QA & With Bennie J. Smith

What’s your deliration process for selecting what track will make the cut for your CD? I usually navigate the music landscape to either see what everyone, on the average, is listening to in various genres and then I try to come up with what message I want to convey at the time and just go with my gut instinct. It’s not a routine and primarily spontaneous. But it has to feel good and comfortable within my spirit.

What has been one of the highlights if your music career? There have been many. But probably the most exciting highlights was getting the opportunity to open up for many National Recording Artists at concerts. I was fortunate to recently open for the legendary MORRIS DAY & THE TIME last summer in Louisville, KY and KEITH WASHINGTON during my Texas performance debut back in November 2021. Earlier in my career, I was fortunate enough to share the stage with MIDNIGHT STAR and S.O.S. BAND in my hometown in Lexington, KY in front of family and friends while a member of THE CALCULUS II BAND.

What’s the most important aspect of a song?

The melody, groove, beat, vide or lyrics? I would have to say all 4 elements are vital to any song. I typically start off with a theme or subject matter and then just start writing down a story line, not even thinking about rhyming at the time. Then I determine what kind of groove, beat and tempo I want it to be. After that I go back and start breaking down and shortening the narrative in 4 - 8-line short sentences. Then I begin the process of trying to either make the last words in the 2nd and 4th lines rhyme or at least sound similar. It’s kind of weird.

When you listen to music does it transport to a different place and time? It usually does. A lot of times I try to isolate and insulate myself in areas where there’s nobody around and I just throw on my headphones, close my eyes and just listen to all types of music and just get lost in it all. I start off with listening to instrumentals first before listening to anything lyrically. But I do try to imagine myself in another place or environment totally different from any places I’ve either ever seen or been.

Do you have life’s motto? You know....after being in a lot of bands and experiencing what every musician dreads: THE BAND BREAKUP SYNDROME...I was encouraged by a dear friend from Lexington named Ed Garner who actually suggested and encouraged me to do my own thing...start my own band! And almost from the beginning, this recurring theme kept entertaining into my mind. So, I’ve actually adopted it to be my universal life motto:

“Bringing love, peace and joyous vibes to the people of the world.”

What makes a great musician? Gift, talent, hard work, or dedication. I’ll have to say all 4 because when it gets down to it...EVERYBODY has a gift! We just have to figure out what it is. Of course, talent can always be developed if you take the time to hone your skills. Hard work never hurts nobody! You have to practice, practice and practice. I’ve found myself to slack up sometimes and I see the results. So, I have to be honest with myself and put in the extra work it takes to be good at what I do, instrumentally and vocally. And of course, dedication is the key component and will determine if you want to be GREAT or just MEDIOCORE!!!! This entertainment business has many, many talented and gifted artists. But the ones who rise to the top are those who are truly dedicated and put in the work.

What did this project mean to you postproduction? I was BLESSED to have been able to release two singles last year that really SPECIAL to me on a personal level. The EWF cover of “I’LL WRITE A SONG FOR YOU” had an impact on me when I first heard it as a sophomore in college while attending KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY with the November 1977 release of the ‘ALL-N-ALL’ album. The music was always mesmerizing with the acoustic guitar, the orchestration and of course, Philip Bailey put his signature vocals on that. So I’ve always wanted to do that song. Of course, I didn’t think it would take 45 years...LOL!!! It was released last June 28.

The PATTI LABELLE cover is extra special because she was one of my Mom’s favorite artists and she absolutely loved “SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BABY (YOU KNOW WHO IT IS). And I wanted to perform that instrumentally so I could dedicate it to her. I’m just sorry that she wasn’t here physically to hear the results. But both songs are very special to me personally and I’m just BLESSED and fortunate to have gotten those out. They’re both available on all streaming formats.

What do you want listeners to know most about you? Hmmmm... Primarily that I grew up in the housing projects in the West End of Lexington and a tiny house in Danville, KY. I experienced a two-parent and a single-parent household, survived all the lures of the underbelly of drugs, alcohol and other shady environments. I survived several bouts of depression through prayer and others praying for me. I’m a giving person who never wants to forget where I came from. And I have a crazy sense of humor!!! And finally... I just love PEOPLE from all walks of life!!!

How important is it to have a supportive spouse or partner in the music business? It’s extremely important to have someone in your life who shares and supports your vision. Artists are peculiar human beings and our creative juices flow almost 24/7/365 and it takes a SPECIAL PERSON to be able to endure and help nature and harness all of that. Artists are just different, and we just try to make a contribution to the world and try to make it a better place for all of humanity.

WOW!!! That’s a great question!

Looking over the historical landscape... I think I would first love to sit down with Mr. FREDERICK DOUGLASS to really understand what it must have felt like to experience all he’s been through and ascend to become one of this nation’s greatest heroes and inspirational figures.

Next, I would definitely want to sit down with Miss ARAMINTA ROSS aka HARRIET TUBMAN just to be around another courageous and strong Black woman who risked her life to save others while helping them to escape such treacherous times as slavery in this country.

What has been one or two of the biggest challenges you face as an indie artist? I think the biggest challenges have been to get my music played on mainstream radio and also get it on the various charts. I’ve been fortunate to get airplay and to get charted on internet radio for the first time in my life through Miss DINAHLYNN BIGGS and her BIGGS RADIO NETWORK and through Mr. HENDERSON VAUGHAN and his VAUGHAN RADIO MEDIA NETWORK.

What is your definition of good music? Good Music is an individual thing. What I may consider good music may not be good music to someone else. But the main thing is it has to touch one’s soul in its own unique way. There’s also ways music can touch people collectively as well. But it first has to resonate in each individual soul and spirit.

If you could have hot steaming Coffee with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

But it’s important to share that Indie Artists are practically in the driver’s seat and control our own destiny. We just have to learn the business, join and start your own music publishing company, get all your music copyrights and registrations filed, get your codes so your music can be tracked while being played on the airwaves and merchandising can be accounted for. And do “live” shows anywhere and anytime you can to get the exposure necessary for a successful and rewarding career.

LEAVE A LEGACY!