Solo country artist Daniel Smith (not to be confused with another Daniel Smith, frontman for contemporary Christian indie/gospel group Danielson) was born in Taylor Mill, Kentucky just a stones throw from the thriving Cincinnati music scene. He learned to play guitar as a youngster, emulating the sounds of Eddy Arnold and Conway Twitty, but gravitated towards more of a rock-oriented sound in high school.

He formed a rock band called No Exit in college, backed by members of his fraternity. Fronted by the charismatic, six-foot-five Smith, No Exit became a popular act in the Cincinnati club scene, but the band dissolved after college. Daniel soon found work in the construction business purchasing and refurbishing houses throughout Ohio and Kentucky. While working as a do-it-yourself contractor, Smith picked up the guitar again and began recording songs himself, forgoing his collegiate rock sensibilities in favor of a more relaxed country sound.

Daniel didn’t know what to do with his recordings at first; initially, he just mailed the demos away to record labels throughout Nashville, Tennessee, the epicenter of the American country music scene. Somewhat surprised he didn’t get a response, he began taking trips to Nashville in the early 2000’s to familiarize himself with the recording business and make connections in the city. In summer 2002, Daniel took a leap of faith and moved to Nashville to pursue a recording career full-time.

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