The leap from rodeo bullfighter to country music singer may not be as vast as you think. Lane Smith was raised in Branch Springs, Texas, just north of San Antonio. The tough, unpredictable nature of rodeo culture mirrors the challenges of building a country music career from the ground up. He soon realized he couldn't be a bullfighter forever.

Country music and rodeo go hand in hand, with concerts following most rodeos. Smith saw them and thought, "I really want to be an artist."

At age 16, he picked up a guitar, and by age 17, he started writing songs and singing. Smith would do both bullfighting and performing for a few years, but by age 24, he began traveling to Nashville and taking music more seriously.

In 2018, Smith put out an EP, and in 2023, he released his debut self-titled album, with singles earning more than a million plays on all platforms. With his hit song "Clear Your Mind," which he co-wrote, he reminds me of a good mix between Parker McCollum and Cody Johnson, currently two of country music's biggest stars.

Lane Smith is paving a promising path for himself, already crossing off a few of his bucket-list venues, including the legendary Gruene Hall, along with supporting slots with artists like Kyle Park, Matt Stell, Colt Ford, and Chase Matthews, to name just a few.

Smith's latest album, Austin, will captivate audiences with its heartfelt lyrics and rustic charm. While only about 50% of the songs are about him per se, 100% of the tunes will resonate deeply with old and new fans. The album is a "step left of mainstream country,' mainly due to influences from the Texas music scene, Nashville, and the pop world.

In the title track, "Austin," Smith recalls meeting someone for the first time, how good it was, and how he wishes he could go back there figuratively and literally. "I had this chord progression and just took off with it," he shared. He wrote the song sitting on a couch, and it's his favorite off the record.

The songs "Good Thing Goin'" and "I Bought A Ring" are two songs where you think the lyrics go one way but go the opposite direction. With "Good Thing Goin'," everything looks good to the outside world, but in reality, things are not working out.

With "I Bought A Ring," she gave him the finger, but not the one he was looking for. Neither of these songs is about Smith (he is happily married), but many will be able to relate to a relationship that didn't work out.

Smith knows heartbreak songs are the most relatable. "Some of the biggest songs in the world are love songs, but they're few and far between. It's tough to get that mentality out of a love song," he explained.

The song "Pieces" is the closest you will get to a love song for Smith's new album, Austin. The song is about staying true regardless of the circumstances. The melody builds as he proclaims, "When the house is burning down, I'll still love you in pieces."

"Bleed" is about the brutal end of a relationship told from the guy's perspective. The song is gripping and honest, just the way Smith likes it. "I wrote the song how I'd want to hear it, and how I want to hear it is exactly like it would be said," he stated.

One of my favorite songs on the record is "Ran Out of Road." It's an anthem about a love that must come to an end because they are simply too young. Most have experienced this firsthand. The well-written song paints a vivid mental picture to which many will relate.

A song with a more modern country sound is "Slow Burn." The song is about the inevitable end of a relationship. "Even if you do leave me, make it a slow burn because I don't want you to just go away," Smith said.

While Smith is married, he recalls the tough scene of the dating world. "Red Lights" is about how the green light is bad and the red light is good. The person is protecting their heart because they have been hurt in the past.

Another song that many will understand is "Déjà Vu." When you are trying to move on, but the person you are with reminds you of your ex, and no matter what, you can't get past it. Smith clarified, "Like you're great, but you remind me of who I'm really in love with."

The idea for the "Stone Cold Sober" title came before the lyrics were created. The song is about a guy who can't come to grips with the mess he's gotten into, and then it hits him. Smith explained, "There's going to be some major changes that need to happen if things are going to work out for the dude."

The album concludes with an acoustic version of the title track, "Austin." That rendering really highlights his vulnerable, pitch-perfect vocals, proving Smith was meant to hang with the other great country male performers.

Lane Smith's Austin is a collection of relationship songs told from the guy's point of view. While they may not be about him per se, they are true for many of the songwriters who co-wrote the songs. And those songwriters were smart enough to let Smith record them because they knew his delivery would be spot-on.

He concluded, "Austin represents the artistry I hope to bring to the world. By melding together so many of my influences, including country, rock, pop, and alternative music, I truly feel we have established a unique space within the contemporary country marketplace. I'm so grateful to the fans who continue to stream previously released singles from the project, and I can't wait to share some new music with y'all!"

You can follow Lane Smith on his website, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and all streaming services.   

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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.

AUSTIN Track Listing
  1. Austin
  2. Good Thing Goin'
  3. Pieces
  4. Bleed
  5. I Bought a Ring
  6. Ran Out of Road
  7. Slow Burn
  8. Red Lights
  9. Déjà Vu
  10. Stone Cold Sober
  11. Austin - Acoustic