Performing in front of an audience is nothing new to Marine Captain Matt Smith, Eta Beta/Eastern Kentucky 2007. He started playing guitar and singing in a group with his brothers when he was just 10 years-old. Together they played multiple venues and recorded three albums in a local studio.
“In college, I paid my rent and even bought my wife’s engagement ring with money I made playing local bars and clubs,” said Smith.
Even though he had played in front of a lot of crowds over the last 19 years, he had never played a stage anywhere near as big as the stage as the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. That is exactly where Smith performed most recently.
“There was an announcement put out across the military branches that the Academy of Country Music was looking for service members to perform in their All-Star Salute to the Troops Special,” said Smith. They were looking for service members who played country music, had done multiple deployments, and had an interesting story tying their military service to country music.”
Smith and fellow Marine Captain, John Ed Auer, decided to give the audition a try. They made a YouTube video and submitted a biography in January. In March they received an email saying they had been selected. In all, 12 members of the Armed Forces had been chosen. Of those 12, four were Marines.
“John and I were honored, not only to have been selected, but to be representing the Marine Corps,” said Smith.
For their performance, Smith and Auer were selected to perform with the band Lady Antebellum.
“Not every service member chosen got to play with a country music star, so we were extremely excited when we got paired with Lady Antebellum,” Smith said.
“We played their chart topping number one hit song “Compass,” which is a very fun song to play and an even better song to play live,” said Smith. The crowd loved the song! I think there were around 15,000 people in the audience and it was electrifying playing in front of a crowd that large. It was also amazing to think that it was being taped for National TV,” he continued.
Smith admits that he was feeling a bit of stage fright before going on stage.
“I was definitely feeling some nerves of excitement before going on stage, but once we started playing, the butterflies went away and I was having the time of my life,” he said. “Playing with Lady Antebellum will always be one of the highlights of my life,” Smith continued. “They were absolutely amazing. They were so humble, down to earth, and genuinely seemed excited to have us on stage with them.”
On the set of the show Smith was able to meet other greats of the country music world.
“I was continuously amazed at how humble and down to earth every country singer I had the honor of meeting was,” said Smith. “George Straight, Merle Haggard, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Rascal Flats, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry, and of course, Lady Antebellum. There were others too,” said Smith. “Bob Romeo, the CEO of the ACM’s and Rac Clark, the CEO of Dick Clark Productions. They all went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed. It says a lot about all of these individuals that they would give their time and resources to salute all service men and women. I was humbled by their generosity.” Smith said.
Smith has been on active duty with the United States Marine Corps for seven years. He has done two deployments in the Operating Forces and served as a Scout Sniper Platoon Commander for 1st Battalion, 1st Marines in Camp Pendleton, CA. He is currently stationed at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. (Famously known as “8” and “I” referring to the street corner where it is located.) At Marine Barracks Smith has served as a Ceremonial Platoon Commander, the Silent Drill Platoon Commander, and he is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Operations Officer.
“I joined Theta Chi to meet new people, to pursue a chance to be a leader on campus, and to better myself,” said Smith. “I was lucky enough to serve as President of Eta Beta Chapter at Eastern Kentucky University and I learned leadership lessons there that would assist me as a Marine Officer. It was an honor to serve my brothers as the President of our chapter and to work with the school to make our organization better. It also gave me great opportunities to bring my love for playing music to multiple events,” said Smith.
The ACM All-Star Salute to the Troops will air 9 p.m. Eastern Time, May 20, on CBS. Check your local listings for exact time in case of change due to time zones.
Watch the YouTube promotion video of the ACM All-Star Salute to the Troops
Academy of Country Music/dick clark productions/CBS. - See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/troopsepk#sthash.ooXas2LJ.dpuf
Watch Matt and John's YouTube video audition.
Matt's facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/mattsmithcountry