Payton Smith

Blessed with striking features worthy of a Hollywood leading man and a silky vocal delivery that evokes adolescent longing, Payton Smith merges the luminous, rhythm-and-blues-tinged country-pop associated with Sam Hunt and the powerful, stadium-filling country sound of Keith Urban. He commands six-strings with the same vigor Urban brings to the stage, while also displaying a knack for melody and rhythmic feel, qualities on full display in his 2019 viral online success "Like I Knew You Would."

Born in Houma, Louisiana, Payton Smith was handed his first guitar at age ten. He swiftly developed a deep connection to the instrument, looking up to John Mayer, Brad Paisley, and Urban as primary inspirations on the fretboard. While his family visited Nashville in 2014, the then-14-year-old performed in the lobby of their Hilton hotel; the impromptu set drew the notice of a session player connected to producer Buddy Cannon, known for his regular work with Kenny Chesney. Cannon offered early encouragement that helped introduce the teenage guitarist and songwriter to Music Row circles.

His real breakthrough came after Scott Borchetta heard him at CMA Fest in 2018. Borchetta requested recordings, leading to a contract with Big Machine Records when Smith was only 19. Teaming with producer James Stroud, he prepared his self-titled debut EP, issued in October 2019 and filled exclusively with originals he co-wrote alongside other songwriters. The project spotlighted the polished, soulful track "Like I Knew You Would" and the reflective country-rock number "92." Early in 2020 he issued the digital singles "Ready Set Summer" and "Creek Don't Rise," then joined Chris Young on tour for the remainder of the year.