u n c o m m o n * m u s i c
51 years, 35 albums

Updated: May 6, 2024

PLEASE NOTE: For over 50 years now, Smithfield Fair has maintained a constant schedule of performance and recording. In 2024 we have decided to take a break from performance to attend to other projects and recordings. We’ll keep you posted on our activities here and on our Facebook page. We thank you all for your continued support.
Smithfield Fair's 35th and latest album, A PLACE IN YOUR HEART, is a collection of new versions of 14 signature songs from the group's amazing history and is available in limited physical copies from the band and at Saxon Studios in Bunkie, Louisiana


"Smithfield Fair, what a concert, what a night! Dudley-Brian Smith, the consummate entertainer, connects one by one, with each and every face in the room as he sings. I've always loved his mischievous "I know something you don't" twinkle in his eyes. He's ever the charming rogue. Bobby Smith's performance style seems more ethereal. He often closes his eyes, intensely feeling every note, every lyric, but then, when you least expect it, he will almost burst into a jig as pure joy takes hold of him. (Go ahead and bust a move, Bobby--there are those of us who will join in the dance!) And of course, center stage: the luminous muse, Jan Smith. Her voice is beyond gorgeous--it's hard to take your eyes off of her. (And husband Dudley hasn't, for 30+ years!) Jan doesn't need a spotlight, she IS a spotlight! As if the night couldn't get any better, they sang one of my favorites for the encore. Thank you, my friends, for a magical night." - Lane Voltz Barry (Photo below by David NORMAND)



For 50 years, five decades, the focus of Smithfield Fair has been harmony vocals and original songs deftly placed over acoustic instrumentation. Smithfield Fair has presented its heartfelt original music and arrangements of traditional songs across the United States on concert and festival stages; in historic venues and theatres; at large events such as the World's Fair, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Kerrville Folk Festival; as well as in the most intimate coffeehouses, cafes and house concerts. Flowers In Her Hair, Longships, James of the Glen, God Never Sleeps, Flying High and other Smithfield Fair songs have become popular internationally through constant radio, satellite and internet airplay. Smithfield Fair continues to be a true original, creating hopeful and imaginative songs, and performing them with passion, honesty and humor.



Music begets music! Proceeds from purchased Smithfield CDs go toward making new music.
Listen to and purchase Smithfield Fair music here: AMAZON




A SHORT HISTORY OF SMITHFIELD FAIR


Smithfield Fair began in Pensacola, Florida in 1973 under the name 'Laughter' as a project by Dudley-Brian Smith and Dwight Beebe to promote original songs sung with harmony and backed by acoustic instrumentation. The trio’s first recording contract came in 1974 when they worked with famed producer Bud Reneau (songwriter/producer, Dobie Gray and others) in Nashville. Dubbed by one reviewer as “the perfect café band”, Laughter moved home in 1976 to Alexandria, Louisiana where Dudley’s brothers Joel and Bob, auxiliary members since the start, joined full time. The group changed its name to 'Charmer' and released its first single, 'A Place In Your Heart' in 1977 on legendary Floyd Soileau's One Way Records, expanding recognition regionally.


Founding the independent Rapides Records in 1980, they issued their first album, 'Only the Wind' in 1981 followed by ‘Must Be The Gypsy’ in 1982 which boosted them into concert openings for such artists as Louisiana’s LeRoux, Zachary Richard and Arlo Guthrie. In 1983, Joel left to pursue other projects, but rejoined in 1985 for a time. Also in 1983 singer/songwriter Jan Dedon Smith joined brothers Dudley-Brian and Bob and the group continued concert appearances with artists such as Jesse Winchester, John Prine, Nancy Griffith; touring the South with New York’s The Washington Squares; and appearing at such legendary venues as Storyville Jazz Hall in New Orleans, Rockafella’s in Houston, and even the 1984 World’s Fair.


By 1989 the group had moved toward the Scottish music of their shared heritage, and the group once more changed its name, this time to 'Smithfield Fair', blending traditional and original songs. They were soon joined by nephew Frank Bladen on bodhran; he remained until 2008. Smithfield Fair became recognized world-wide as one of the foremost presenters of Scottish music in North America. During this period, the group signed a four-album deal with Centaur World Records, giving them international distribution. They continued a busy performance schedule regularly working with a Who’s Who of celebrated Celtic performers that included Alasdair Fraser, Eileen Ivers, Brian McNeill, the Battlefield Band, the Tannahill Weavers, Archie Fisher, Andy M. Stewart and Alex Beaton. For twenty years, they received continual critical praise for the group’s strong, seamless pairing of traditional and original songs, and enjoyed international radio and internet airplay. However, the heritage movement began to wind down in the early part of the new millennium, so Smithfield Fair returned to a focus on its original music.


Performances continued at such venues as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Smithfield Fair’s music was increasingly used nationally in movies, television and web programs and radio campaigns. Since 2014, the group’s original song Sweet Sugar Cane has been licensed by the Louisiana-based American Sugar Cane League and continues as a promotional theme. Today, the group’s longest-standing line-up of Jan (vocals, accordion, guitar, piano), Bob (vocals, acoustic bass, percussion) and Dudley-Brian Smith (vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin) continues to actively perform and release new, original music – with album number 35, a 50th anniversary collection, released in 2022.


"Smithfield Fair, an almost-impossible-to-categorize folk/roots band has mesmerized audiences worldwide over the radio, television, film, clubs and concert halls...has earned praise for its tight arrangements, elegant song selection and some of the most haunting vocal harmonies this side of heaven." - R.U. Eddy, GrisGris Magazine


Smithfield Fair sounds like no one else. Their folky mix is awash with elements of Celtic, jazz, blues, swamp-pop and gospel, and continues to demonstrate an uncommonly original and versatile approach fortified with passion, creativity and imagination. As always, there’s more to come, so, stay tuned!


ITEMS OF INTEREST:

Tune into Smithfield Fair Radio.

Smithfield Fair & Charmer music has now been added to KC Cafe Radio, THE place for singer-songwriter-original music.
Tune in and request our music often and enjoy new music by other independent and original artists!

Smithfield Fair is on Facebook. Be sure to visit and 'like' us.



Note: This website is the only official source for information on Smithfield Fair.
Every effort is made to make certain all information is correct and up to date.

All Smithfield Fair's guitars are Guilds made in Westerly, Rhode Island, set-up and maintained by Holger Notzel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
You can contact Holger at 225-955-9283 or at 4262 Perkins Road - behind Black Torch Tattoos - 2-6 p.m., Monday through Friday; or through Komet Amps.
Yeah, they make the amps used by Sonny Landreth, Mark Knopfler, Eddie Van Halen & others.

Remember - We love to hear from you. E-mail us anytime.
(Please note: our old email at info@smithfieldfair.com no longer works. Please use the email above.)

STEVENSON PRODUCTIONS



Webmaster UPDATED ON MAY 6, 2023
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