History
The Lone Soul began his remarkable career as Tim Smith in Southeast Iowa. While still in his early teens he was a member of successful local groups before trying his luck in the Charlotte, North Carolina club scene where he was encouraged by players from future star Randy Travis' entourage.
Returning to Iowa, Smith was invited to join a popular local group but soon became restless and founded the band, Amarillo, who are still a hometown favorite. Inspired by local success, he went to full-time road musician status with the Harvest Band playing the region between the Big Muddy and the Rockies.
It's been said "if you want to pick taters you have to get in the patch." Beginning in 1990, Smith spent the next 21 years in the rich country and roots music garden of Nashville, Tennessee. He earned his stripes working as a bassist and guitarist in the honky tonks of Lower Broadway and by way of songwriter demos and record label showcases playing everything from Country to Cajun, from Blues to Bluegrass, and all Americana roots styles in between.
Smith became a first call bassist/guitarist/vocalist as a member of recording artist Earl Thomas Conley's touring band and as band leader for CMA and ACM winner David Frizzell. He also toured with Tanya Tucker, Leroy Van Dyke, and the Lifetime Grammy legend Charlie Louvin plus performing with a long list of country music royalty and Hall of Famers such as Emmylou Harris, Johnny Lee, Lacy J. Dalton, Johnny Rodriguez, Frizzell and West, and Hank Thompson to name only a few. And, when not on the road, he led his own acoustic/electric Americana band named Wheatfield Soul.
After fleeing the gentrification of the city and music business of Nashville and experimenting with the Austin live scene, Smith returned to Iowa. Returning to the Midwest after 30 years he saw the trend in live performing moving away from clubs and bars to more intimate and acoustic venues. Instead of re-arming the Wheatfield Soul band he has scaled down to a solo and is carrying on as the "lone" Soul.
Now, by coming home to his solo acoustic and country-folk roots and incorporating the songs and stories gathered along the road, The Lone Soul has established himself as a distinguished and exemplary musician, singer, and performer.
Sounds
Staying true to his name, The Lone Soul performs solo, devoid of gadgetry and gimmickry.
He yields both a 6 and 12 string acoustic guitar, with a mandola in the mix! The interplay of his warm baritone and fluid guitar playing incorporating various open tunings are the heart of the show. He occasionally takes the stage with an accompanying pedal steel player, a fiddler, or a second guitarist. The Lone Soul has also been involved in collaborations with some of the most talented singers, instrumentalists, and bands the region has to offer.
