Brent Smith

Brent Smith (born January 10, 1978) is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and one of the main songwriters of the rock band Shinedown.

Early life Brently Stephen Smith was born January 10, 1978, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Interview-based reporting from Noisecreep in 2010 states that Smith was an only child.

Career

Prior to fronting the rock band Shinedown, Smith was the lead singer in a band called Dreve. Eventually, Dreve got signed to Atlantic Records, with Smith and his bandmates traveling to Los Angeles, California, to record with well-known producer Desmond Child. Atlantic signed Smith to a developmental contract, with Smith needing to either find another band or lose his record deal.

Brad Stewart, the band's bassist, was the first member Smith recruited, through local Jacksonville music producer Pete Thornton. Smith and Stewart began recording demos together in a small local studio, whose owner recommended they meet with her fiancé, guitarist Jasin Todd, who Smith brought in as the third member. In 2010, Smith was featured on the Apocalyptica song, "Not Strong Enough" from the album 7th Symphony. In 2013, Smith was featured on the Halestorm "Here's to Us (Guest Version)". In 2014, Smith collaborated with In This Moment on the song, "Sexual Hallucination", from the album, Black Widow. In 2014, Smith and Zach Myers started an acoustic side project called Smith & Myers. As a duo they have released three EPs: Acoustic Sessions (2014), Volume I (2020), and Volume II (2020). Shinedown has since released seven more studio albums: Us and Them (2005), The Sound of Madness (2008), Amaryllis (2012), Threat to Survival (2015), Attention Attention (2018), Planet Zero (2022), and Eight (2026). On August 28, 2022, Smith was presented with a key to Knox County at a concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, by former wrestler and current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. In 2014, Smith and Zach Myers started an acoustic side project called Smith & Myers. Smith struggled with drugs and alcohol managing his weight.

Discography

Shinedown

Leave a Whisper (2003) Us and Them (2005) The Sound of Madness (2008) Amaryllis (2012) Threat to Survival (2015) Attention Attention (2018) Planet Zero (2022) Eight (2026)

Smith & Myers Acoustic Sessions (2014) Volume I (2020) Volume II (2020)

Guest appearances

Artist Song Album Year Ref.Daughtry"There and Back Again"Daughtry2006 Saliva"Don't Question My Heart (feat. Brent Smith)"WWE The Music, Vol. 82008 Saliva "My Own Worst Enemy (feat. Brent Smith)"Cinco Diablo2008 Apocalyptica"Not Strong Enough (feat. Brent Smith)"7th Symphony2010 Lynyrd Skynyrd"Simple Man (feat. Brent Smith) (live)"Celebrating 50 Years - Live at the Ryman2025