Guitar Center has announced Memphis-native Lanita Smith as the winner of the fourth annual Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter artist discovery program. As the winner, Smith will receive a career-boosting package including the opportunity to record a four-song EP with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was, mentorship from Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat, a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, $25,000 cash, new musical equipment, such as a Casio Privia digital piano, and more.
Out of nearly 16,000 entries this year, five finalists were chosen to perform live at the finals Friday, March 6 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA, hosted by established singer-songwriter Clara C. Following an opening performance by previous Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter winners Josh Doyle, Jeff Campbell and Tess Henley, each of the finalists took to the stage to perform live in front of the audience and judges. Colbie Caillat treated the crowd to a special live set as program judge Don Was deliberated, and ultimately, named Smith the winner.
Don Was commented, “All of the finalists this year were extremely talented and unique. What really impressed me about Lanita was her ability to take control of the stage. She had everyone in the room enraptured with her soulful songs and emotional delivery. I’m thankful to Guitar Center for supporting the arts with programs like Singer/Songwriter that continuously unearth new talent and inspire musicians across the country.”
To see Smith’s winning performance visit youtu.be/E4pQnTIsAxk.
As Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter 4 winner, Smith will receive:
• A 4-song E.P. with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was
• Mentor songwriting session with Grammy Award-winning Singer/Songwriter Colbie Caillat
• $25,000 Cash
• On-air performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! which airs weeknights at 11:35 | 10:35c on ABC
• New gear from Martin Guitar, Gibson, Shure Microphones, Bose, D’Addario, Acoustic Amps, Avid, Casio, GoPro and TC-Group
• A feature on the award-winning webseries: At: Guitar Center
• Feature story in American Songwriter magazine
“Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter 4 has already opened so many doors for me, and winning means I can continue to follow my dreams and show the world who I am as a musician. When I heard my name announced as the winner, I was filled with so many emotions. It felt like every thing that has happened in my life, all of the ups and downs, had led me to that exact moment,” said Smith.
For more information, visit Guitar Center Singer/Songwriter 4.
