Michael Buffalo Smith

</noinclude>
Michael Buffalo Smith (b. June 24, 1957, Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a writer and musician who has been called "The Ambassdor of Southern Rock".
He began his career in music at the age of 21. Prior to that, he had always maintained an interest in music, and plunked around on an old guitar here and there, often going out to local venues to see The Marshall Tucker Band, a group that would heavily influence his work in the future. In 1981, he worked with a Spartanburg-based group called The Silver Travis Band as sound and lighting engineer, and as a songwriter. During the band's summer 1982 run at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Smith sat in on vocals with the band many times, and became hooked on performing.
While attending Spartanburg Methodist College in 1983, Smith joined forces with some friends to form The Buffalo Hut Coalition, performing all around the state on weekends until disbanding in 1989. The band would reform in 1991 with some personnel changes and perform for one more year.
Solo
Over the next few years, Buffalo would perform as a member of Frontline and other bands, before going solo in 1991. While acting as Editor in Chief of EDGE Magazine that year, Smith played countless acoustic solo gigs, often performing as a duet with a bass player or guitar player. In 1992, he recorded his first EP, called "Fairytales". It was at this time that Smith began freelance writing for national music magazines such as Goldmine, Mojo, Relix and others.
In 1996 Smith released his first full length CD, "Happy To Be Here" on the Dreaming Buffalo indie label. It was followed in 2000 by "Midwest Carolina Blues," on the Rockabilly Hall of Fame label, and recorded as a tribute to Nebraska rocker Bobby Lowell, who passed in October of that year. Smith continued to perform solo and with bands like Michael B and The Stingers.
Illness
In 1998, following a near death experience involving a bacterial infection and 40 days in the hospital, Smith founded the online magazine of Southern Rock, GRITZ (www.gritz.net) which he edited and published from 1999-2006.GRITZ brought Michael up close and personal with many of the rock and country stars he had always loved. In years to come, he would call many of them "friend", and would record and play live with everyone from The Charlie Daniels Band and The Marshall Tucker Band to Bobby Whitlock, Molly Hatchet, Bonnie Bramlett and more.
Today 2002 - 2009
In 2002, Buffalo recorded "Southern Lights" at Mill Kids Studio in Huntsville, Alabama, backed by The Crawlers and featuring guests Bonnie Bramlett, Tommy Crain, Pete Carr, John Wyker and more. The album received rave reviews around the globe, and in 2005 he recorded "Something Heavy" at the same studio with The Crawlers and guests George McCorkle, JoJo Billingsley, Pete Carr, Danny Hall, Jan Elkins, Larry Perkins and John Wyker. "Something Heavy", written by Eddie Hinton, received airplay on satellite radio, internet radio and regular radio, both in the USA and abroad. Just as the record was to be released, Ray Brand of The Crawlers died from complications caused by cancer. Ray had acted as co-producer, arranger, songwriter and slide guitar wizard. His death moved the official release date to April 2006.
Today Smith still appears solo as well as doing gigs with various bands. In late 2007, GRITZ merged with Swampland Media, creating a massive "field guide" to all things Southern. Smith continues to write the GRITZ blog for Swampland, as well as appear at Swampland functions.
Quotes
"Michael Buffalo Smith as a musician, writer, critic, and southern music historian really gets it. His taste and deep appreciation for the real thing are qualities that inspire all of us in his wake. And it's a big wake."
-Billy Bob Thornton
"The thing I like most about GRITZ is the honesty. The reason people read it is because of you, Buffalo. You know the history because you lived it, and you aren't always trying to work some "angle" during interviews. You just relax and have a conversation. I really like that. I am a big fan of GRITZ."
- Dickey Betts
"Michael Buffalo is the torch bearer for all of us. He is vital to our success."
-Bonnie Bramlett
"The preview of your CD sounds very good. I am looking forward to hearing the completed product. I especially enjoyed "Into the Light," and the duet with Bonnie. The instrumental is quite good as well. Great guitar players. There are parts of the album where the slide seems to posess a Duane (Allman) like quality. Very good work, Michael."
-Tom Dowd; Producer and Engineer
(The Allman Brothers, Derek & The Dominos, Lynyrd Skynyrd)
"We loved your CD Buff! I wanted to grab my Bible, a bucket of shrimp and head to a biker bar all at once! God bless you Buffalo, Bonnie and all the fine musicians on this session!"
-Gary and Dale Krantz Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
"Michael Buffalo Smith is a big guy with a big Southern heart who has taken up the torch for roots music. One listen to his record and a read through his magazine Gritz gives testimony to all our art."
-Richard Young, Kentucky Headhunters
"Leave it to my friend, Michael Buffalo Smith to put together another outstanding Southern CD with some of my old friends and classic pickers! Who could go wrong with Pete Carr (Duane's picked protégé), Bonnie Bramlett (Songbird Of The South), Johnny Wyker (The Vision), Tommy Crain (Hot Licks) and some of the best veteran players from The South? From "Into the Light" to "Buddha in a Swimming Pool" this will make you smell the magnolias and want a peach. True Southern playing from beginning to the end."I Don't Want To Say Goodbye" says it all for me. It all leaves me wanting more! "Ride On My Friend", ride on!"
-Alan Walden, Macon, Georgia (Legendary Macon Music Mogul)
"Just finished listening to your album and I want you to know how refreshing it is to me! I use the word "refreshing" because it takes me back to a time when music was fun and it takes me back to the day when musicians actually "jammed" in the studio. Like Eric & Duane playin' "Layla" together ya' know? Your songs on this album make a person feel like they're worth somethin' ... the lyrics are to the point and harmless at the same time. Fun and free. The listener can go as deep as they wanna' go or just "hop in the car and ride around on a Saturday night." It sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for, and it sounds like you know who to thank! Bein' an ol' "card carryin' guitar pickin' hippie" myself, it's good to hear great musicians "turned loose" in the studio. Of course it always helps to have songs that you can "free form" with. Songs are arrows ... songwriters are archers ... so ... in a word, BULL'S-EYE son!
Thanks so much Michael; this album gives us somethin' we can keep in our heart forever."
-Barry Lee Harwood (Rossington Collins Band)
----

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu