiscent of a young Vince Gill. The kind of artist that his ardently dedicated to being a consumate musician. In turn, with a repertoire of lyrics and music of over 2000 songs Ladd is known by fellow musicians as a “Human Jukebox” and is consistently ranked in the Top 3 Musicians and the number 1 Guitarist in Nashville by his peers on TheReferralList.com. Ladd has performed in 17 countries including Kuwait where he was honored to play for our troops. As a Performing Artist and/or Member of the Band, Ladd has shared the stage and/or studio with Blake Shelton, Heartland, Phil Vassar, Merle Haggard, Confederate Railroad, Mustang Sally, Clay Walker, Jeanie Sealy, Deborah Allen, Helen Cornellius, Josh Turner, Vern Gosdin, Tanya Tucker, Trick Pony, Scout Cloud Lee, Dr. Hook, Leona Williams, Charlie Louvin, Josh Gracin, Aaron Pritchett, Duane Hitchings, Joe Melson, Ron Williams, Ferlin Husky, Jack Green and many, many others.
HIS SOUND
At this time, we would like for you to take a moment to listen to the media clips provided. It’s been said that if Billy Joel & Dolly Parton were to have had a lovechild his name would be Ladd Smith. You’ll hear a distinct voice and style that is both grounded in his country & rock roots and yet breaks down the barriers of genre segregation. You will hear Ladd forge new path through familiar territory, as it were.
Ladd Smith Proudly Endorses:
Fender Guitars & Amplification, Mesa/Boogie Amplification, X2 Wireless Systems, Seymour Duncan Pickups & Effects, Dunlop Accessories & Ultex Picks, Creative Audio Labs, LM Straps, Takamine Guitars, MXR Effects, Wampler Pedals/IndyGuitarist.com, CMAT Mods & Electronics, Visual Sound Electronics, Coffin Cases, Line6 Electronics, Gator/Gigbox Cases, Stetsbar Tremolo Systems, Toadworks Electronics, Robert Keeley Electronics, Argill's Music Store, James Trussart Guitars, Dot-On-Shaft Guitars, Greg Bennett by Samick Guitars...
Tour Itinerary current as of June,
2008 (back to top)
1/16/10 8:00 PM Brevard, NC Brevard College
1/19/10 12:00 PM Pasadena, TX San Jacinto College - Central
1/20/10 11:30 AM Alvin, TX Alvin Community College
1/21/10 11:00 AM Houston, TX San Jacinto College - South
1/21/10 7:L30 PM Galveston, TX Texas A&M University at Galveston
2/25/10 6:00 PM Rolla, MO Missouri University of Science & Technology
2/26/10 8:00 PM Wichita, KS Newman University
Past Itineraries - sorted by performance date
(view)
5/07/08 ASCAP Presents at The Bluebird Cafe - Nashville, TN
5/16/08 FMF Florida Music Festival 08 - Cheyenne Saloon - Orlando,
FL
5/18-20/08 Truefire Studios - "Modern Nashville Guitar"
Instructional Series, St. Petersberg, FL
4/12/08 Greek Row Party with LS Band - Chapel Hill, NC
3/14/08 The Streets at Indian Lake Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting,
Hendersonville, TN
1/16/08 John Lennon Tour Bus Songwriter Showcase, Winter NAMM 08
- Anaheim, CA
1/16-20/08 NAMM Convention, Demonstrations & Clinics for Endorsed
Companies - Anaheim, CA
1/20/08 Muriel Anderson's All-Star Guitar Night, Winter NAMM 08
- Anaheim, CA
12/08/07 Sheik of Dubai Corporate Christmas Party, Keeneland Horse
Farms - Lexington, KY
10/12/07 Ladd Beats out over 3000 Guitarists Internationally to
be Crowned Guitar Player Magazine's Guitar Hero 07, Great American
Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
Reviews & Comments (back
to top)
Ladd was great! My student leader said that he showed up
early and was very personable with all the students. Gave away a
bunch of CDs and spent time after the show signing and interacting
with them.
Joe
Hoff , Student Development Specialist II , Texas A&M University
at Galvesto , TX
Ladd was AWESOME!! The students & staff enjoyed
his performance. I thought he did an amazing job. He connected well
with his audience and was very personable. Yes, he was on time &
very easy to work with. I would give him 5 out of 5 stars!!! YES,
I would bring him back. GOOD pick! Thanks so much!
Brooke Dedmon, Coordinator of Student Activities, Alvin Community
College, Alvin, TX
He
was great. Wonderful. For a lunch time show, when everyone was focused
on stuffing their faces, he was very well received. Hated to have
to move the show indoors due to yucky weather, but he was very easy
to work with. Hope he had a great experience as well.
Megan Bradstreet, Assistant Dean of Student Life , Kentucky
Wesleyan
College – Owensboro, KY
I
was very impressed with Ladd Smith. He did a great job. His music
was
great entertainment for the people sitting outside. I would love
to book him again next year if possible.
David
Adams, Assistant Director of Student Activities - Pittsburg State
University - Pittsburg, KS
He was wonderful! It was a pleasure doing business with you!
Mario
E. Brown, M.Ed., Director of Student Activities, Christian Brothers
University, Memphis, TN
Ladd was great and everyone really enjoyed his show. He
had a great response from the audience. He was funny and his little
stories in between made the show more personal. He was very easy
to work with and we also enjoyed going to dinner with him and his
mom after the show! We hope to book him again in the future.
Megan Roberts, USCB Environmental Club President SGA Senator,
University of South Carolina, Bluffton, SC
Ladd
Smith was great, our students really like him and were very impressed
with his skill on guitar. It was a small show and the kids who went,
found it was very enjoyable. I would certainly recommend him.
Leo Fackler, Director of Campus Life , Erskine College –
Due West, SC
Interview (back to
top)
(None currently available)
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