Lydia Manuel Music

Although inspired early on by the heartfelt poets, songwriters and folk singers of the '70's, Lydia Smith is the songwriter that almost wasn’t.

"My father was an avid music lover, and was usually humming, albeit badly and off key. He had an extensive and eclectic record collection and listened to and exposed us (his three daughters) to everything from Roger Miller, Marty Robbins, Sergio Mendez, and Smokey Robinson, to world music and the soundtrack from Camelot. My Mom's sister Annette, whose real life rivaled the most heartbreaking of country songs, was a big fan of classic country music, so through her I was exposed to Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Conway Twitty, as well as a host of others on the radio at the time. She almost always had the radio on in her car, in the kitchen, anywhere she happened to be. She knew most every word in every song by heart, and usually sang along with her favorites. However, in my family music wasn't something you did, it was simply something to listen to, a way to relax; background music if you will. So despite music’s siren call, despite being smitten with everything music related, and smitten with a love of words and lyrics, it was only once I was actually living in Nashville that I was able to embrace the fact that I was a songwriter."

Residing in Nashville, a town rife with history and music culture, she continues to hone her craft and perform along side her musical heroes in the town nicknamed 'Music City'. Lydia is also among a select few Nashville based songwriters selected by Emmy nominated director Stacey K. Black, to film for her documentary "Send My Mail to Nashville", and has performed at numerous world famous venues, including Douglas Corner Cafe, The Commodore Grille, and the legendary Bluebird Café. She also plans to record and release an album of original material later this year.

In her free time, she pursues her hobbies, which include photography, bird watching, reading, and refinishing thrift store furniture. Despite being gregarious, Lydia is a true introvert, and prefers spending the majority of her time out in nature with her best friend, "Oreo the Wonder Dog".