A recording artist knows his brand recognition works when scalpers charge close to five times the original ticket prices.
Just this week, scalpers on Kijiji were asking anywhere from $200 to $400 for tickets to Dallas Smith’s sold out concert tonight at Servus Credit Union Place. Original ticket prices ranged from $45 to $65.
The award-winning country artist launched a cross-Canada, 22-stop tour on Jan. 15 that stretches from Fredericton to Vancouver for Lifted, his second full-length release.
The 11-track received extra support in January after the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences nominated it for a Juno Award as Country Music Album of the Year.
Once known as the lead singer of the platinum selling grunge rock band Default, Smith has spent the better part of the last decade rebranding himself as one of Canada’s best-selling country newcomers.
The shift from Default’s more aggressive stylings occurred after Smith realized that as he matured and became a family man, his personal life didn’t always mesh with the four-piece band’s material. The days of crap relationships that turned into easy songs had disappeared.
Although he sports full sleeve arm tattoos instead of a cowboy hat, and has the bad boy girl-beware swagger, his music is punchy, polished and an authentic reflection of his artistic convictions.
“You’ve got to be true to the music you put out and make songs that are not just a fad. You have to make a record you believe in. If you try to fake the sound, that’s when you get into trouble,” said Smith.
With a string of CCMAs and Juno nominations, it’s no surprise that close to 70 per cent of the country star’s tour is a sell-out. His latest single Wastin’ Gas claimed the top spot on country radio in the Nielsen BDS charts for two weeks topping American singers Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton and Eric Church.
“Not many Canadian country artists get to No. 1 on radio. It’s very few and far in between and I’m the first Canadian since Terri Clark,” said Smith. Clark charted several consecutive weeks in 1998 for You’re Easy on the Eyes.”
Producer and long-time friend Joey Moi, who also produced the country star’s first solo album Jump Right In, helped Smith jettison his grunge baggage and make a comfortable transition to the Nashville country scene.
Not only is the Nashville way of writing songs different, but in comparison to Smith’s previous country tunes, Lifted practically vibrates with an infectious party energy.
“It’s more dynamic. The sound allows me to emote more. The production is modern, but we’re using more traditional instruments. This lets us be more creative and we can create a bigger palette and add more colours.”
Having recorded numerous CDs throughout a rollercoaster career, Smith opted to take his time over a two-year period to complete Lifted.
“At the end of the day I wanted to create an album that was the greatest hits. That’s why it took so long to record.”
Today he’s a man on top of the world.
“It’s good to bring songs to life. Everything is coming together and I couldn’t ask for more.”
