Art, beauty, and truth—such words characterize the music and person of Myla Smith. Born and raised on a non-working farm just north of Memphis in Shake Rag, Tennessee, Myla’s passion for music and lyrical honesty comes from a bright, insightful mind and rich musical roots. Myla began singing in church choirs at an early age, but got her first taste of the music business when her family moved to Dallas, Texas, in her late adolescence.
During an audition at a Dallas studio, Myla caught the attention of music producer, Bob Singleton, who gave her the opportunity to join a group of singers for a children’s television program on PBS—Barney & Friends. Myla got plenty of studio time over the next two and a half years recording songs for the TV show as well as other projects for Singleton Productions, including a Grammy-nominated Barney & Friends album and the Dove Award-winning Great Songs for God’s Kids.
After moving back to Tennessee, Myla stayed close to her classical roots and continued to perform in church as a featured soloist in major orchestral programs such as Handel’s “Messiah” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”. However, it was the influence of artists the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Allison Krauss and Joni Mitchell that made Myla pick up a guitar as a teenager. Starting out a classical guitar student, it was folk music that Myla found to be the best medium for self-expression.
As college became a major focus in her life, Myla achieved academic success as she graduated top of her class from the University of Memphis with a degree in Accounting and an MBA. She quickly earned a CPA license and was soon mired in the bog of corporate America. Myla knew she needed an escape from the busyness of her career and once again turned to music. With countless stories and poetic melodies tucked away in her mind, Myla began to put the ink to the page, and after writing her first song, “Pin-Up Girl,” she knew that songwriting was in her blood.
In 2006, Myla started recording her debut album, All the Things That Go Missing, teaming with long-time Memphis music notables Van Duren, Brady Howle, and Rick Steff. All the Things That Go Missing captures the essence of Myla’s passions—the love of music, the art of songwriting, and the truth in lyric. Since releasing her debut album, Myla established independent record label Shake Rag Records to fund and produce projects dear to her, from a Christian worship album benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims to EP compilations of local songwriters. She has worked as a vocalist for Ardent Records and has been featured on albums for Dove award-winning Christian artist Clay Crosse and 5-time Dove nominee Todd Agnew. As a songwriter, Myla was awarded 3rd place in American Songwriter’s Lyrics Contest in May 2010, 3rd place in Tennessee Concerts 2010 Song Contest, Top 10 Finalist in the 2010 NSAI Song Contest sponsored by CMT, 2010 Song Of The Year Songwriting Contest Winner (Pop category), 10th Annual Independent Music Awards Winner for Best Holiday Song, 18th Annual Billboard Song Contest Semi-Finalist (Country category), 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner (Gospel/Inspirational category) and Finalist (Country category), and 2010 International Songwriting Competition Semi-Finalist.
Myla’s latest release, double EP White/Gold, was named Best of Memphis 2010 by The Commercial Appeal, calling White/Gold “the most commercially viable recording to come out of Memphis” in 2010. Myla released White/Gold on her wedding day, as a tribute to her husband, who co-produced and played on the album. Myla relishes all opportunities to share her music.
