His former life as a rock star set up to hit even higher career notes as a country singer.

Smith, the former lead singer of multi-platinum band Default (Deny, Wasting My Time) traded in the hard rock post-grunge genre to pursue a country career in 2012.

香蕉视频直播淲e achieved some great things, a platinum record. I think all of that prepared me for something better,香蕉视频直播� he said during a phone conversation from Edmonton, Alta.

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Smith is currently on a 30-date tour for his newest album Side Effects. He plays Penticton香蕉视频直播檚 South Okanagan Events Centre Nov. 17.

Smith said he didn香蕉视频直播檛 know when he made the switch over from rock to country that he was in for such success.

香蕉视频直播淚 just made the choice. I was getting older. In Default we were doing great stuff, but I was getting older and really starting to gravitate to writing more meaningful stuff. Country lends itself to meaningful songwriting,香蕉视频直播� he said of the change.

香蕉视频直播淚 would say this has been the best five or six years of my life.香蕉视频直播�

And no doubt.

Smith香蕉视频直播檚 first solo album aptly titled Jumped Right In was released in May of 2012 by 604 Records. The album features songs written by Smith and several other big names in Canadian music including Nickelback香蕉视频直播檚 Chad Kroeger. The album includes five top 10 Canadian Country Music hits including If It Gets You Where You Wanna Go, What Kinda Love, Nothing But Summer and Somebody Somewhere.

Smith followed the success up with his next full-length studio album titled Lifted, released in November 2014, which included three hit songs Lifted, Cheap Seats and Wastin香蕉视频直播� Gas.

And again two years later, Smith put out a new album titled Side Effects, which he is currently touring. The album includes six hit songs including One Little Kiss, Autograph and Sleepin香蕉视频直播� Around.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e had a lot of success with this last one. It香蕉视频直播檚 been a lot of fun to tour around. People have really connected with it and that香蕉视频直播檚 what it香蕉视频直播檚 all about,香蕉视频直播� he said.

After the Side Effects tour wraps up, Smith will jump aboard the CP Holiday Train which makes stops at stations around the country and includes performances from some of the best in Canadian music.

香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of fun,香蕉视频直播� he said.

After that, he plans on taking a break with his family somewhere warm before getting back in the studio to continue work on his fourth full-length album.

Near and dear to his country heart is helping younger musicians find their way through the maze of the music industry. Several years ago, Smith co-created Steelhead Music whose roster includes Andrew Hyatt and Petric.

香蕉视频直播淒uring my time I香蕉视频直播檝e experienced bad contracts, manipulative people. There isn香蕉视频直播檛 enough out there for artists to learn the business. They don香蕉视频直播檛 learn how to run their business. There香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of pitfalls. I think I香蕉视频直播檝e learned a lot and have a lot to offer and just want to help people coming up,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Smith returns to Penticton on Nov. 17 with special guests Michael Ray and Lauren Alaina.

香蕉视频直播淚 really love that area of the province. The wine, the food. It香蕉视频直播檚 beautiful,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檒l be a great show.香蕉视频直播