August 12, 2020

Meet Valerie Smith

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Valerie Smith.

Valerie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have memories of being somewhere between the ages of about five to seven when my pastor prayed over my hands and my voice. I remember pieces of the prayer because I was so young but the part that stuck with me even to today was that God would anoint me to change the world through my voice and through playing keys. He said I was a special child. Shortly after, I played my first song, “Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary.” I sang my first solo, “If Anybody Ask You Who I Am” and I just never stopped from there. I went on to start leading songs in the choir. I formed a girls group called “Vision.” I began playing piano along with my middle sister, Erica during church services. By the time I was a teenager, I was leading songs, singing with a girl group, teaching vocal parts and directing the choir, writing plays, and carrying services on the piano, I started getting calls to sing and play for weddings and eventually landed my first paid role as a Minister of Music/Director of Music by the time I graduated High School. When I started playing piano, I learned to play by ear and learned to read music in the band and was developed more by one of the most amazing musicians in my city at that time, Robert Portis. One of my mentors, Sam Thomas, helped to develop my piano/keyboard skills by playing alongside him at our church New Zion Bibleway Church and he also helped me get a job playing piano for a small, Baptist church where he served as their Director of Music as well.

By this time, I had been introduced to my longtime mentor and now bossman (Audiostate Entertainment), Dr. Henry Panion… I joined Dr. Henry Panion’s Community Choir, PING and debuted the first choir song that I ever wrote(“He is Worthy To Be Praised”) with his choir. During that time, as I continued to sing, play, direct, and write it gradually gave me more and more exposure to larger opportunities such as my first industry job as a professional background singer with former Verity Artist/John P. Kee lead singer, Erick Matthews. It was then that I was exposed to traveling and studio work. Erick Matthews, Dr. Henry Panion and Kevin Turner all gave me my first shot at recording between the ages 16-19. I graduated from High School and went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I recorded my first hit solo debut with the UAB Gospel Choir, “I’m Glad You Got Here!” (A Remix of Deborah Cox’s “How Did You Get Here.” It was at UAB that I officially start working with Dr. Kevin Turner. Although I knew who he was well before I got there. He was the most amazing choir director and organist this city at seen at that time. This is pretty much where it all began!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road definitely has not been easy along the way. I had the struggle of being young, a young woman, a young single woman, a young married woman, and a young divorced woman. “To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required.” Luke 12:48.

The struggles along the way have been outliving the hard parts of my story in front of those that got to watch my story unfold. It’s hard when God tells you to keep serving him and not to walk away from your calling in the midst of embarrassing moments in your life but to be quiet and walk out your healing process with grace. It’s a challenge when you feel that life sometimes disqualify you from continuing to lead others in ministry. Sometimes you’re bleeding while leading and you have to give yourself time to heal so that you won’t pour from a place of brokenness but from a place of wholeness after you’ve been broken, That’s the testimony. It’s difficult sometimes to know your own flaws and to minister from a victorious place versus a defeated place.

I experienced a very public divorce while serving in ministry at the age of 25 and then again at the age of 33 with three small children from my marriages. I thought God would somehow disqualify and “un-anoint” me some kind of way. The amazing thing is, I kept moving forward. I chose peace over drama. I chose purpose over petty. I chose to live and not die and have reaped the benefits of pressing on and living a life fully surrendered to God. God graced me to still carry his presence and to get to where I am now where I’m not only whole but I can share my story without the shame. It definitely doesn’t hurt to tell it when the climax of it all is Victory. I don’t look like what I’ve been through at all! My reset has been the most amazing journey and the fact that I get to tell it is even more worth it when it frees someone else from the guilt of their past.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
With over two decades of serving in ministry, Valerie T. Smith Music has expanded her journey across cultures, across the country, across genres, and in various ministry roles. Valerie is a billboard charting Gospel and Christian independent artist, musician, professional background vocalist, vocal producer, songwriter, and author. Valerie has been a featured lead vocalist on multiple projects including her college alma mater, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s “Lessons for Life” and “Nu Soul City” records, Marvin F. Pullom and Forward’s Songs of Salvation (In Spirit in and in Truth) as well as her own singles, “Your Grace,” “Break Free,” and EP album, “Dream.” Valerie’s most recent notable performance was featured in the “Dreams of Hope” PBS film that aired in over 180 million homes in February 2020. Valerie is currently a worship leader for Church of the Highlands, one of the largest churches in America under the leadership of Pastor Chris Hodges.

It’s not the art of it, it’s the heart of it.”- This is the phrase that sets Valerie T. Smith Music apart. Although excellence is a big part of it, the most important part of it all is the heart of it. I’m not just a performer, I’m a servant of the Lord on a mission to change the world with my heart, not just the art.

Valerie T. Smith Music has served as a worship leader, director of music, or musician since age 15 and is known for her pure sound and anointing that destroys yokes. She is committed to fulfilling her calling to the world.

Valerie’s professional experience also includes singing background vocals and background vocal directing for major artists across US. Some of the artists include Yolanda Adams, India Arie, Robin Thicke, LeAnn Rimes, Bo Bice, and many many more through her affiliation with Dr. Henry Panion’s Audiostate Entertainment Music Team/Staff.

In January 2020, Valerie co-authored the Amazon bestseller, “Her -I’m Still Standing.” In this book, she and 11 other women share some of the most transparent pages from the chapters of their lives. This book has encouraged and empowered women all over the world by taking them on a journey towards triumph from the dark, most precious parts of their lives to their freedom and survival.

Valerie’s greatest accomplishment to date is motherhood. Valerie is a mother of 3 children (Jeremiah – 19, Joshua, 16 and Jordyn – 10). So, between managing the schedule of her college student, and her young musicians and singers in her home, she makes juggling motherhood and ministry and business look easy. ” With the help of God and a little time management, anything is possible!” Psalms 91 is one of her favorite scriptures and declarations over her family’s lives.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m am currently working on a new EP Album called “Reset” and writing a book called “Reset.” I am also preparing for my virtual worship experience that will be live on Facebook at the end of August.

I’m also working writing a single with my ten year old daughter, Jordyn. Her brother, Joshua will more than likely play guitar on her record. That’ll be really cool.

I’m also invested in helping my oldest son, continue to market and grow his new business as a barber.

Pricing:

Contact Info:

Website: www.ValerieTSmith.com
Email: bookvalsmithmuzik@gmail.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valtsmith/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valerie.t.smithmusic

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