'Big Sexy' is going big band. What does that mean? Music column

“Big Sexy” is going Big Band.

No, Shawn Smith isn’t going to be playing Glenn Miller. But the long-time solo artist (who made the above-mentioned nickname famous during his run to the battle rounds on NBC’s The Voice) will be performing select shows with an expanded ensemble.

The Shawn Smith Band, which recently made its debut at a Levitt AMP series show, consists of Shawn on vocals and guitar, Lenny Milano Jr., who has drummed with bands like Soundbarrier, POORtIM, Nikki and the Dappers, and Brass Knuckle Intercourse (among many others); guitarist Jake Lozo, who got his start with Uncle Charlie & The Meatballs, and is currently actively fronting his own band The Jake Lozo Band; former Lonesome Dove keyboardist Matt Miglore; and bassist Trent Carrig, who played with Trampoline Jetstream.

Even before forming the band, Shawn wasn’t exactly struggling to keep busy, what with a stint with Showtime, a duo with His Honor Justin Smithson (POORtIM) and an ever-growing solo career.

So, with all that going on, why would Smith decide to undertake this new challenge?

“I felt like getting that full sound was the next step in my musical career,” he explains. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve built a pretty solid solo show with my live looping. It doesn’t compare to a full band.”

“You can’t put a price on that full band sound.”

But whatever the configuration, Big Sexy doesn’t expect his approach to change,

“Playing music in any capacity is where I want to be. Solo, duo, band, it doesn’t matter to me,” says Shawn. “I just want to entertain and have some fun.”

Not surprisingly, given Smith’s background, the band’s repertoire will be primarily Country top 40, featuring artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Zac Brown Band, Florida Georgia Line, and Old Dominion, with the diverse backgrounds of the band members adding an interesting twist. While Shawn, Matt and Lenny have played together for years, the two new additions bring something different to the table.

“I was looking for something new. New faces. Trent comes from a jam-band background, with Jake coming from blues,” notes Shawn. “They were both up to trying something new and a little out of their comfort zone. And they are killin’ it.”

Smith also knows what it will take to stand out among a crowded local Country music landscape.

“I think the key is going to be staying current with the latest country hits,” promises Shawn. “If there’s a new song out there that keeps you dancing, we’re going to learn it.”

Don’t worry, Shawn Smith’s solo acoustic journey will continue. You can check his upcoming dates on social media.

The next scheduled appearance of the Shawn Smith Band will be August 29 at the Celtic Harp.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Music column: Shawn Smith Band to perform at Celtic Harp in August