Ladd Smith, Guitar Player Magazine's Guitar Hero 07... On October 12, 2007, Joe Satriani, Steve Lukather, Nuno Bettencourt, Elliot Easton, Greg Howe, and Shrapnel Records honcho Mike Varney named Ladd Smith as the victor of Guitar Player’s Guitar Hero 2007 competition. OLD SOUL Ladd Smith was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma September 21/22 at Midnight in 1982. But To hear Ladd Smith sing & play, your ears will tell you that you’re hearing a veteran singer/songwriter, a master guitar virtuoso and an experienced performer who can reach out and effortlessly touch your soul. From a young age, Ladd was always exhuberated at the opportunity to perform spot on renditions of classic tunes and artful originals in his own unique style. It’s hard to believe that someone so young could possess the musical acumen and professional poise of Ladd Smith, hard to believe until you know just how much time and effort Ladd has put into honing his natural talents. IN HIS BLOOD Born into a musical family, both of Ladd’s parents were professional singers and musicians, touring extensively throughout the Midwest. They eventually settled in Hendersonville, TN and opened Argill’s Music Store where Ladd grew up. Hendersonville being the place where many session player & country music royalty alike call home, Ladd had racked up hundreds of impromptu music lessons by the tender age of five. 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 1 Guitarist in Nashville by his peers on TheReferralList.com. Ladd has performed in over 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 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 is Endorsed by Fender Guitars & Amplification, Mesa/Boogie Amplification, X2 Wireless Systems, Seymour Duncan Pickups & Effects, Peavey Guitars & Amplification, Dunlop Accessories & Ultex Picks, Creative Audio Labs, LM Straps, Takamine Guitars, MXR Effects, Wampler Pedals/IndyGuitarist.com, 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...