Holly Smith

Holly’s journey in country music started in 2013, when she went on a trip around the musical cities of the United States on the Greyhound bus.

A descendent of four pianists - one of whom escaped her husband, bought a Harley Davidson and fulfilled a dream of attending the Royal College of Music - Holly had no interest in guitars, but did have an interest in rebellious women.

When she walked into a Nashville honky tonk to hear a singer in white cowboy boots perform a cover of Kacey Musgraves’ My House', she experienced a musical awakening she’s been chasing ever since.

Coming from a journalism background, with stories in The Times, the Evening Standard and the Mail on Sunday, Holly has conducted interviews with royalty, politicians, authors and musicians, while making appearances on Sky, Channel 4 and Radio 5.

As a country music journalist and podcaster, Holly is a co-host of the podcast Strokes of Country, in association with Broken Bow Records, and a writer, reviewer and playlist creator for platforms including Holler and Whynow.

Holly has also interviewed stars such as Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, Margo Price, Joshua Ray Walker, Lukas Nelson, Brandy Clark and many more. As a performer, Holly sings at City Academy and has performed DJ sets at festivals such as The Long Road.