Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Smith & Wesley and Friends show Saturday
John Anderson, Mitch Rossell and Bucky Covington also on the bill
Before his death in 2015, Wes Smith was involved in numerous community projects in the North Georgia and Chattanooga area. After his death, the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment was created to continue that work.
On Saturday night, Sept. 15, Scott and Todd Smith will honor their father when they host Smith & Wesley and Friends. The two perform under that name to honor their father, and this event is a fundraiser for the endowment. Joining them will be John Anderson, Mitch Rossell, Bucky Covington and Cotter Hill.
“He (Wes Smith) had a foundation when he was the CEO of the [Northwest Georgia] bank, and he did a lot for North Georgia and the Chattanooga areas,” says Scott Smith. “After he died, we turned it into the Wes and Shirley Smith Charitable Endowment to continue doing what he started.
“One of the things he helped build was the Northwest Georgia Amphitheater. He raised money for it, so we want to have one of these shows there every year as a fundraiser.”
The brothers put together the lineup with acoustic music in mind. Each of the acts will do their sets essentially unplugged.
“It will be a nice, laidback affair,” Smith says.
The two are currently drawing a good deal of attention on Music Row and Billboard charts with their latest single, “Hook, Line & Sinker.”
Anderson is probably best- known for his hit “Swingin’,” but he also scored with “I’ve Got a Feelin’ ( Somebody’s Stealin’),” “Wild and Blue,” “Black Sheep,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.”
Rossell is a Silverdale Baptist Academy graduate who is quickly making a name for himself as a songwriter, having scored a No. 1 hit with Garth Brooks with “Ask Me How I Know,” and as a performer, touring with Brooks and doing solos shows such as Riverbend Festival.
Covington f i nished eighth on Season 5 of “American Idol” and has had hit singles with “A Different World,” “It’s Good to Be Us” and “I’ll Walk.”
Hill was a finalist in the recent Nash Next competition.
“We are really proud to be doing this,” Smith says.