User:Garth Smith - LDS Musician
Garth W. Smith is an LDS musician/pianist who specializes in original arrangements of LDS hymns on the piano.
Garth was born in Brigham City, Utah (USA) on June 8, 1960. He lived in Huntsville, Alabama (USA) from 1988-1996. He currently resides in Southern California (USA). Garth began his classical musical training on the piano at age 5. Garth says in his bio found on his web page www.garthsmithmusic.com, "Melodies and composing are both something that have come very natural to me. In fact, when I was only three years old, my mother tells me that I would stand at the piano and pick out Primary song melodies." He studied classical piano under Lucille Lawson for many years and has been performing as a piano soloist from the age of 8.
Garth has been a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association, ASCAP, and the California Country Music Association. In 1999, he won the CCMA "Song of the Year" with the song "Last Call". He has performed as a keyboardist in jazz, rock, and country bands.
On March 1, 2014, Garth released his first commercial CD titled "Sacred Hymns Arranged and Performed on the Piano by Garth Smith". The CD is a collection of 10 original arrangements of familiar LDS hymns, and includes one medley titled "Missionary Medley".
According to Garth, "Every hymn on Sacred Hymns is an original arrangement, prayerfully considered, and performed with love for my audience. I hope you feel my testimony of Christ in each performance. I wholeheartedly believe that these sacred hymns can enhance your Sabbath experience, drive-time to the temple, as well as any other time that you feel a need to 'escape' the world and listen to music that uplifts the soul."