Local Musician Releases Debut Single

By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor

Camden Smith, a young and upcoming musical artist from Trenton, has released his first single, “I Don’t Wanna Miss You.”

Smith is 15 years old and has lived in Dade County his whole life. He has been playing music since he was 12 years old, and started his musical career eight months ago.

“I started out as a drummer. I already knew how to play guitar, so I decided to pick that up and learn how to sing a bit,” Smith said. “I have been doing that ever since. It has been fun.”

The song, written by Smith himself, was inspired by a dream.

“I had a vivid dream, and I still remember it. I woke up and decided to write the words to it. Typing the words probably took about five minutes. The next day I got my guitar and figured it out musically,” Smith said.

The song was produced by Dran Michael Lewis, who is a producer, musician and songwriter from Chattanooga. Lewis also played string instruments for the recording. Amber Carrington Lewis, his wife, sang background vocals. Amber was on season four of The Voice.

“We went in there and started out with acoustical guitar, and then did the drums. It was one instrument at a time. It was cool to watch and see,” Smith said about the recording process.

In addition to Dran and Amber Lewis, Smith’s uncle Johnny Smith played drums for the song recording. Josh Grambling, a guitarist for the Nashville based band, Radio Romance, performed the guitar solo.

“We’ve got some pretty cool people on the song,” Smith said.

Smith describes his own musical style as country rock. He noted that his musical influences are artists like Jason Aldean, and that his biggest influences are artists from Texas, like Parker McCollum.

Smith said that he has played the majority of the stages in Chattanooga and Rome, Georgia.

“I played the last show at Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga. I have played at The Brewhouse (which has since changed owners and is now Peaches) in Rome,” Smith said. “I have also done Georgia Has Talent.”

Smith has performed on the same stages as country artists such as Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs.

His single, “I Don’t Wanna Miss You,” can be downloaded on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and more. You can follow Smith on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at Camden Smith Music.

As of right now, Smith does not have any upcoming shows, but he is hoping to play in Alabama this year.

“There are some things in the works as far as music. For me it is about becoming more successful in my life,” Smith said.