Here’s the story of a small town Midwestern girl who moved to Boston for music. It turns out, she never left the Boston area. And the music never left her. Now a popular Boston artist, she has grown roots in the country music community here. Meet my Local Catch of the Week, Elisa Smith from Beverly, Massachusetts.

On Elisa’s Instagram page, her bio states: “Rock n roll mama with a vintage country vibe.” Elisa is a mother, wife, global promoter for music education and a rock star with a country flare. Her zeal is remarkably infectious. Obviously, Smith’s passion is what keeps her moving through a hectic schedule and keeps her in the game.

Get ready for more Elisa in 2024. The singer/songwriter is releasing an EP in the Spring. She’s put out a new single every month for 5 months and the first one is almost ready for streaming platforms. But lucky you, because you are reading about this incredibly talented local artist, you get to hear the song before it’s released!

Making The Right Moves

“What’s One More” is the brand new single from Smith. She’s excited to share it with you and so am I. At first listen, I get a Kacey Musgraves vibe on this one. But this gem sparkles with blues and rock hues. Elisa’s brings in hints of her hero, Loretta Lynn, but with modern touches. It moves so easily, it’s like the song is gliding. She has such a gift for telling a story through music, it comes off as effortless. Like a casual conversation among friends.

This midwestern girl turned New Englander made the right move when coming to study at Berklee College of Music. That lead her to a Masters Program class at Harvard, where Garth Brooks was a guest lecturer. He mentioned he still gets nervous performing sometimes. Elisa suffered from stage fright at the time. She asked Brooks how he deals with it. He then invited her to perform on stage. Afterwards, Garth handed Elisa his guitar and told her to keep it. And to keep singing. She’s still here. Still singing. Still slaying. Right move.

The Music
Listen to Elisa’s brand new release, “What’s One More” below. She shares what’s it’s about and how it came to be:

“I came up with the title first – I usually write my songs that way. I was out with some friends and when we were thinking about ordering another round I thought to myself, “meh, what’s one more?” And I knew I had to write a song with that title. So that got me to thinking more about what we could have “one more” of, which led me to one more night with someone that you know you shouldn’t be around. That’s how the song was born. I always knew I wanted this song to be a duet and so my producer, Caleb Gilbreath, connected me with Brad Sample who just absolutely crushed it. I love his 80’s kind of vibe. This song is a classic story of getting back together with someone for that one last fling even though you know you shouldn’t. I love this song so much. It features an incredible artist in Nashville, Brad Sample as a duet.” The song is part of my new EP coming out this spring “Spirit on the Run” as the first release of 5 over the next 5 months.

“What’s One More?”
The Story
Grew up in: Mokena, IL

Now lives in: Marblehead, MA

Current single:: What’s One More

What lead you to music: My dad! He’s a guitar player and has played ever since I was a kid. My earliest memory is taking all of my stuffed animals, piling them up into his guitar case and sitting with them while I listened to him play. He was always taking me to concerts as a young kid. He took me to Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Neil Young, U2, Santana. It’s hard not to fall in love with music when you’re surrounded by it!

How long have you been performing: Since I was itty-bitty. I’ve always been putting together “bands” and performing for my parents in our living room.

First country song you learned: Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ by Loretta Lynn. Funnily enough, I just recorded a cover of this one in Nashville but my partner in crime, Erin Bonnie, and I tweaked the lyrics to be about a woman out on the town coming home to her man and wantin’ some lovin’. “Yeah I come home a drinkin’ with lovin’ on my mind.”

How would you describe your sound: My sound has been described as The Rolling Stones meets Loretta Lynn.

Who inspires you: My husband! He inspires me to be a better person every day and he’s such an amazing story teller. He’s a great person to bounce song ideas off of.

If you are a band, how did you get your name: My name, Elisa Smith, is actually a stage name (shhh! don’t tell anyone!) Elisa is my middle name (Elisabeth) and Smith is my maiden name before I was married.

Awards/accolades: I’ve been nominated for two BMA Country Artist of the Year awards and two NEMA Country Artist of the Year Awards.

Dream duet partner: Nathaniel Rateliff, hands down.

All- time favorite country song: Oh gosh! I could sooner pick my favorite kid! I’d have to say:

That Don’t Impress Me Much – Shania Twain

How Country Feels – Randy Houser

Harper Vally PTA – Loretta Lynn

Coat of Many Colors – Dolly Parton

First country concert: Neil Young. I know he’s not technically country, but listen to Comes A Time and you tell me different!

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: A chef!

Day Job : I work as the Director for a new early childhood music program developed by the Royal Conservatory of Music called Smart Start. It’s the only early childhood music program developed by a neuroscientist. They hired me to scale the program globally.

Most proud moment: When my daughter could not control her little dancing body the first time she heard Rock Steady by Aretha Franklin.

Crazy thing that happened in your music career: When Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood invited me up on stage to play a song and he gave me the guitar he had been touring with. That was wild! Also, his drummer went on to co-produce my first record, Baptized By Fire.

Other things you like to do: Hike, ski, cook and bake, play with my two new adorable kittens, Bricks and Milo.

Fun facts: My favorite color is yellow. My favorite piece of clothing I have is my pink tutu that I bought after watching my daughter bounce around in her tutu and feeling jealous. I don’t believe in synonyms – I think every word has a specific meaning.

Mantra: Just breathe (basic I know but it works!)
The Shows
Saturday, January 13: Rockwood Music Hall, Boston/ Doors at 6:30 and tickets are $15

Wednesday, January 17: Elisa is releasing is officially releasing her new song “What’s One More”

More dates coming. Check Elisa’s website for updates HERE.
The Social Network
Be sure and follow Elisa on her social media sites to keep up with new music, shows and more!
Posts and Pics

@elisasmithmusic
Check my new tune Where’s The Whiskey! My little #babyboy helps me out with this one. #countrymusic
♬ original sound - elisasmithmusic
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Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.

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