Memphis, Tennessee
31 Years Old
Singer-Songwriter

writer profile >

BIOGRAPHY

Art, beauty, and truth—such words characterize the music and person of Myla Smith. Born and raised on a non-working farm just north of Memphis in Shake Rag, Tennessee, Myla’s passion for music and lyrical honesty comes from a bright, insightful mind and rich musical roots. Myla began singing in church choirs at an early age, but got her first taste of the music business when her family moved to Dallas, Texas.

During an audition at a Dallas studio, Myla caught the attention of music producer, Bob Singleton, who gave her the opportunity to join a group of singers for a top children’s television program on PBS—Barney & Friends. Myla got plenty of studio time over the next two and a half years recording songs for the TV show as well as other projects for Singleton Productions, including a Grammy-nominated Barney & Friends album and the Dove Award-winning Great Songs For God’s Kids.

Throughout her high school years, Myla stayed close to her classical roots and continued to perform in church as a featured soloist in major orchestral programs such as Handel’s Messiah and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. However, it was the influence of artists the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Allison Krauss and Joni Mitchell that made Myla pick up a guitar at the age of 15. Starting out a classical guitar student, it was folk music that Myla found to be the best medium for self-expression.

In 2006, Myla started recording her debut album, All the Things That Go Missing, teaming with long-time Memphis music notables Van Duren, Brady Howle, and Rick Steff. All the Things That Go Missing captures the essence of Myla’s passions—the love of music, the art of songwriting, and the truth in lyric. Myla established her own independent record label, Shake Rag Records, to fund and produce projects dear to her, from a Christian worship album benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims to EP compilations of local songwriters. She also works as a featured vocalist for Ardent Records. Always stretching herself, Myla's latest full-length album WHITE/GOLD released Sept 2010 is a double-EP featuring two discs produced in different styles - country and indie pop. She released the album on her wedding day. She appreciates all opportunities to share her music.

LEVEL

semi-pro

GENRES

Pop, Folk, Country

PUBLISHING COMPANY

Sweeter Green Music (ASCAP), I own my own publishing

Contact

Management: N/A
Publishing: Sweeter Green Music, mylasmith@gmail.com
Label: Shake Rag Records, mylasmith@gmail.com
Booking: N/A
Administrative: mylasmith@gmail.com

P.R.O.

ASCAP

INSTRUMENTS

acoustic guitar / electric guitar / vocals

I AM INTERESTED IN

in pitching songs to artist
in pitching songs to tv
in getting a publishing deal

I WRITE:

It's my second job

I Also Write:
by myself
with others

I Prefer To Write:
lyrics
melody

experience >

SONG PLACEMENTS

song "Big Red Bow" current finalist for Eden's Edge project with Big Machine Records

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest - Grand Prize Winner, Inspirational category, for "Christmas Lights" 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest - Finalist, Country category, for "Big Red Bow" 2010 International Songwriting Competition - Semi-Finalist, Country category, for "You're The One" 2010 NSAI Song Contest, sponsored by CMT - Top 10 Finalist for "You Can't Hold It" 18th Annual Billboard Worldwide Song Contest - 2nd Place, Country category, for "You're The One" 10th Annual Independent Music Awards - Nominee, Holiday Song category, for "Christmas Lights" 2010 Song Of The Year Songwriting Contest - 1st Place, Pop category, for "Closer" 2010 Tennessee Concerts Song Contest - 2nd Place for "You're The One" American Songwriter Lyric Contest May/June 2010 - 3rd Place for "Come Find Me In the Wilderness" Commercial Appeal Best of Memphis 2010 - #7 album of the year for "White/Gold"

OTHER SONG OR ALBUM CREDITS

vocals on Todd Agnew's album "Need", released 2009
vocals on Clay Crosse's untitled album, to be released 2010
vocals on Chris Arena's album "Hennessy", released 2009
vocals on Jamie Randolph's EP "A Darkhorse Christmas", released 2009
vocals on The Silent Parade's album "The Safest Boy", released 2008
vocals on Jamie Randolph's single "Big Screen Love", released 2008
vocals on Jamie Randolph's single "White Christmas", released 2006

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