Biography
Smithfield Fair is a Louisiana-based acoustic folk group that has maintained one of the longest continuous careers in American singer-songwriter music, spanning over 50 years since their formation in 1973. The group originated in Pensacola, Florida under the name 'Laughter' as a project by Dudley-Brian Smith to promote original songs featuring harmony vocals and acoustic instrumentation. After moving to Alexandria, Louisiana in 1976, they evolved through several incarnations, first as 'Charmer' (1976-1989) and finally settling on 'Smithfield Fair' in 1989 when they shifted focus to Scottish traditional music, reflecting their shared Scottish heritage.
Throughout their career, Smithfield Fair has released 36 formal albums, with their music gaining international recognition and distribution through labels like Centaur World Records. The group's sound has been described by critics as 'a folksy Supertramp' with a 'definite Peter Gabriel vibe,' seamlessly blending traditional Scottish folk with original compositions. Their 1982 song 'It's Never Too Late' experienced a recent resurgence, garnering re-releases by Los Angeles' Forager Records and London-based BBE, leading to extensive international radio airplay from Denmark to Japan. The current lineup consists of Jan Smith (vocals, piano, guitar), Bob Smith (vocals, acoustic bass, percussion), and Dudley-Brian Smith (vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin), who continue to perform and release new music while maintaining their reputation as one of North America's foremost presenters of Scottish music.
Fun Facts
- The group has performed under three different names throughout their career: Laughter (1973-1976), Charmer (1976-1989), and Smithfield Fair (1989-present)
- Their original song 'Sweet Sugar Cane' has been licensed by the Louisiana-based American Sugar Cane League as a promotional theme since 2015
- They founded their own independent record label, Rapides Records, in 1980 to maintain creative control over their releases
- The group performed at the 1984 World's Fair and legendary venues like Storyville Jazz Hall in New Orleans and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Bud Reneau - Producer who worked with the group in their early Nashville recordings (North Wind City Lights b/w To Carla single) [1974]
- Joe Moore - Emmy-winning producer who handled their early recordings (Early Pensacola recordings) [1973-1974]
Key Collaborators
- David Praet - Long-time co-producer and guitarist (Multiple albums including Never Too Late) [Long-term collaboration]
- Frank Bladen - Nephew who played bodhran (Scottish music period) [1989-2008]
- Alasdair Fraser - Celebrated Celtic performer they regularly worked with (Scottish music performances) [1989-2009]
- Eileen Ivers - Celtic musician collaboration (Scottish music performances) [1989-2009]
- Brian McNeill - Celtic musician collaboration (Scottish music performances) [1989-2009]
- The Tannahill Weavers - Celtic group collaboration (Scottish music performances) [1989-2009]
- Andy M. Stewart - Celtic musician collaboration (Scottish music performances) [1989-2009]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Burns Night Out! | 2002-12-03 | Album |
| Evermore | 2017-01-23 | Album |
| 20 For 20 | 2007-08-22 | Album |
| Never Too Late | 2025-06-02 | Album |
| A Place in Your Heart | 2022-07-01 | Album |
| Looking for Wonderland | 2021-03-10 | Album |
| In the Air | 2020-12-01 | Album |
| Gospelesque | 2019-06-07 | Album |
| Marbles: Instrumentals for the Little Cinema | 2015-01-20 | Album |
| Companions | 2014-01-15 | Album |
| Stick, Brick & Mortar | 2013-06-01 | Album |
| Every New Day | 2011-08-01 | Album |
| Scotland, Fair Scotland | 2010-02-22 | Album |
| The Longing | 2009-08-05 | Album |
| Walking Through This World | 2006-08-08 | Album |
Top Tracks
- My Heart Ever Faithful (Evermore)
- The Pretender Will Come No More (20 For 20)
- Wha'll Be King But Cherlie/Cam Ye O'er Frae France (Scotland, Fair Scotland)
- My Heart's In The Highlands (20 For 20)
- A Man's A Man For A' That (Burns Night Out!)
- Green Grow The Rashes (Burns Night Out!)
- Glenlogie (Smithfield Fair: Cairdeas (Kinship))
- An Ataireachd Ard (the Eternal Surge of the Sea) (Smithfield Fair: Cairdeas (Kinship))
- 'S ann an Ile (It Is of Isla or Song of Isla) (Smithfield Fair: Cairdeas (Kinship))
- Leis an Lurgainn (Smithfield Fair: Cairdeas (Kinship))
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Smithfield Fair has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2025 | 06:27 | Piper's Plaidfrom Jacobites By Name | Music in the Glen |