Erik Scott Smith

Erik Scott Smith has been on stage his entire life, but found music in quite an unusual way. At the age of 6, Erik began performing in local community musical theatre and drama productions. As he stuck with it, he soon starred in professional theatre in Nasvhille and eventually, TV ("Dawson's Creek") and film projects in North Carolina ("A Walk to Remember" & "Cold Mountain"). During this time, Erik bought his first guitar for $100 and began teaching himself the basics.

He was soon writing songs and performing for co-stars like Mandy Moore and Renee Zellweger - who constantly encouraged him to take a shot at Hollywood. Erik describes himself as "an astronaut" in Los Angeles, California. "I'm kind of floating around observing the life while my air hose leads back to Tennessee somewhere."

Although Erik is still strongly tied to his hometown of Seymour, Tennessee, he has taken quickly to LA. Since his long, tedious journey out west, Erik has already shared the screen with such stars as Sissy Spacek, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman and tons of others. "Acting is my foundation. I found myself as a person when I found myself as an actor" Erik says. "It's also a constant journey. There's always another project - another character. And every single time, you feel a tremendous sense of awe that a director, a producer, or a writer felt you worthy to let you into their world...their vision. And at the same time, it's an incredible feeling to have your own vision. I guess that's where music comes in."

While Erik's acting career takes on a life of its own, he spends the rest of his time writing, recording, and performing music. With his spare time and cash, Erik has built a small home recording studio in his Burbank apartment which he appropriately named MyHouse Recording Studio. Here, he has recorded and produced three full length CDs on his own. "I love music...in every way that I can love music. Writing is the truest form of expression that I know. But, there are so many other aspects of music - like performing it and recording it. I love love love the recording process. Sit me in front of a computer screen, a mixing board, and a microphone, and bring me Mountain Dew and pretzels every few hours and I'm the happiest kid on earth."

Not only did Erik record his three albums almost entirely on his own, he also played every instrument and sang every harmony. "Does that make me a control freak? Yes." Erik will always consider himself a "Tennessee kid at heart," but not if Los Angeles has anything to say about it. It seems as if LA has quite the crush on our redneck friend. His air may be back in Tennessee, but he puts his heart into every new project that comes his way.

Erik is currently finishing a film called "Garden Party" in which he plays a homeless musician. The film includes four original songs.

- written by erikscottsmith.com.