Artist Spotlight: Ken Goldsmith

Midland, Texas (August 13th, 2012) - As the old saying goes, “age is but a number,” and never was there a greater definition of this than ‘clean’ country recording artist, Ken Goldsmith. The Snyder, Texas-native has spent much of his life building his company into what it is now successful, Midland-based drilling fluids service company Mudsmith, Ltd. Nonetheless, Goldsmith knew something was missing – and quickly discovered the power of a dream. His newly ignited passion for music, coupled with his soulful, endearing sound, have made him a stand out artist amongst family, friends, and country music fans everywhere.

Having lain dormant for years, Goldsmith’s drive to become a country artist was something that could be no longer ignored come his 50^th birthday. “As usual, I couldn’t think of one material thing I really wanted. Finally, I gave in. I told those closest to me that what I really wanted was to see if I could still sing like I could when I was younger.” At the advice of local musicians and karaoke jockeys, Goldsmith purchased the necessary equipment to do just that. At his 50^th birthday celebration, his wife Brenda hired a five-piece band to entertain the guests – and Goldsmith sang karaoke during their intermission. This put to rest any lack of confidence in his musical abilities. “I now even had the courage to stand in with the band and sing along on a few tunes.”

The sudden boost in self-esteem lead Goldsmith to making a number of lifestyle changes to improve his overall health, happiness, and chances of becoming a successful artist. In 2010, when asked by his wife where he’d like to vacation, the question was a no-brainer. “Guess where I tossed up for consideration? Nashville!” His trip to Music City landed him at local karaoke hot spot Troubadours. It was that night that Goldsmith met Nashville artist J.L. Hickerson. “My discussion with him rekindled my interest in writing songs and recording in Nashville.” Upon returning to Midland, he began researching recording studios and creating a list of cover songs he wanted to cut for his first album. Legends In My Mind Volume 1, an ode to all the country legends that had inspired Goldsmith, was recorded at Midi Magic Studio just outside Nashville under the direction of Gerry Peters.

“As my album project came together, Gerry encouraged me to set up a small record label and publishing company so I could publish my original songs and sell albums… I instantly had a great name in mind…” Nashville On The Brazos Productions, LLC – something he’d affectionately called his man cave because of its location near the Brazos River – was created. Goldsmith wasted no time beginning work on his second studio album, Legends In My Mind Volume 2: Five Guys Named Hank. The 14-song album, which includes hits by Hank Cochran, Hank Locklin, Hank Thompson, Hank Snow and, of course, Hank Williams, Senior, also includes two originals by Goldsmith – the title track, Five Guys Named Hank, and autobiographical Fifty-Two. It was during the recording of this album that Goldsmith met Nashville recording artist Tamara Fosdick and, on September 1^st, she signed as Nashville On The Brazos first official staff writer.

With the addition of Fosdick came an entire new network of writers, including Stonewall Jackson, Ira Allen, and Jerry Foster. Goldsmith also met and befriended legend Dallas Frazier and, after cutting several of Frazier’s songs, was inspired by him to create the third volume of Legends In My Mind. He teamed up with Frazier’s childhood friend and songwriter Buddy Mize to pen the title track, This Man Called Dallas. The album celebrated its release in July 2012.

Despite having recorded three albums and nearly fifty songs in the past two years, Goldsmith’s ambitions don’t stop there – July 28^th, 2012 marked another dream realized with the opening of MudRock Recording Studio and Ballroom. Located in Midland, the studio offers a world-class recording experience, a 4,000 square foot rehearsal facility, and a fully equipped ballroom for public or private live music performances and events. Created and built by studio designer Mike Cronin, the space will “…be a draw for artists and bands in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico who need a place closer to home to do everything from cutting a rough demo to a fully mixed and mastered project.” And, of course, the studio will serve as a tool and home base for Nashville On The Brazos Productions writers. “Our hope is this will give us a national distribution network to sell the music developed by writers signed to Nashville On The Brazos Productions.”

With several irons in the fire, Goldsmith looks hopefully ahead while remaining grateful for all that’s already transpired. “What’s next? God only knows…but I thank Him for using me in the way He has in this life thus far.”