Brent Smith

Brent Stephen Smith, born on January 10, 1978, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is an American singer and songwriter, widely recognized as the lead vocalist of the rock band Shinedown. An only child, Smith's musical journey began long before Shinedown's formation. He was part of a high school band called Blind Thought and later fronted a band named Dreve, which was signed by Atlantic Records. However, the label dropped the band but retained Smith, leading him to form a new group.

The Formation of Shinedown

In 2001, under a developmental contract with Atlantic Records, Smith moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to start a new musical project. The first member he recruited was bassist Brad Stewart. They were soon joined by guitarist Jasin Todd and drummer Barry Kerch, completing the original lineup of Shinedown. The band's debut album, "Leave a Whisper," was released on May 27, 2003. While not an instant success, extensive touring and successful singles like "Fly from the Inside" and "45" led to the album eventually being certified platinum.

Rise to Prominence

Shinedown's sophomore album, "Us and Them" (2005), debuted higher on the charts than its predecessor and featured the band's first number-one single on the Mainstream Rock charts, "Save Me". However, it was their third album, "The Sound of Madness" (2008), that propelled them to mainstream success. This album spawned several hit singles, including the crossover hit "Second Chance," which became a top ten hit on the Hot 100. "The Sound of Madness" remains the band's best-selling album, having been certified double platinum in the U.S.

Subsequent Success and Musical Style

Shinedown has continued to release a string of successful albums, including "Amaryllis" (2012), "Threat to Survival" (2015), "Attention Attention" (2018), and "Planet Zero" (2022). The band has sold over ten million records worldwide and holds the record for the most number-one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. Smith is known for his powerful and soaring vocals, often described as having a Tennessee twang. His vocal style is a key element of Shinedown's sound, which blends hard rock, alternative metal, and post-grunge.

Personal Life

For many years, Brent Smith struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, as well as weight management. An intervention from his then-girlfriend inspired him to get sober and focus on his health. He has a son named Lyric Santana Smith. Smith is known for being private about his personal life. He has stated that he doesn't own a home and lives a minimalist lifestyle.