G. E. Smith
Encyclopedia
George Edward "G. E." Smith (born January 27, 1952, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
) is an American
guitarist
. He was the lead guitar
ist in the band Hall & Oates
and the musical director of Saturday Night Live
. Smith was lead guitarist of Bob Dylan
's touring band from June 7, 1988 to October 19, 1990. Smith also served as musical director of The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
for Bob Dylan
at Madison Square Garden
on October 16, 1992.
As a session player, Smith has performed and recorded with an exceptionally wide spectrum of influential artists. His own albums include In The World (1981), Get A Little (with the Saturday Night Live Band, 1993) and Incense, Herbs and Oils (1998). Smith was the lead guitarist for the band Moonalice
until December 2009. He was married to Gilda Radner
(1980–1982) and has been married to Taylor Barton since 1990.
. He started playing guitar at the age of 4. In 1959, at the age of 7, he was given a C. F. Martin
guitar. On his 11th birthday Smith's mother bought him his first electric guitar, a Fender Telecaster
, a model that dated to 1952, his birth year. By then he was already supporting himself as a musician, playing in numerous situations — such as Poconos
resorts, high school dances — often with musicians more than twice his age.
area, where he played in s group called the Scratch Band. In late 1977 Smith got his first break, in the form of Dan Hartman
, fresh off his hit "Instant Replay
". He hired the guitarist to front his band for a "lip-sync tour" of Europe and the US. Upon his return to the East coast, Smith moved to Manhattan and became the guitarist for Gilda Radner
's 1979 Broadway show Gilda Live
. Radner and Smith became friends; shortly afterward they got married. In 1981 he put out his first solo album, "In the World". Both Paul Simon and Radner sang backup on the album. In 1982, Radner and Smith divorced.
During this same period of Smith's increasing fortunes, he was hired to play lead guitar for Hall & Oates
. He stayed for six years (1979–85) constantly touring and recording with them, with songs such as "Private Eyes", "Maneater", "Kiss On My List" and others. "It was insanely fun," he recalls. "We were so big that one year, we decided we would perform during summer — all year 'round! We toured the northern hemisphere in the summer and the southern hemisphere during New York's winter." Another event was the Live Aid
and Farm Aid
benefit concerts in mid 1985. During the Philadelphia portion of Live Aid day (there was also a Live Aid show in London) the Hall & Oates band ended up being the house band. Smith ended up being the de facto music director for a lot of the show, as his band backed Mick Jagger
, Tina Turner
and others.
When Hall & Oates decided to take a long break from the music scene, Smith was chosen to be musical director for Saturday Night Live. Smith knew Howard Shore
, the show's original musical director, and producer Lorne Michaels
, from his relationship with Gilda Radner. Leading the SNL band for 10 years (1985–1995) Smith won an Emmy Award
. "I definitely grew a lot from playing with those world-class musicians, especially the horn section. I really had to learn to play in time and in tune. It was a great education." Smith was joined by bassist Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, Smith's colleague in the Hall & Oates band. In 1992 he recorded his second album, this time with the Saturday Night Live Band entitled "Get a Little".
The SNL
roster of guest musicians included Eddie Van Halen
, Keith Richards
, Rickie Lee Jones
, Al Green
, Bryan Ferry
, David Gilmour
, Lonnie Mack
, Dave Edmunds
, Johnny Winter
and Buddy Guy
. The Buddy Guy visit eventually resulted in the 1996 Grammy-nominated Buddy Guy — Live CD, with Smith and the SNL band.
SNL also provided Smith with a songwriting opportunity when Mike Myers
asked him to help write a tune. "Mike had this bit, called Wayne's World
, and he needed a theme song. Aerosmith
was the musical guest that week, so Mike and I sat down and wrote a song that Aerosmith could sing and play along with." Wayne's World
became a hit film, the soundtrack (and song) a platinum-selling smash hit.
In the midst of his SNL tenure Smith toured for almost two and a half years with Bob Dylan
during the "Neverending Tour" from 1988 until October 1990.
During his SNL years Smith was the musical director for special events such as the 1988 Emmy Awards, the 1993 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Awards, Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden
as well as acting as the musical director at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Concert in Cleveland
. Smith also has written with his friend and fellow musician Jimmy Buffett
. "Six String Music" appears on Buffett's album Fruitcakes. He has also appeared in the music video for Fashion by David Bowie.
