Stuart Smith

Happy Thanksgiving from our family. Hope today and this season finds you with peace and gratitude for all the good things in your life, both big and small.

Mark Baier with Victoria Amplifiers makes amps for a lot of famous guitarists (John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards) and…. I’m not one of them. But Mark is a real one and has always been so cool with me.

Last night, he spent two hours with me before my show disassembling, modifying, and tweaking my amp to do everything I need. This is one reason why buying American matters. These aren’t manufactured on an assembly line cutting corners to meet a price point. They’re meticulously crafted with all made in USA parts in my home state by someone who truly gives a damn. There’s some soul here and most importantly, TONE.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve owned many of his amps and, while I’ll try other amps occasionally, I always come back to Victoria.

Life lately. A fall full of playing some shows, time with family and friends, watching my kids do all the sports, and somehow coming to grips with my son going to college next year.

Today is the day!! NPR and The Lovelorn’s New Soil Festival is happening at Boondocks in Springfield. Bands start at 2pm and go until 11pm. The Lovelorn go on at 9, but there’s tons of music and vendors happening all day. Excited to play for you all!

So earlier this year I started playing guitar for The Lovelorn and it’s been amazing. Good musicians, good guys, and I’ve loved just getting to play guitar and stretch out there. We haven’t played around here much, so for those of you who’ve asked- this is the one to catch. NPR and The Lovelorn have put together a day full of great bands, cool vendors, and even one of my dearest friends, Tom Irwin, all in a fantastic venue- Boondocks in Springfield. You can get tickets ahead of time (highly recommend) at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/64232389/new-soil-music-festival-springfield-boondocks-pub?fbclid=PAZnRzaANakWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp2rfYCXZjMEC8qh0mgPskcVMtfovdBT59VNiRdh2o9dwsccVhjKmfmAuxn6c_aem_YVhzmj0P99hMR6ZFX23-ow

Senior Homecoming for Charlie and Myah. Seems like yesterday these two were just walking into kindergarten. Both have grown into truly great kids. I’m pretty sure their moms manifested this.

Catching up with summer of 2025. A lot of traveling, dance competitions, birthdays, beach days, making music, pool days, family time, college, and a beautiful combination of firsts and lasts.

Every couple years, I play the Wi******er Music In The Park series as a fundraiser for our concerts. It’s always an opportunity to try something different. I’m playing this Thursday, July 17th, at 7pm and I’m going to do something I’ve never before- ALL COVERS. No originals, though I’ll probably still make the covers sound sad. Drop some requests in the comments or DM me and come see what happens on Thursday.

Yesterday was full of water parks, go cart riding, and eating his favorite foods to celebrate the best boy turning 17. As amazed as we are at how quick the years flew by, Wendy and I are most amazed at what a good young man he’s turned into. He gives his all at everything he does, has a great work ethic, has never met a stranger, is a thoughtful brother and boyfriend, and the important things in life are what matter to him. He’s also taller than me now, but don’t tell him.😂

Happy birthday, Charlie. You are so loved.

Lately…
Charlie’s first prom, Violet’s dance recitals, and finally taking the kids to California to do all things L.A. and to stay in our favorite little town in the whole world, Ojai. I’ve been to and played in California more than I can count but seeing it through my kids eyes reminded me of the wonder of being there for the first time. They loved it and we got to soak up all the time together in the this place we love with the people we love.

She is everything that is good and beautiful in our world and, for anyone in her orbit, she is the easiest person to celebrate. Her birthday is a reminder of how lucky I am to have her in my life and to witness first hand the magic she creates all around her. Happy Birthday, Wendy! 🎉

Popping on here to let you know I’m gonna tune up the wire to go play some songs at Hand Of Fate in Petersburg, IL tonight at 7pm. It’s been a minute, but I hope you all are well.