Ernie Smith: The Man & His Music
Glenroy Anthony Smith is the firstborn son of, Arthur George and Linneth Smith. He has eight siblings- three brothers and five sisters. His family had an inherent love of music. His father played the guitar and his mother sang in the church choir. The whole family sang during their many Sunday drives. Ernie performed in school concerts and plays. After high school he formed a singing group with four of his brothers and sisters. He later formed a band- the Vandals- with members of his family and friends. His dream was to become a Radio Announcer. At the interview they told him, "Don't call us, we'll call you". He then presented himself as a songwriter, to Federal Records. He told them, "I have written this song, maybe you could find someone to record it". He sang his song with piano backup. They told him, "We have a band coming in at 2, you stay and record it." So began the professional musical career of Glenroy Anthony Smith who became fondly known as ERNIE SMITH, with his original composition "I Can't Take It". Johnny Nash later recorded it as "Tears On My Pillow".
Ernie's made an indelible mark on Jamaican music. Hits followed in quick succession, - Bend Down, Ride On Sammy, One Dream, Pitta Patta and Duppy Gunman.
In 1972 at World Popular Song Festival of Yamaha Foundation in Toyko, he won the Grand Prize with his original composition of "Life Is Just For Living", competing against songwriters like Neil Sedaka, and Michael Legrand.
Ernie became the first Jamaican musician to win an international music award. For this historic achievement, he became the first musician in the field of Popular Music to be honored by the Jamaican Government with the Badge of Honour for meritorious service in the field of popular music. In 1976, Ernie was forced into exile in North America because of what was considered to be conntroversial political commentary in his song, "As We Fight One Another For The Power And The Glory, The Kingdom Goes To Waste". Ironically, the once-banned song is still relevant and even more popular today. Decades after its release, it is the 'battle song' for Jamaican talk shows and community activists.
In the first 3 of the 13 years in exile from his homeland, he thrilled audiences in Canada and the Diaspora. Critics hailed his album "To Behold Jah" as one of the most important albums to come out of Canada for the year 1979. Ernie is renowned for bringing Reggae to mainstream Canada.
Ernie has written well over 200 songs, several of which have been recorded by other artists, including Johnny Nash, Rita Marley, Chakka Demus and Pliers, Sanchez, Twiggy, Ken Lazarus, John Jones, Judy Boucher, Goldie Hawn, Eddie Lovette, Yellowman, Grace Thrillers and others.
Ernie played on many of the world stages including repeat perfomances at Madision Square Garden - New York, Place de Nacion - Montreal; Camp Fortune - Ottawa; Ontario Place, Alexander Palace, Convocation Hall - Toronto; The Martinez Ballroom - Cannes, Monaco, Disney World - France; Rio - Brazil; Taejon, Muju Resorts - South Korea; Nippon Budokon Hall - Tokyo; Europe, at venues such as Henry J. Bean Club, Brussels; San Marino; Milan, Rome - Italy; Holland, Switzerland, Germany; East and West Coast of the USA as well as middle-America including July Jam Festival, Lincoln, Nebraska; Belize City, Belmopan, Punta Gorda - Belize; Guyana, several Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, Trinidad, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Maarten, Caymen Islands, St. Kitts and Jamaica, his homeland.
As well as performing with Jamaica's foremost bands, Ernie has the distinction of the being the premier solo act, performing as far afield as Germany, Italy, South Korea, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, France, UK and the USA.
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