Smith and band to headline New York music industry gig

Renowned Navan bluesman Paddy Smith is heading back to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Smith has been invited to headline a private music industry gig in New York this Tuesday the 9th June.

The event is being hosted by the Tribeca Records and Soho Record labels ensuring many of the industries biggest operators will be in attendance at the event.

Smith will perform some of the songs he crafted himself as well as classic blues numbers written by some of the masters of the genre.

In many ways Smith is returning to familiar territory. Some years ago he recorded an album in the city that never sleeps called 'Live in New York' that contained brilliant contributions from Smith and his band made up of renowned musicians Lincoln Schleifer (bass, vocals), Chris Carter (guitar, vocals) and Anthony Lewis (Drums).

It is expected that all three will once more join Smith on stage for the big industry show.

According to the Tribeca Records mission statement their aim is to boost the careers of emerging artists as well as established performers and composers such as Smith.

“We work with young artists to advise, build and grow their careers in all areas. At the same time, we assist legacy artists in curating their image while building relevancy in today’s marketplace,” the statement reads.

Chapters from his own life have long inspired the Navan bluesman and widely renowned harmonica player who has had his battle with alcoholism in the past.

Those life experiences have provided the raw material for many of the songs he recorded to date, including those on an album he released last summer called Could Have Found Grace. The album contains seven original songs.

“It’s about my drinking in the wild days, when you look back on it, it’s a little late: ‘You could have found grace if you weren’t so blind,’ goes the song. It’s really about the passing of my daughter," he said at the time.

Paddy’s daughter Ciara sadly passed away in 2010 from cystic fibrosis. Ciara was only 17.

Now the renowned bluesman is returning to perform on the big stage in the Big Apple.