Shinedown is a popular rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, that has been active since 2001. The band is known for its hard rock, alternative metal, and post-grunge sound, and has released seven studio albums and 18 number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts. The lead singer of Shinedown is Brent Stephen Smith, who is also the founder and main songwriter of the band.
Brent Smith was born on January 10, 1978, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He started his musical career as the vocalist of a band called Dreve, which was signed by Atlantic Records in 2000. However, the record label dropped the band and kept Smith as a solo artist. Smith then moved to Jacksonville and formed Shinedown with bassist Brad Stewart, guitarist Jasin Todd, and drummer Barry Kerch. The band released its debut album, Leave a Whisper, in 2003, which eventually went platinum. The band followed up with Us and Them in 2005, The Sound of Madness in 2008, Amaryllis in 2012, Threat to Survival in 2015, Attention Attention in 2018, and Planet Zero in 2022.
Smith has also collaborated with guitarist Zach Myers on an acoustic side project called Smith & Myers, which released two EPs in 2014 and two albums in 2020. Smith is known for his powerful vocals, emotional lyrics, and charismatic stage presence. He has also struggled with substance abuse, weight issues, and depression in the past, but has overcome them with the help of his bandmates and fans. He has also been vocal about his political views and his support for various causes, such as mental health awareness and animal rights.
Smith has a son named Lyric Santana Smith with his ex-fiancée Ashley Smith Marshall. He is currently engaged to Teresa Collier, who is also his personal trainer and nutritionist. Smith lives in Los Angeles, California, but often visits his hometown of Knoxville. He was presented with a key to Knox County by Mayor Glenn Jacobs at a concert in Knoxville on August 28th, 2022.
Smith is still the lead singer of Shinedown and continues to tour and record with the band. He is also working on new music for Smith & Myers and his solo career. He is widely regarded as one of the best rock vocalists of his generation and one of the most influential figures in modern rock music.
