Mindy Smith

With such high-profile fans as Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Buddy Miller, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill and Amy Grant, singer-songwriter Mindy Smith should really be a mass-appeal star. The Long Island native, who has called Nashville home for more than a decade, crafts musical and lyrical vignettes about emotional frailties. Her melodic, lilting voice paints sometimes heartbreaking and sometimes jubilant pictures of longing, reminiscing and reflecting.
Throughout four albums, the latest of which is the beautifully captivating Stupid Love, Smith has quietly presented herself as an artist that won’t compromise her muse. She writes songs that borrow elements of folk, country, pop, Americana and So-Cal rock. But there’s no categorizing her. Smith doesn’t fit neatly into any radio format. It’s no wonder she’s chosen to remain with longtime independent imprint Vanguard Records. The label has allowed her to retain creative control of her projects, which include the auspicious debut, 2004’s One Moment More, and the haunting sophomore effort, 2006’s Long Island Shores.