Following his departure from Saturday Night Live in 1995, Smith and his wife, Taylor Barton, created the record label Green Mirror Music. Smith released his CD Incense Herbs, and Oils in 1998. Between live dates, he has been the musical director and band leader honoring Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson
at the Kennedy Center Honors
in Washington, D.C.
He also led bands for The Muddy Waters
Tribute, and the 1998 and 1999 Mark Twain Awards
honoring Richard Pryor
and Jonathan Winters
which aired on PBS
, and Comedy Central
.
Another highlight of Smith's history was hosting an interactive show on the electric guitar over the internet, on NPR, and a live presentation at the Smithsonian Institution
.
1999–2000 brought Smith back to SNL, appearing in the 25th Anniversary show and other guest appearances. He was featured on VH1
in the history of SNL, and hosted the New Year's Eve
bash inaugurating the new Rose Center for Earth and Space
(formerly the Hayden Planetarium
). In recent years Smith has been a regular instructor of electric guitar at Jorma Kaukonen
's Fur Peace Ranch.
In the early to mid 2000s, Smith played inside Cleveland Browns Stadium
at Browns home games, along with a band. They would play during game timeouts.
Smith has played with a broad spectrum of artists, from Red Buttons to Allen Ginsberg
, from Desmond Child
to Bob Dylan
. "I've had an incredible ride in the world of rock 'n' roll and American music," says Smith, looking back over his career.
He toured with the band Moonalice
acting as their musical director. In Spring and Summer 2010 he toured with Electric Hot Tuna.
Since September 15, 2010, Smith is performing as a part of Roger Waters
' band during the 2010–2011 tour The Wall Live
.
In February 2011, Smith was on tour with Hot Tuna
, appearing as "Hot Tuna Blues." Charlie Musselwhite
and Jim Lauderdale
were also on the tour, and all three musicians perform with Hot Tuna on certain songs. In their February 18, 2011, performance, Smith came onstage during the opening acoustic set, and remained to play the rest of the evening. He played a vintage Gibson J-200 in the acoustic set, and an early '50s Fender Telecaster in the electric set.
bought by his mother; the guitar, which he still owns, was made the same year he was born (1952). Over the years his collection of instruments has grown and includes a large number of vintage guitars, amplifiers and lapsteel guitars with Fender representing the majority of his collection.
In January 2007, Fender issued the G.E. Smith signature Telecaster in honor of Smith's reputation as a modern master of the Telecaster. His signature guitar is based on a 1950s Telecaster with a cut-off bridge plate and the bridge pickup mounted right to the body, a feature normally found on Champion lap-steels from the late 1940s, as well as the 'Oval and Diamond' fretboard inlays on the guitar's neck. The neck is made out of maple and is based on measurements from some of Smith's personal favorite Fender necks which Fender calls the 'Special Extra Deep “U” Shape'. The guitar is available in 'Honey Blonde', 'Black' and 'Dakota Red' cellulose finishes.
“What I’ve tried to do over the years, and in particular with this guitar, is to make it capable of being really fat-sounding, as well as doing all the chicken-pickin’ and the classic Telecaster things that you think about. But with that pickup in the wood like that, you get this resonance and this fattened-up lower end and low midrange that’s really cool. As long as somebody’s willing to do the digging in that you’ve got to do to play a Telecaster anyway, it really responds, and that’s something I’m really happy with.”
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Poconos region of the state, approximately five miles from the Delaware Water Gap, at the confluence of the Brodhead and Pocono Creeks. It is the county seat of Monroe County. Stroudsburg is part of the...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. He was the lead guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist in the band Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
and the musical director of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. Smith was lead guitarist of Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
's touring band from June 7, 1988 to October 19, 1990. Smith also served as musical director of The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration
The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration is a live double-album release in recognition of Bob Dylan's 30 years as a recording artist. Recorded on October 16, 1992 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, it captures most of the concert, which featured many artists performing classic Dylan songs,...
for Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on October 16, 1992.
