SCOTT SMITH – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND IN -DEPTH INTERVIEW

By Ralph Beauchamp

Scott Smith is both a singer/songwriter based in the Northeast and a founding member of the countrified North County Band.

Scott Smith has always carried the quiet confidence of a storyteller who trusts the song to do the heavy lifting. As a solo singer-songwriter, his work leans into honest melodies and unvarnished lyrics, the kind that feel lived-in rather than performed. His voice sits comfortably between brazen intonations and warmth, giving his songs an intimate, conversational tone It is as if he’s letting the listener in on something personal rather than aiming for spectacle. Whether stripped down to guitar and voice or gently layered with texture, his solo material highlights a clear songwriting identity rooted in sincerity and emotional clarity.

That same grounding presence becomes even more compelling in his role as a founding member of the North County Band. Within the group, Smith’s songwriting sensibility blends with a collective sound shaped by collaboration and shared musical history. He contributes not just songs, but balance—knowing when to step forward and when to support the broader arrangement. The band format allows his ideas to stretch outward, gaining energy from harmonies, rhythmic drive, and the push-and-pull that comes from working with other musicians who speak the same musical language.

What makes Scott Smith stand out is how naturally he moves between these two worlds. His solo work feels like the core—personal, reflective, and direct—while the North County Band shows how those same instincts can scale into something communal and expansive. Together, they paint a picture of an artist who values both independence and connection, someone who understands that the best songs can thrive whether they’re whispered from a stage alone or shared across a room full of bandmates.

Scott Smith will be performing at the Tip of the Hat performance showcasing the music of John Denver on Thursday 2/12. The show will be at the Buttonwood Tree located at 605 Main Street in Middletown, Ct. The event is produced by Bigger Beast Records and All Boats Rise Entertainment. Also performing are American Elm, Anne Marie Menta and Inner Groove.

Scott Smith was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.

AMP: When did you first realize songwriting was something you had to do, not just wanted to try?

SCOTT: I was a late bloomer. I wrote my first song in my late 40’s. Once I felt the magic of watching a song develop with my band, I was hooked.

AMP: What comes first for you – lyrics, melody, or a feeling you’re trying to capture?

SCOTT: It varies

AMP: Do you have a song that feels especially close to who you are right now?

SCOTT: “One of Those Days” from the Lay it on the Line album by my band, the North County Band. It’s a painful story of a man hooked on booze nearing death. As a person in alcohol recovery, I use the song as an opportunity to shine a light on the hope of recovery. I feel good about that.

AMP: Has your songwriting evolved over the years? If so, how?

SCOTT: I hope it’s gotten better. The biggest change is opening myself up to co-writing. For me, it’s more productive and more fun than going it alone.

AMP: You will be performing at the Tip of the Hat music series at the Buttonwood Tree presented by Bigger Beast Records / All Boats Rise Entertainment on Feb. 12th. John Denver is the featured artist. Was Denver a major influence in your creative journey?

SCOTT: John Denver is certainly an influence. He used his talents to promote humanitarian causes and had a natural warmth. He treated his audience like friends. I admire him for that.

AMP: You are also a founding member of the North County Band. How did the band first come together?

SCOTT: We started the band in my garage without a clear vision but a plan to become a country cover band. To my great fortune, I found a group of wildly talented and ambitious musicians who love to perform and share a love of adventure. We started performing original music and people liked it. This encouraged us to explore that world. These days we are working hard and committed to getting our own music heard.

Cat Lines & I write the songs for the band. She is our bands musical director, fiddle player, and my fellow lead vocalist. Bradley Clark, Jona Ziac, Vinny Zuppo, and David Rauh are the rest of the band. Each brings a lot of experience & talent. We learn from each other. Performing with these folks is pure joy.

AMP: The North County band has a strong sense of place in its sound. How important is that to the group?

SCOTT: Our sound has evolved a little each year. We don’t plan to make any major changes, but as we start to incorporate songs for the next album, we will see where the music takes us.

AMP: How do you navigate creative differences when they come up?

SCOTT: The North County Band has been touring together for 5 years now. We are a family. Sometimes we fight about one thing or another, but we all have a strong bond and thick skin.

AMP: What have you learned about yourself as an artist by doing both?

SCOTT: I have learned that the more I make an effort to get to know and support fellow artists, the more I learn about how to improve my own craft. It’s good to be a part of an artist community. Participating in events like the one on Feb 12th strengthens that sense of community.

AMP: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the next chapter – solo, band or both?

SCOTT: The Band

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