Honed melodies, finger-picked acoustic guitar, and freshly phrased lyrics characterize the music of singer-songwriter William Smith. With two independent releases and years of performing to his credit, Smith's unassuming musical character and intimate style welcome the listener into a carefully crafted musical landscape that balances the subtleties of musical and lyrical detail. Whether pitting farcical lyrics against slow, simplistic melodies or coaxing sorrow from a low-tuned guitar to complement a ballad, Smith plays with his lyrics and turns phrases for listeners who appreciate the stories behind songs. A sampling of tunes from Smith's 1999 release, Unvarnished, and his 1997 debut, Looking Forward to Looking Back, reveals creative perspectives and challenging subject matter. Turning, Turning (a song that chronicles the life of a doorknob in an historic home), Little Padiddle (the metaphorical tale of a broken marriage), Give Me Back My Life (a poignant documentation of the suffering of an Alzheimer's patient), and Tailwind (a runner's perspective on perseverance) embody the provocative, but universal nature of Smith's music. His background in literature reveals itself in Rye Fields (a semi-finalist in the First International Songs Influenced by Literature contest) and maggie and milly and molly and may (an adaptation of E.E. Cummings' work). Born and raised in New Jersey, and currently residing there with his wife and two children, the singer-songwriter-guitarist and high school English teacher performs as frequently as his schedule allows, utilizing recess for writing, performing, and recording new music. Smith travels throughout the Northeast's best bookstores, cafes, and acoustic music venues playing his brand of intelligent folk-pop and has opened for nationally acclaimed performer Greg Greenway at the Minstrel Coffeehouse in Morristown, New Jersey. In Their Words... "...James Taylor-like music. Smith's smooth voice glides over acoustic tales in a folk-style that was popular long before he was in high school. His songs tell stories." - The Asbury Park Press "Intelligent folk songs dramaturgically sung. These are well-arranged compositions. William Smith incorporates sporadic literary references in many of his songs, but not with any of the salient pretension found inside the songs of many coffee shop performers. His acoustic guitar is refreshing in its recorded warmth and naturally reverberating tones. -Eric Shea, Listen.com "Contemporary folk music with an emphasis on the basics, acoustic guitar and excellent vocal harmonies... Creatively arranged and well-written songs that shine through with a style of their own. Smith's lyrics refreshingly avoid cliches, ranging in context from introspectively personal and autobiographical to light-hearted and humorous." -The Madison Eagle "His material is fresh and original. His inspiration comes from everywhere." -Borders Books and Music, Oxford Valley, PA "Smith will charm you with his well-written lyrics and (he) entertains with the soothing sounds of his acoustic guitar. This performer's audience returns again and again...easy listening enjoyment." -Rosalie Baum, CRC Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Clark,NJ "The ten song CD (Looking Forward to Looking Back) is full of humorous and autobiographical lyrics." -The Leader