As a session player, Smith has performed and recorded with an exceptionally wide spectrum of influential artists. His own albums include In The World (1981), Get A Little (with the Saturday Night Live Band, 1993) and Incense, Herbs and Oils (1998). Smith was the lead guitarist for the band Moonalice
Moonalice
Moonalice is the band that formed from previous members of the Flying Other Brothers. The band has been touring since May, 2007, and has come to the attention of music critics. The band is made up of five musicians, and led by businessman Roger McNamee. Their eponymous debut album recorded and...
until December 2009. He was married to Gilda Radner
Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner was an American comedian and actress, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award in 1978.-Early life:...
(1980–1982) and has been married to Taylor Barton since 1990.
Early life
Smith was born January 27, 1952 in rural Stroudsburg, PennsylvaniaStroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Poconos region of the state, approximately five miles from the Delaware Water Gap, at the confluence of the Brodhead and Pocono Creeks. It is the county seat of Monroe County. Stroudsburg is part of the...
. He started playing guitar at the age of 4. In 1959, at the age of 7, he was given a C. F. Martin
C. F. Martin & Company
C.F. Martin & Company is a US guitar manufacturer established in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin. Martin is highly regarded for its steel-string guitars, and is a leading mass manufacturer of flattop acoustics with models that retail for thousands of dollars and vintage instruments that often...
guitar. On his 11th birthday Smith's mother bought him his first electric guitar, a Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
, a model that dated to 1952, his birth year. By then he was already supporting himself as a musician, playing in numerous situations — such as Poconos
The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is a region located in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The Poconos, located chiefly in Monroe and Pike counties , are an upland of the larger Allegheny Plateau...
resorts, high school dances — often with musicians more than twice his age.
Career
In the early 1970s, Smith left the Poconos for the New Haven, ConnecticutNew Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
area, where he played in s group called the Scratch Band. In late 1977 Smith got his first break, in the form of Dan Hartman
Dan Hartman
Daniel Earl "Dan" Hartman was an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known for such songs as: "Free Ride", "I Can Dream About You", "Instant Replay", "Love Sensation", and "Relight My Fire", all of which had world-wide success.-Career:Born in Pennsylvania's capital, Harrisburg,...
, fresh off his hit "Instant Replay
Instant Replay (song)
"Instant Replay" is a disco song performed by Dan Hartman from the album of the same name. All the tracks on Hartman's album topped the US Dance Chart for five weeks. It reached number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart, while topping out on the R&B chart at number 44. In the UK, the...
". He hired the guitarist to front his band for a "lip-sync tour" of Europe and the US. Upon his return to the East coast, Smith moved to Manhattan and became the guitarist for Gilda Radner
Gilda Radner
Gilda Susan Radner was an American comedian and actress, best known as one of the original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, for which she won an Emmy Award in 1978.-Early life:...
's 1979 Broadway show Gilda Live
Gilda Live
Gilda Live is an American film released in 1980 starring Gilda Radner. It was directed by Mike Nichols and was produced by Lorne Michaels. Radner and Michaels and all of the writers involved with the production were alumni from the television program Saturday Night Live.-Summary:Gilda Live is a...
. Radner and Smith became friends; shortly afterward they got married. In 1981 he put out his first solo album, "In the World". Both Paul Simon and Radner sang backup on the album. In 1982, Radner and Smith divorced.
During this same period of Smith's increasing fortunes, he was hired to play lead guitar for Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
. He stayed for six years (1979–85) constantly touring and recording with them, with songs such as "Private Eyes", "Maneater", "Kiss On My List" and others. "It was insanely fun," he recalls. "We were so big that one year, we decided we would perform during summer — all year 'round! We toured the northern hemisphere in the summer and the southern hemisphere during New York's winter." Another event was the Live Aid
Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
and Farm Aid
Farm Aid
Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, held to raise money for family farmers in the United States...
benefit concerts in mid 1985. During the Philadelphia portion of Live Aid day (there was also a Live Aid show in London) the Hall & Oates band ended up being the house band. Smith ended up being the de facto music director for a lot of the show, as his band backed Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
and others.
When Hall & Oates decided to take a long break from the music scene, Smith was chosen to be musical director for Saturday Night Live. Smith knew Howard Shore
Howard Shore
Howard Leslie Shore is a Canadian composer, notable for his film scores. He has composed the scores for over 80 films, most notably the scores for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, for which he won three Academy Awards. He is also a consistent collaborator with director David Cronenberg,...
, the show's original musical director, and producer Lorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels, CM is a Canadian-American television producer, writer, and comedian best known for creating and producing Saturday Night Live and producing the various film and TV projects that spun off from it.-Early life:...
