Up close and personal
Country music star Dallas Smith Slow Rollin’ his way to Truro during nation-wide tour
Fame and success — they can change a person. But for one country music star making his way to Truro, that’s not the case.
“I like to think it hasn’t changed me,” Dallas Smith recently shared with the Truro Daily News.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time and I know the ups and downs,” says the rocker-turned-country music star, who has been dominating the Canadian country music world with hit after hit, as well as numerous awards and accolades.
“On a personal level,” he said, “I think I’ve become a little more confident in what I do, a little more willing to take risks and … stretch out my creativity. What matters is the music you put out and whether people are gravitating towards it.”
Smith, the first Canadian country music artist to have three straight No. 1 singles, recently received yet another indication that people are, indeed, embracing his music.
During the Canadian Country Music Association awards earlier this month in Saskatoon, he took home three wins.
“This year was fantastic ... I think it took me four years to win my first CCMA. I think I was onefor-16 nominations, but I never felt a lack of respect and acceptance from the community, the artists and (radio) stations,” he said.
Smith, 39, from Langley, B.C., will embark on a Side Effects/ Road to Cavendish cross-Canada tour later this month. The 26-city tour includes a stop in Truro on Oct. 13 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre.
Smith says he’s excited to perform in a small community like Truro.
“I prefer the up close and personal venues … the more we see people enjoying themselves the
more we are feeling that and loving that…”
With such a diverse collection of music, Smith pauses before sharing what his favourite songs are from past and current CDs. He said the hit single ‘Lifted’ is at the top of his list.
“There’s something about that song that is very special. I just
love the descriptive … different thing I do with my voice in the verses and my wheelhouse in the chorus. It’s a very dynamic, very cool — lyrically — song.”
Smith is also partial to the No. 1 single ‘Side Effects,’ a song that allows him to return to his rock roots.
“I can kind of bring back what I
used to do with the old rock band stuff, (it’s) a little more aggressive,” he said.
And he’s eager to hear fans’ feedback.
“What it comes down to is, and it’s very cliche to say, but without them there’s nothing. Everything else doesn’t matter.”
What’s next for Smith? Family time and more music, as he anticipates recording a new CD in the near future.