Biography

RADIO PROMOTION BY Art Menius Radio
art@artmenius.com 919-675-2787
artmeniusradio.com

Embark on a journey through time to the rugged and untamed landscapes of Newton County, Arkansas in the 1820s, led by the masterful storyteller and musician, Aaron Smith. Step into the world of the eccentric mountain preacher, Sam Davis, as he sets out on a quest to find his long-lost sister. Experience the heartbreak and tragedy of the Trail of Tears and marvel at the courage of the outlaw pioneers who braved the unknown. Those are the people and places who populate the songs on The Legend of Sam Davis and Other Stories of Newton County, Arkansas by Aaron Smith & the Coal Biters. The album includes a beautiful, 90-page coffee-table compendium that reveals deeper insights into the stories with essays, family photos, maps, and original artwork for each song by Newton County artist, Dreama Phoenix.

Smith goes deeply into his love of unreliable narrators on The Legend of Sam Davis. “When you can’t trust your narrator, emotional context becomes really important. The theme that emerges is the survival of families,” he says. “What they do to ensure the future. Fighting to have a future. Learning to live with the fall out when your ideology doesn’t work and finding a way forward."

With Aaron’s powerful storytelling and thoughtful musical arrangements, you'll meet unforgettable characters, such as a mother mourning her wayward sons and a midwife who traveled on horseback to deliver countless babies. These are the true stories of resilient people in tough times, filled with heartbreak, rage, longing, and love. You will feel their pain and joy, and experience the sense of community and isolation that defined their lives in a bygone era.

Banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, dobro, pump organ, clarinet, and jug band percussion provide an authentic and evocative accompaniment to the stories being told. This mesmerizing blend of music and storytelling will transport you to the wilds of Newton County and leave you captivated and yearning for more.

Influenced as much by Flannery O’Connor as John Prine and John Hartford, Smith's songs range from witty jazz to pensive, emotive ballads, to southern roots grooves. With timeless, singable melodies and strong rhythms support his thoughtful lyrics. Smith became a Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Finalist in 2016 on just his second try. In 2019, just three years later, he became a winner at New Folk and in the BMG Songwriter Showcase at the Power of Music Festival. The Legend of Sam Davis became the second and final album from Aaron Smith & the Coal Biters with multi-instrumentalist George Holcomb passing away after its completion.