This song is a tribute to loved ones who have lost family members from Alzheimers/Dementia. They slowly saw them become withdrawn and eventually losing contact with those around them.  This  is being experienced in the tens of thousands. I asked my cousins to send me photos and give permission to post their images. Left is my late Aunt Faith Jackson who was an educator, mother and a role model for me.  On the right my late Aunt Millie Jackson from Puerto Rico who welcomed me on a visit in 1974. Later moves to USA and was the proud wife of my uncle Professional baseball World series star Grant Jackson. My co-writer Ella Shafer had some lyrics  and I added some music and lyrics to write a song to honor her mother in law . Mom Shafer who lost her live to this dreaded disease.  We want to share their stories. Peace&love to all. Let's find a cure ! Thanks to Russ Reiter for his production and musician skills to bring the finishing touches to this anthem for all affected worldwide. Prayers for all.

PAUL - MILES - HER - SMILE

Grant Maloy Smith on the Beth Williams Indie Americana Songwriter Show

A 90s-inspired anthem about emotional shutdown and the modern epidemic of ghosting, be it friend or lover. With a punchy beat and biting lyrics, this track captures the frustration of trying to connect with someone who’s learned to shut everything down. It's a breakup bop for the emotionally unavailable.

Mr. Compartmentalize

I did not see this as a premonition of what was to come. I wrote this song and created the video before that fateful day, April 16th, 2025, would take my beloved Lisa.

WHISPERS STILL

The first single that will be on my solo release. Which will be on digital platforms this Sunday. Mark Lanoue (Guitars, Vocals), Tony Providence (DRUMS), Larry Hart (Bass Guitar), Scott Campbell (Keys, 12-string Guitar).

It is a song about one's significant other, one's soul mate, who passes before the other, but the one who remains on the earth still feels the presence of the other. And still longs for that love that has moved on to another plane of spiritual existence, yet continues a bond through love, life, and the afterlife.

Recently, I was told that I had to prepare for the love of my life to pass, and it was crushing me to my very core. She has been with me most of my existence on this earth. This is a reality that many will face at some point. Our faith is what, ultimately, keeps us strong even in the weakest of moments. Since that unforgettable delivery of sad news, the worst news of my life came as my beautiful Lisa was taken from me.

I wrote this song before all of this occurred. But the reality hit home, and the whole premise of the song took a direction that I believe applies to us all.

To my love, my soul mate, my best friend, and my bride... Fly with the angels my love and thank you for being my angel on this earth for as long as the Lord allowed.

Whispers Still

Music inspired by the great musical works with the same title by Mozart and Schubert, FANTASY has multiple themes contained within a single movement.  Composed in 2020, after four months of isolation at home in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I was sorely in need of fantasy. Reality had been too depressing. This music helped to lift my spirits. As music does, it arrived from and sings to another more hopeful place.

Fantasy for Piano and String Orchestra

"Dreams and Wings" evokes a powerful metaphor for aspiration and the pursuit of freedom. Dreams represent our deepest desire to love and live freely, with visions that drive us forward, while wings symbolize the means to lift up those we love unselfishly, and watch those we cherish  achieve their dreams. We do not lose our love as we may fly a different path, as love always returns when it is true and kind.  

Dreams and Wings

Off my upcoming CD "Reminiscence", meet "2Funk" featuring yours truly on guitar.  This has amazing production thanks to Jeff Silverman who produced this with me.  Enjoy the killer bass by the world renowned Gary Grainger on this instrumental remake of a co-write I originally did with Elisa Fiorillo Dease.  This is Jazz Funk Fusion at it's best and also features the incredible horn skills/arrangement of Roy Agee of the NPG.

Reminiscence

2Funk

"I Reckon"
© words and music Grant Maloy Smith
Produced by Chuck Ebert and Grant Maloy Smith
Recorded at OmniSound and Prime Recording studios in Nashville.
Steel guitar recorded at The Cabin Studio, Azle, Texas
Vocals recorded at Suburban Cowboy Studio, South Kingstown, RI
Mixed and Mastered by Jeff Silverman at Palette Studios MSP, Nashville.

Players:
Wayne Killius – Drums
Jimmy Carter - Bass
Jerry McPherson - Electric Guitar
Carl Miner - Acoustic Guitar & Mandolin
Mike Rojas - Piano/B3
Mitchell Smithey - Pedal Steel Guitar

I did my homework every night
I been to college once or twice
Still, I ain’t the sharpest knife in the kitchen drawer
Every time I went astray
I always heard my daddy say:
“Boy, you can’t forget the work that  you were put here for...

Wiser men than me should preach
Still, I got something I can teach
These are things that I’ve found
I’m just passing them on down...

There’s a kinder word to say
A better way to pray
I reckon
There’s hope in every smile
Love in every child
I reckon
The higher up you climb
The bigger hills you find
I reckon
This is what my daddy said
I reckon"

I got a job and I bought a truck
I found a girl who shook me up
We turned those bricks
into a loving home

Bills come, babies cry
We make up after every fight
My dad says “Life ain’t like a TV show”

Chorus

We’ve got a boy, he’s twenty three
He finally opened up to me
He told me, “dad, I need a word or two”

I had faith but I turned it in
I lie awake and wonder what to

I reckon
I reckon
The higher up you climb
The bigger hills you find
I reckon
This is what my daddy said
I reckon
It's what my daddy said
I reckon

Our Country, Vol. I

I Reckon

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Janis Ian and Trevor Sewell duet on the Sewell composition - also features on the Calling Nashville album. Janis Ian: Lead Vocal and Piano arrangement - Trevor Sewell Lead Vocal Guitar - Trevor Brewis Drums - Sean O Bryan Smith - Upright Bass

Calling Nashville

Fade to grey - feat: Janis Ian

Grant Maloy Smith is a Billboard Top 10 American Roots Singer/Songwriter with a country bent. He has performed twice at Carnegie Hall, but he is equally at home in a 50-seat listening room. His songs tell heartfelt stories about real people and are unfailingly optimistic and forward-looking. His album, "Dust Bowl - American Stories," earned rave reviews, including one from NO DEPRESSION, the bible of American Roots music. “Grant’s ability to capture the heartland in his music is amazing ... he has written A heartland masterpiece ... lyrics and music as potent as Woody Guthrie ... sent chills down my spine ... bound to become a classic ... A reminder of the darker period of Bob Dylan, and it’s that good, that memorable...” Grant is a member of the CMA and AMA, and his music is distributed by Sony Orchard.

I Reckon

Grant Maloy Smith

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