CJ Smith has been playing and writing since the age of 11 or 12. In the early days he travelled the country as a kind of modern day troubador, gigging from a stage on the roof of his old station wagon and in his own words, worked his way through rock, blues, jazz and then with the arrival of the late 60's early 70's, a series of half-arsed bands doing covers. In the mid 70's he was heavily influenced by storytellers like Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, and started writing original material. Over the years he has amassed a large catalogue of songs across all genres and sees himself first and foremost as a lyricist.

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CJ Smith's last album, the outstanding "MISSING CHAPTERS FROM THE BOOK OF BLUES" is now available for sale on Broadjam. Featuring 10 original blues tracks with the final three presented as a trilogy.

CJ Smith

CJ Smith is Australian and was introduced to some serious music at age 8 or 9 by an uncle who played blues & folk harmonica. He started playing guitar at age 12 when he ‘borrowed’ one of his father’s guitars and smuggled it into his boarding school dorm.

In the early years Australia was a hotspot for a whole cross section of music genres and CJ played or jammed with anyone who was available. He travelled the country as a kind of modern day troubador, gigging from a stage on the roof of his old station wagon and in his own words, “worked his way through rock, blues, jazz and then with the arrival of the late 60’s early 70’s, a series of half-arsed bands doing covers”. In the mid 70’s he was heavily influenced by storytellers like Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, and started writing original material.
Over the years he has amassed a large catalogue of songs across all genres and sees himself first and foremost as a lyricist.

“I try to tell stories. The the voice and guitar are the best vehicle I know”.At a recent performance he asked the audience if they wanted to hear some brand new material, and pulling out his lyrics sheets he said “You’ll have to put up with the rustle of paper... I just write ‘em I don’t remember them.”

His passion is evident, and he possesses a unique way of attracting attention to deep, serious lyrics with the use of light and unusual composition.

Having steered away from performance for the last 10 or 12 years, CJ Smith is now back and loving it.

He has performed to audiences in Australia, France and Greece, and has been surprised to discover that the demand for ‘real songs with real lyrics’ is back and finding great popularity with audiences of all ages.

As a performer, CJ Smith brings a rare talent as a lyricist/storyteller to a eclectic grouping of material that includes love songs, ballads, blues, protest songs, serious folk songs, adult contemporary and the occasional lighthearted look at life. His voice ranges at will from Don Henley high to a gravelly Tom Waits low.