Tim Smith Biography 

Tim Smith was born on May 29^th, 1955 in Havre de Grace, Maryland. In 1968 the family moved to Sparta, North Carolina. Tim has been playing and learning fiddle tunes since age 7. From ages 9 to 13 he studied classical music and played in the school orchestras in the state of Maryland. All the while, he continued his study and passion for fiddling, playing music with family and friends. His Father played good rhythm guitar and would accompany him on the fiddle tunes during the early years. His Mom and Dad were always encouraging and supportive of all his musical explorations.

Tim has a rich musical heritage of fiddling. His Grandfather Kilby Reeves, of Sparta, NC, was an Appalachian style fiddler, reminiscent of the late fiddler Tommy Jarrell.  Uncles Tom and Bert Reeves, both Bluegrass fiddlers, have also been a great source of encouragement and mentors. Kilby Reeves was an early Galax, VA fiddlers convention champion, sought after square dance fiddler and has been credited with teaching the legendary fiddler Art Wooten, who was also from Sparta, NC, to play the fiddle.

After relocating to Sparta, Tim was sought after to play shows, dances, churches and fiddle contests. He played locally with several fine musicians, to name a few, such as Fred Roupe, Bill Joines, The Country Five (a country band featuring Roger Evans and the Wyatt brothers—James, Joe and Jackie).

Shortly following his graduation from Alleghany High School in 1973, Tim won Lester Flatt’s fiddle contest in Pinnacle, NC. The first place prize was a guest appearance with Lester Flatt and The Nashville Grass on The Grand Ole Opry and that he did, in early 1974.  That great honor led Tim to a professional career in the music business. Since then, Tim has been awarded various prestigious fiddle prizes including “The North Carolina State Championship” 1^st place fiddle prize in 1976,   1^st place fiddle prize at the world famous “Galax Fiddlers Convention”  in 1977,  and  “The World Championship” fiddle prize at the internationally renowned  “Union Grove Fiddlers Convention” in 1978, to name a few.

Tim has performed and recorded with many notable musicians through the years. From 1979 to 1982, he performed and recorded with the “Bluegrass Cardinals”. Tim performed, as a Bluegrass Boy, with “Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys”. He has performed with Lester Flatt and The Nashville Grass, Jim and Jesse and The Virginia Boys, The Country Gentlemen, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Roy Acuff, Del McCoury, Tony Rice, Country Gazette, David Holt and many others.

Currently, there are six, “Tim Smith” CD releases;  “1978 World Champion Fiddler”, “Favorite Pastimes”, “Straight From The Heart”,  “Plain and Simple”, “The Lonesome Blueridge” and the latest 2012 release, “Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends,” on the TRS Records label. Tim lives in Kernersville, NC with his wife, Anita. They have two children, Melissa and Andrew.