Stephanie Smith Update

On the heels of her Not Afraid debut release (December 23rd), Gotee’s pop-rocker Stephanie Smith is keeping a whirlwind schedule that includes a recent missions trip to El Salvador with Compassion International, and her latest role as official correspondent for Winter Jam 2009.

On a Compassion International trip to El Salvador for four days earlier this month, Smith spent time visiting three different projects and getting to know the children there. She also had the opportunity for a first time meeting with her own sponsored child Mariela (photo attached).

Smith says of Compassion’s ministry, “Kids are identifying dreams that would otherwise go unnoticed and Compassion is helping them to identify those areas. I got to hear stories and learn how the children’s dependency was totally on God. It was amazing to see up close both the younger kids beginning the process and then the older kids who had reaped the long-term effects of the ministry.”

As the official tour correspondent for upcoming Winter Jam, Smith will conduct exclusive interviews and grab candid, behind-the-scenes footage with artists that are available to fans online www.hearitfirst.com/jamtour and at www.godtube.com. The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual musical tour, features tobyMac at the helm, along with special guests Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath, The Afters, and of course 24-year old Smith. The 10-week tour kicks off January 8th and lasts through the March 15th final show in Nashville, TN.

On the marketing front, Stephanie Smith’s new radio single, “In My Eyes” is currently #28 at Rock radio and climbing. This is Smith’s fourth radio single that has included other hits “Superstar,” “Not Afraid,” and “Renew Me.” Her first music video for the title track was just released to the TV and video show circuit with current viewing on the Pulse TV Rock channel (Video On Demand service) alongside of videos from Coldplay, Pink, Weezer, The Killers, as well as on their Christian Channel.

Along with her musical debut Not Afraid, Stephanie Smith’s whirlwind year has included the release of her first book, Crossroads: The Teenage Girl's Guide to Emotional Wounds (Zondervan/Youth Specialties) which chronicles her journey towards choosing forgiveness and compassion over bitterness and despair. She also continues to work with the non-profit organization Soles4Souls (www.souls4souls.org). On the performance front, Smith has graced the stage at music festivals such as Rockfest, Ichthus, AtlantaFest, Music in the Park, Kingdom Bound, and Riverstages, as well as a return to Agape Fest, the original arena that lead her to meeting tobyMac and eventually signing a deal with Gotee Records. Smith has also performed as part of various conferences that have included Feedback Conferences, Secret Keeper Girl Tour, Pure Freedom, the Asphalt Assault Tour, One Life of VA and the Freedom Experience. In addition, she joined illusionist Brock Gill as part of the Florida-based SuperWow Camps, where nearly 350 individual youth groups attended weekly.

Read our interview with Stephanie!

Stephanie Smith's "Not Afraid" streets May 27th

Gotee’s pop-rocker Stephanie Smith is gearing up for the debut of Not Afraid this May 27th with rave reviews, major touring, and a new radio single “Renew Me” opening the doors for both her music and message. The release will be available exclusively on iTunes.com and at Smith’s concert dates.

This past weekend, the 24-year old Smith returned to perform at Agape Fest, the original stage that lead her to meeting TobyMac and eventually signing a deal with Gotee Records. Smith was the 2006 winner of her alma mater Greenville College’s talent search, which in return gave her the Agape Fest slot that originally caught Toby’s ear.

2008 is packed out with touring as Smith makes the festival rounds, as well as additional tour dates. Fans can catch performances at Rockfest (6/7), Ichthus Festival (6/12), AtlantaFest (6/21), Music in the Park (7/27), Kingdom Bound Festival (8/4), and Riverstages (9/20 San Angelo TX). Smith is also part of various conferences this year that include One Life of VA (10/20 Vansant, VA), Feedback Conferences (5/22-25 Asheville NC and 8/21-24 Dallas, TX), Secret Keeper Girl Tour (May and August runs www.purefreedom.org), Freedom Experience (various dates Aug-Nov. www.verticalministries.com), and the Asphalt Assault Tour (9/1-20 www.verticalministries.com). She will also join illusionist Brock Gill as part of the Florida-based SuperWow Camps, where nearly 350 individual youth groups attend each week.

Cmcentral.com highlights Not Afraid in a recent review that says, “Opening strong, moments of electronic whomping foretell an edgy momentum… Smith’s fierce vocals lay out restorative encouragement to those uncertain of their own worth.”

The song “Superstar”, also on the debut album release, is also currently being used as part of world-renowned surfer Bethany Hamilton’s GodTube video found at http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ebad92285b39141e40d9 .

Smith, who has a passion for reaching the youth culture, comments, "This is such an exciting time in my life; I don't want to take that for granted."

Stephanie Smith Partners with Soles4Souls

Stephanie Smith, Gotee Records’ up-and-coming female pop-rocker, performed her hit song “Superstar” as part of a Soles4Souls shoe donation at The Tennessee School For The Blind.
Soles4Souls staff was on hand to fit each student of the Tennessee School for the Blind (115 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville) with their new pairs of shoes. This is part of a month-long series of donations that will include 25 locations across the U.S. with over 25,000 pairs of new shoes to be given to those in need during this Holiday season.

23-year old Stephanie Smith is already turning heads with an early introduction to her forthcoming debut album Not Afraid by Stephanie Smith, slated for an early 2008 street date. At radio, the first two singles “Superstar” and “Not Afraid” are gaining momentum with growing support weekly. “Superstar” is also available online at the iTunes store. Fans can download the song for $.99 by clicking the link below.



Smith, who has a passion for reaching the youth culture, is also actively involved with the Pure Freedom conferences (www.purefreedom.com) and the Secret Keeper Girl Tours, founded by top-selling youth author Dannah Gresh (And The Bride Wore White/Moody).

"This is such an exciting time in my life; I don't want to take that for granted,” asserts Smith who will be partnering with Soles4Souls through her live concert ticket sales and merchandise sales.