, from his relationship with Gilda Radner. Leading the SNL band for 10 years (1985–1995) Smith won an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
. "I definitely grew a lot from playing with those world-class musicians, especially the horn section. I really had to learn to play in time and in tune. It was a great education." Smith was joined by bassist Tom "T-Bone" Wolk, Smith's colleague in the Hall & Oates band. In 1992 he recorded his second album, this time with the Saturday Night Live Band entitled "Get a Little".
The SNL
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
roster of guest musicians included Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk "Eddie" Van Halen is a Dutch-American guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
, Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
, Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the course of a three-decade career, Jones has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards.-Childhood:...
, Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
, Bryan Ferry
Bryan Ferry
Bryan Ferry, CBE is an English singer, musician, and songwriter. Ferry came to public prominence in the early 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with the band Roxy Music, who enjoyed a highly successful career with three number one albums and ten singles entering the top ten charts in...
, David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
, Lonnie Mack
Lonnie Mack
Lonnie Mack is an American rock, blues and country guitarist and vocalist....
, Dave Edmunds
Dave Edmunds
David 'Dave' Edmunds is a Welsh singer, guitarist and record producer. Although he is primarily associated with Pub rock and New Wave, and had numerous hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, his natural leaning has always been towards 1950s style rock and roll.-Early bands:As a teenager Edmunds first...
, Johnny Winter
Johnny Winter
John Dawson "Johnny" Winter III is an American blues guitarist, singer, and producer. Best known for his late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters...
and Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
. The Buddy Guy visit eventually resulted in the 1996 Grammy-nominated Buddy Guy — Live CD, with Smith and the SNL band.
SNL also provided Smith with a songwriting opportunity when Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
asked him to help write a tune. "Mike had this bit, called Wayne's World
Wayne's World
Wayne's World was originally a recurring sketch from the NBC television series Saturday Night Live. It evolved from a segment titled "Wayne's Power Minute" on the CBC Television series It's Only Rock & Roll, as the main character first appeared in that show...
, and he needed a theme song. Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
was the musical guest that week, so Mike and I sat down and wrote a song that Aerosmith could sing and play along with." Wayne's World
Wayne's World
Wayne's World was originally a recurring sketch from the NBC television series Saturday Night Live. It evolved from a segment titled "Wayne's Power Minute" on the CBC Television series It's Only Rock & Roll, as the main character first appeared in that show...
became a hit film, the soundtrack (and song) a platinum-selling smash hit.
In the midst of his SNL tenure Smith toured for almost two and a half years with Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
during the "Neverending Tour" from 1988 until October 1990.
During his SNL years Smith was the musical director for special events such as the 1988 Emmy Awards, the 1993 Rhythm and Blues Foundation Awards, Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
as well as acting as the musical director at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
Concert in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. Smith also has written with his friend and fellow musician Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
. "Six String Music" appears on Buffett's album Fruitcakes. He has also appeared in the music video for Fashion by David Bowie.
Following his departure from Saturday Night Live in 1995, Smith and his wife, Taylor Barton, created the record label Green Mirror Music. Smith released his CD Incense Herbs, and Oils in 1998. Between live dates, he has been the musical director and band leader honoring Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
at the Kennedy Center Honors
Kennedy Center Honors
The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual honor given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. The Honors have been presented annually since 1978 in Washington, D.C., during gala weekend-long events which culminate in a performance for—and...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He also led bands for The Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
Tribute, and the 1998 and 1999 Mark Twain Awards
Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is America’s foremost award for humor, and has been awarded by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts annually since 1998. It is named after the 19th century novelist, essayist and humorist Mark Twain and is presented annually to an individual who...
honoring Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and Jonathan Winters
Jonathan Winters
-Early life:Winters was born in Bellbrook, Ohio, the son of Alice Kilgore , a radio personality, and Jonathan Harshman Winters II, an investment broker. He is a descendant of Valentine Winters, founder of the Winters National Bank in Dayton, Ohio...
which aired on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
, and Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
.
Another highlight of Smith's history was hosting an interactive show on the electric guitar over the internet, on NPR, and a live presentation at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.
1999–2000 brought Smith back to SNL, appearing in the 25th Anniversary show and other guest appearances. He was featured on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
in the history of SNL, and hosted the New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
bash inaugurating the new Rose Center for Earth and Space
Rose Center for Earth and Space
The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a part of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Center's complete name is The Frederick Phineas and Sandra Priest Rose Center for Earth and Space. The main entrance is located on the northern side of the museum on 81st Street near...
