Olivia Smiley
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Olivia Smiley

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"CD Review"

September 2006
cd reviews

Olivia Smiley, Olivia Smiley
Self-released, olivia@smileyfarms.net , playing time 44:30
It is always a joy when accomplished young musicians select bluegrass as a venue to display their talents. Olivia Smiley, with the release of her self titled CD, displays her amazing talents as a vocalist, musician, and songwriter. Her fiddle talents have earned her both the Kentucky and Ohio State Fiddle Champions, the Indiana State Championship (twice), and second place at the prestigious National Walnut Valley Festival (also two times). Olivia’s self-titled CD is a “must hear” recording for all bluegrass fans.
Olivia wrote 22 of the songs on her debut recording and the lyrics cover a wide range of themes and emotions. In fact they display maturity and insight which belie her youth. Some, like “You Made My Day” and “Main Street”, are lighthearted and uplifting which belie her youth. Some, like “Windy Day” and “A Soldier’s Lullaby” will remind you why there’s a blue in bluegrass. “Long Walk to Richmond” has the feel of an old standard while “Without a Doubt” is refreshingly progressive. The song selection and placement make this recording a complete and cohesive project.
The strength and beauty of Olivia’s vocal work is most pleasing. Listening to “Mine Alone”, and “She’ll Carry On” illustrate her enormous depth and range. As impressive as her fiddling and song writing skills might be, her voice is her strongest asset.
The talented musicians who assist Olivia on this project are Michael Cleveland (mandolin and vocal harmony), Jeff Guernsey (guitar and vocal), Brian Leaver (banjo), and Lauren Guernsey (bass). Talk about a strong support group! Instrumentation is excellent on every song.
This talented musician has a very bright future and will most likely reward us with years of outstanding music! LM

Reprinted by permission Bluegrass Now Magazine www.bluegrassnow.com
Larry Mullen is a contributing writer for Bluegrass Now Magazine
- Bluegrass Now Magazine


"CD Review"

November December 2006

OLIVIA SMILEY
By ROBERT STEELMAN

I’ll cut to the chase. Get this one! Newcomer Olivia Smiley has burst onto the bluegrass scene in a big way with this self-titled debut album. Still in her teens, she demonstrates a talent as fiddler/singer/songwriter that should be the envy of many in the music business. As a 14 year old, Olivia caught the eye - and ear - of Jeff Guernsey, who produced this project and provided the guitar work. She gets some good backing from Michael Cleveland on mandolin, Brian Leaver on banjo and Lauren Guernsey on bass. Meredith Needham provides harmony vocals. The music is varied but tasteful, ranging from the bouncy Don’t You Love Me Like That to the relaxed Mine Alone. There’s also a nice, rousing instrumental version of Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down. Other songs include Windy Day, Without A Doubt, Beside You In Your Heart, You Made My Day, Long Walk To Richmond, A Soldier’s Lullaby, Road Trip, She’ll Carry On and Lady Be Good.
BMP
Reproduced with permission by Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine
Nov-Dec 2006 Issue
www.bluegrassmusicprofiles.com
©Bluegrass Music Profiles 2006 All Rights Reserved
- Bluegrass Music Profiles


"CD Review"

June 2006 Issue

OLIVIA SMILEY
No Label
No Number
Although still in her teens, fiddler and vocalist Olivia Smiley has accomplished more in just a few years than most artists experience throughout their entire career. Besides being a superb fiddler and dynamic lead vocalist, she has won numerous awards at various music and fiddle contests throughout the country.

This self-titled compact disc is her first solo recording and proves to be the perfect vehicle for showcasing her multiple talents. For this endeavor, she is accompanied by several accomplished musicians including the compact disc's producer, Jeff Guernsey (guitar and vocals), Brian Leaver (banjo), Lauren Guernsey (bass) and Meredith Needham (harmony vocals). Guest Michael Cleveland who provides some soulful mandolin playing throughout the 13 tracks.

The majority of the selections are well-crafted originals of Miss Smiley. The two exceptions are instrumental arrangements of "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" and the Gershwin swing classic "Lady Be Good." Most of the lead vocals are handled by Olivia, except on "Long Walk To Richmond" performed by Jeff Guernsey. Just a few of the highlights featured in this remarkable collection include "Windy Day," the stirring ballad "Mine Alone," "A Soldier's Lullaby," "Road Trip," and the bluesy "Don't You Love Me Like That." The contents of this impressive body of music clearly establishes Olivia Smiley as one of the most promising bluegrass musicians among today's youth, and it is going to be an exhilarating experience to follow the progress of her career in the years ahead. (Olivia Smiley, P.O. Box 263, Greensburg, IN 47240, e-mail: olivia@smileyfarms.net) LM

Reprinted by permission Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, 1-800-BLU-GRAS, www.bluegrassmusic.com.
Copyright June 2006. All rights reserved.
Les McIntyre is a contributing writer for Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine.

- Bluegrass Unlimited


Discography

2005 release of self titled cd "Olivia Smiley".
Available on itunes & CD Baby
Live show samples on audio page.

Photos

Bio

Olivia Smiley, an accomplished fiddler/singer/songwriter, has been competing in fiddle contests throughout the Midwest since she was a 12-year-old, and at age 14 fell in love with the traditional sounds of bluegrass music. For the past four years, she has been a member of bluegrass bands in Indiana and Kentucky.
This 19-year-old has already obtained the acclaimed titles of Kentucky State Fiddle Champion and Governor’s Cup Winner twice and has been the Ohio State Fiddle Champion two times. In addition, she is also the Indiana State Champion and Governor’s Cup Winner, three-time winner of the Indiana State Fair, and was the runner-up at the prestigious Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, two times. Most recently, Olivia was a top-ten finalist in the 2007 Grand Masters Fiddle Championship, in Nashville, Tennessee for the second consecutive year.
Growing up on a farm in Southeastern Indiana, Olivia was lucky enough to discover her love of music at a young age, and it has since become a major part of her life. A classically trained musician, she enjoys many styles of music but finds bluegrass to be her passion. Distinguished musicians, and some of her greatest influences, joined Olivia on her first solo project in 2005 which was received with rave reviews. Playing bluegrass music has allowed Olivia the opportunity to play many wonderful venues. She has graced the Bean Blossom stage with legendary fiddler Kenny Baker, the IBMA and MACC festival stages with Larry Sparks, been a featured fiddler at the 2004 Walnut Valley Acoustic Kids Showcase in Winfield, Kansas. She performed in concert for the American String Teacher’s Association National Conference after being awarded an Alternative Styles Award and her band performed on Louisville’s WHAS TV Crusade for Children telecast.
Olivia Smiley and her band have entertained crowds at Bean Blossom, Corydon, Indiana’s Bluegrass On The Square and the Indiana State Fair and are now booking dates for upcoming festivals. Joining Olivia on guitar is Jeff Guernsey, Danny Wert on mandolin, Klint Brown on banjo and Kolin Brown on bass. These great musicians have come together from around Indiana to perform as a new up-coming group. They always put on a tight, well-rehearsed show.

Olivia Smiley and her band are now booking dates for upcoming festivals.
Their fresh sound has already begun to capture the attention of all listeners.

www.oliviasmiley.com
www.myspace.com/oliviasmiley