Film Screening in Boston

Prison Pups is a film that follows four inmates as they raise and train service dogs for the handicapped and hearing impaired at Concord Farm, a minimum-security facility in Massachusetts. These inmates learn to take on the responsibility of a puppy and find in themselves not only a sense of confidence but also a capacity for nurturing and affection. This experience is profound as they become empowered by their role as trainers.

The film features music by Chris, and will be screened at the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA on Thursday, May 22 at 7:30pm. Visit the Regent Theater website for more information.

We're happy to announce that Chris won the award for Outstanding Folk Act in this year's Boston Music Awards. Big thanks to everyone who voted.

Those familiar with Chris's song No Love Today might enjoy this video about the last fruit peddler in New Orleans. (Click photo to view video.)

We're happy to announce that Chris recently took home the 2007 Folk Alliance Awards for both Song of the Year ("Seems So Real") and Contemporary Artist of the Year.

The ceremony took place at the 2007 North American Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN.

www.folkalliance.org

Chris's brand new album, Leave the Light On (his second with producer David "Goody" Goodrich) features seven new songs as well as a few choice covers, and arrangements of traditional songs. The album also features the young neo-gospel group Ollabelle, who bring a complementary loveliness to Smither's "Seems So Real" and additional resonance to the traditional "John Hardy." The renowned roots musician Tim O'Brien plays mandolin and fiddle all over the record, and also harmonizes with Smither, Sean Staples and Anita Suhanin on the lilting title track. Atypically, Chris tackles topical themes on "Origin of Species" (which he says is "making fun of dummies") and the edgily political "Diplomacy," which harkens back to his roots in the '60s folk scene. Also different this go round is Smither's bold and surprising decision to arrange Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" in 6/8 time (he credits his friend Steve Tilston for the suggestion) which results in a track of otherworldly beauty.

Listen to the Title Track:

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Chris recently performed at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia for the series "Live Fridays", produced by NPR and member station WXPN. You can listen to Chris's performance on the NPR website.

Just released is the brand new guitar instructional DVD, Chris Smither Teaches Six Outstanding Fingerpicking Arrangements. It includes the songs "No Love Today", "Drive You Home Again", "Visions of Johanna" (Dylan), "Get a Better One", "Leave the Light On", and "Blues in the Bottle" (Lightnin Hopkins) and you can order your copy online now.

Chris was recently featured on the WBUR (Boston) NPR program Here & Now and you can listen to the piece in their archives.

Chris was recently featured on the NPR program Weekend Edition and you can listen to the piece on the NPR website.

Want to give us a hand? Click the link below for a list of radio stations around the US who are playing Chris's new album, Leave the Light On - find your local station and give them a call or drop them an e-mail to request a song. One call goes a long way!

List of Radio Stations

Sixty Things To Do When You Turn Sixty is a collection of essays (including one by Chris) that speaks to the reader who has or will soon turn 60. The collection includes essays that are practical, covering subjects like health care, fitness, finance, and business, and also essays that are more reflective, more whimsical, or more reassuring, or just plain laugh-out-loud funny. All royalties are donated to cancer research.

On her latest album, The Girl in the Other Room, Diana Krall covers Chris's song "Love Me Like a Man". The album, which also features songs by Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Mose Allison, and Elvis Costello, is in stores now.

Click here to purchase Chris's album Another Way to Find You featuring his version of the song.