(formerly the Hayden Planetarium
Hayden Planetarium
The Hayden Planetarium is a public planetarium, part of the Rose Center for Earth and Space of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, currently directed by astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson....
). In recent years Smith has been a regular instructor of electric guitar at Jorma Kaukonen
Jorma Kaukonen
Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. is an American blues, folk, and rock guitarist, best known for his work with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.-Biography:...
's Fur Peace Ranch.
In the early to mid 2000s, Smith played inside Cleveland Browns Stadium
Cleveland Browns Stadium
-See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity...
at Browns home games, along with a band. They would play during game timeouts.
Smith has played with a broad spectrum of artists, from Red Buttons to Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, from Desmond Child
Desmond Child
Desmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
to Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
. "I've had an incredible ride in the world of rock 'n' roll and American music," says Smith, looking back over his career.
He toured with the band Moonalice
Moonalice
Moonalice is the band that formed from previous members of the Flying Other Brothers. The band has been touring since May, 2007, and has come to the attention of music critics. The band is made up of five musicians, and led by businessman Roger McNamee. Their eponymous debut album recorded and...
acting as their musical director. In Spring and Summer 2010 he toured with Electric Hot Tuna.
Since September 15, 2010, Smith is performing as a part of Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
' band during the 2010–2011 tour The Wall Live
The Wall Live (2010–2011 tour)
The Wall Live is a worldwide concert tour by Roger Waters, formerly of Pink Floyd. The tour is the first time the Pink Floyd album The Wall has been performed in its entirety by the band or any of its former members since Waters performed the album live in Berlin 21 July 1990...
.
In February 2011, Smith was on tour with Hot Tuna
Hot Tuna
Hot Tuna is an American blues-rock band formed by bassist Jack Casady and guitarist Jorma Kaukonen as a spin-off of Jefferson Airplane. It plays acoustic and electric versions of original and traditional blues songs.- Jefferson Airplane side project :...
, appearing as "Hot Tuna Blues." Charlie Musselwhite
Charlie Musselwhite
Charlie Musselwhite is an American electric blues harmonica player and bandleader, one of the non-black bluesmen who came to prominence in the early 1960s, along with Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield. Though he has often been identified as a "white bluesman", he claims Native American heritage...
and Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale
Jim Lauderdale is a musician & singer-songwriter who performs bluegrass and country music. He has recorded since 1986 and has released nineteen studio albums. Artists who have recorded his material include George Strait and Patty Loveless.-Biography:...
were also on the tour, and all three musicians perform with Hot Tuna on certain songs. In their February 18, 2011, performance, Smith came onstage during the opening acoustic set, and remained to play the rest of the evening. He played a vintage Gibson J-200 in the acoustic set, and an early '50s Fender Telecaster in the electric set.
Musical equipment
On his 11th birthday Smith got his first electric guitar, a Fender TelecasterFender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
bought by his mother; the guitar, which he still owns, was made the same year he was born (1952). Over the years his collection of instruments has grown and includes a large number of vintage guitars, amplifiers and lapsteel guitars with Fender representing the majority of his collection.
In January 2007, Fender issued the G.E. Smith signature Telecaster in honor of Smith's reputation as a modern master of the Telecaster. His signature guitar is based on a 1950s Telecaster with a cut-off bridge plate and the bridge pickup mounted right to the body, a feature normally found on Champion lap-steels from the late 1940s, as well as the 'Oval and Diamond' fretboard inlays on the guitar's neck. The neck is made out of maple and is based on measurements from some of Smith's personal favorite Fender necks which Fender calls the 'Special Extra Deep “U” Shape'. The guitar is available in 'Honey Blonde', 'Black' and 'Dakota Red' cellulose finishes.
“What I’ve tried to do over the years, and in particular with this guitar, is to make it capable of being really fat-sounding, as well as doing all the chicken-pickin’ and the classic Telecaster things that you think about. But with that pickup in the wood like that, you get this resonance and this fattened-up lower end and low midrange that’s really cool. As long as somebody’s willing to do the digging in that you’ve got to do to play a Telecaster anyway, it really responds, and that’s something I’m really happy with.”