In his mid-teens, Adam picked up the guitar and taught himself to play. While working 9-to-5 jobs, Adam began performing regularly at open mics. After a few years of moving from small town to small town, and in and out of relationships, Adam’s desire to follow his dream of a career in music took over. At the age of 25 he journeyed to Tennessee, where he lived in his car and began performing for tips on the crowded sidewalks of downtown Nashville. 

It wasn’t long before Jim Colletti, businessman and chairman of the Sedona International Film Festival, heard Adam’s music. Sensing something special there, Colletti put Adam on his first plane ride to Arizona and introduced him to the musical community of Sedona, where he immediately went into the studio and began recording demos of his songs. These songs ultimately grew into his first full-length album Another Way to Get to Heaven. “Heaven” featured a lineup of world-class musicians, including late rock guitarist Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed) and Emmy award winning new age artist Chris Spheeris. The result was an eclectic sound, blending indie folk and world music, with Smith’s tender, down home voice there in the middle of it all.

From there Jim became Adam’s manager and the two began what would be a long-lasting relationship together. After booking intimate performances in small venues across the country, Smith and Colletti conceived ‘The Home Sweet Home Tour’ which brought together the talents of other musicians from different parts of the US, whom they met at a music conference in Harrisburg PA. The tour consisted of a stop in each of the four artist’s home towns, with connecting gigs in-between and spanned the East and West Coast. 

After a taste of life on the road Smith retreated to his home studio in Phoenix AZ to begin work on his sophomore album. Around the Bend showcased a more mature continuation of the themes and sounds on his debut album and resonated strongly with his audience. With songs like Something to Believe In and the title track, he touched on universal topics of introspection, relationship struggles, and religion. 

Smith has continued to write and record prolifically, releasing several singles, two EPs, and three full length albums, including So Simple Now which Smith deems his return to home album, Paper Wings a collection of songs exploring finding inner strength and healing from deep depression, and his 5th album 100 Days of Winter, a seasonal album which takes you on a mystical journey through late fall, winter, and early spring using unique interpretations of songs by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Sinead O’Connor, and a few others; all of whom Smith says are big influences on his music.

Adam’s passion for helping others is evident in his involvement with numerous charities and community organizations, most notably Teen Lifeline, Arizona’s peer-to-peer suicide prevention hotline. Growing up an outcast in a small provincial town, the topic of bullying and abuse is close to home for Adam. “I am lucky to be alive,” states Smith referring to his own story of a struggle to embrace and love himself. “I, without a doubt, would have benefited from a resource like Teen Lifeline.” Adam donates all proceeds from his single A Friend is a Stranger to Teen Lifeline and continues to appear at events and fundraisers to support the group.

Adam strives to connect with music lovers and develop his craft. His live performances conjure up the golden age of music, when singer songwriters were revered, for their poetry, vulnerability, and creativity, often using his music to inspire others to think onside the lines. Androgynous, visionary, free spirit, survivor, singer, songwriter, he is uniquely Adam Smith.