Fred recently toured in the US and received rave revues from critics like Bruce Elder in the Sydney Morning Herald “Smith is a superb songwriter with a wry sense of humour and a wonderful eye for the idiosyncrasies of modern life” Songwriter Fred Smith has returned to launch his new CD Texas.

Fred brings his usual humour and insight to Texas.

“The natural Australian response to America is to take the piss,” says Fred, and many of the songs on the CD are funny, but there are others that deal more seriously with the dark sides of modern America touching on subjects from Iraq to Barak.

“Touring is a wonderful way to meet another culture- out of the tourist zone and staying with people in their homes you get a real feel for their lives. Whatever you might say of Americans they are generous in hospitality and really embrace life.

“I played a huge range of venues from large festivals to Quaker meeting houses. On my last tour I played 12 house concerts in two weeks through Alberta, Canada,” Mr Smith said.

Texas is Smith’s fifth full CD and second travelogue album, and reflects his gift for capturing the essence of a time and place in song. His award winning Bagarap Empires CD related the experiences of people living through the crises in Bougainville and Solomon Islands where Smith lived between 1999 and 2003.

“I keep my eyes and ears very open to the world around me, which drives me mad sometimes but has its uses. I absorb experience and turn it into songs. I don’t know why it happens, it’s just my way of processing things.”

In January Smith settled back into his Canberra home and aims to keep touring Australia and America over the next few years.

“America is an amazing place and there are so many opportunities, but in the end you start thinking about where you want to build a life, and I’m happy to be back in Australia!”

For more information about Fred Smith’s upcoming performance contact taste Canowindra on 02 6344 2332.