We are pleased to announce that one of America's foremost Blues/Roots Singer/Songwriter/Guitarists, Chris Smither, is launching his 2013 Australian tour at Blue Beat, promoting his critically-acclaimed new album, 'Hundred Dollar Valentine'.

New Orleans-born Smither is known for his brilliant, yet understated, fingerpicking blues guitar, his intelligent, wry lyrics, and his 'equal parts gravel and molasses' voice. Bonnie Raitt has made his song 'Love Me Like a Man' her signature tune, and is so impressed with Chris that she has referred to him as "my Eric Clapton".

His new album, 'Hundred Dollar Valentine', is a studio record of all Smither originals - the first time he has released an album of all original songs.. With longtime producer David "Goody" Goodrich at the helm, this newest collection sports the unmistakable sound Smither has made his trademark: fingerpicked acoustic guitar and evocative sonic textures meshed with spare, brilliant songs, delivered in a bone-wise, hard-won voice.

Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for more than 40 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original. As 'Acoustic Guitar' magazine wrote, Smither sings about "the big things - life, love, loss - in a penetrating and poetic, yet unpretentious way". And with 'Hundred Dollar Valentine', he's at it again!

"Bathed in the flickering glow of passing headlights and neon bar signs, Smither's roots are as blue as they come. There is plenty of misty Louisiana and Lightnin' Hopkins in Smither's weathered singing and unhurried picking."

ROLLING STONE

"Chris Smither's songs seem so casual everyday language drawled over fine blues fingerpicking and the happy tip-tap of his shoes, that it's easy to overlook how artful and deep they are. Smither is now at the peak of his creative powers."

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

"His ability to take the emotion at the heart of a song, make it transparent and pass it on to the listener is unmatched. Smither's rich, deep, emotion-charged voice and his exquisite guitar playing imbue these simple thoughts with a profundity forged out of genuine passion."

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Website: http://smither.com/

PLEASE NOTE:

TICKET SALES
Should online tickets be unavailable for sale in the purchasing section above, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 for ticket availability.

DINNER BOOKINGS
FOR ALL Dinner bookings, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 prior to purchasing tickets in the section above.
$24 Main Meals (Entree and Desserts extra)

TIMES
DOORS OPEN at 7.00PM
DINNER SERVICE COMMENCES at 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS around 9.00PM

AGE RECOMMENDATIONS
This venue is 18+ recommended, so if you are under 18 and would like to come to the show, please call (02) 9328 4411 for further information.