Rainbird Smith

Rainbird Smith will be performig her original sultry music at Amber Falls Winery on Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 1:00 until 5:00 pm. Smith refers to her performance as "Story-telling for adults."

"[When I say story-telling for adults] I mean [I sing about] those topics that we, as grownups, rarely attempt to talk about within the familiarity of our everyday lives," said Smith. "All of my songs are originals.. only one or two covers. Nevertheless, these are stories from my life. Things that I have lived through and eperienced. So, the only thing that will be familiar, will be the feeling of love."

Smith said the performance would be nothing to blush about, with performance being more of a common interest thing than anything else with lots of audience participation and a little bit of tongue-n-cheek.

"I am not a fresh-pot, but I sure know how to perk things up! So, I would suggest audience members be 21 and older," said Smith when asked if the performance would be family friendly. "In other words; if the family consists of all adults, then yes. Small children, it'll probably go right over their heads but teens and the likes... I would not recommend it. They'll have questions later," said Smith, laughing.

Smith has been wirting songs since she was 12 and professionally since the age of 18. She grew up in a musical home where both parents were musicians. Her father started encouraging her when he saw she had a love for poetry.

Her father, who passed away in 2008, was Mr. Claydes "Charles" Smith, the founder and lead guitarist of a group that was popular in the 1970s and 80s called Kool and the Gang who are popular for hits such as Celebration, Cherish, Ladies Night and Jungle Boogie.

Smith's mother is a jazz vocalist. She sang with Coltrane Review and still to this day, gets top billing wherever she performs, said Smith.

"My mom's really my hero," said Smith. "[Growing up, there] was lots of creativity, love and juice... lots of juice!"

Juice, Smith explained, meant "high vies.. electric. Always something happening. Juice!"

Smith, originally from New York/New Jersey, recently moved to Hampshire from North Carolina with her husband, Juan Carlos, JC, and landed in Hampshire "purely by accident."

"Well, we had some firends who already lived in Hampshire. Knowing my childhood dream of living off-grid and homesteading, they quickly contacted us once they were made aware of some land that was available for sale. We purchased it sight unseen, sold everything we had and relocated to Hampshire. Hohenwald just happens to be the place we do all of our 'partying'!" Smith laughed.

Smith said she has enjoyed adjusting to the small, quiet town of Hampshire and has also grown to love Hohenwald.

"The folks in Hohenwald have been super cool to me and JC. Almost everyone that we have met here have extended themselves to us," said Smith, "I mean you get the few knuckle-heads here and there, but I mostly feel sorry for them. Other than that, it's been great!"

Smith has taken musical inspiration from artists such as Lena Horne, Dionne Warwick, Steely Dan, Charlie Pride, Elvis, Rush, Wes Montgomery, Journey, Miles Davis, jao Gilberto and The Eagles and many others.

"We were exposed to a ton of artists with varying styles. But this was back when music was art. It was a beautiful time to grow up and be alive," said Smith.

When asked if she would be performing more often around town, Smith responded, "Hopefully! If the audience at Amber Falls digs it, then definitely. I look foward to it."