Jordan Smith

Jordan Mackenzie Smith, known professionally as Jordan Smith, is an American pop and contemporary Christian singer, songwriter, and musician.He rose to international prominence in 2015 as the winner of the ninth season of the television singing competition “The Voice”. Blessed with a powerful and highly emotive vocal range, Smith has carved out a unique space for himself by blending soaring pop melodies with deep gospel and Christian roots.

Before stepping onto the national stage, he was a dedicated church choir singer and a college music student.Today, Smith is best known for his record breaking vocal performances on television and his chart topping debut album, “Something Beautiful”.He has also gained significant recognition as a songwriter, notably co-writing the hit song “Ashes,” which was performed by Celine Dion for a major motion picture soundtrack.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Jordan Mackenzie Smith was born on November 4, 1993, in Whitley County, Kentucky, to Kelley and Geri Smith.Raised in the town of Wallins Creek, he grew up in a deeply musical household where both of his parents were musicians. Faith and music were intertwined from the very beginning of his life. His parents immersed him in the church choir at the House of Mercy congregation at a young age, allowing him to discover his natural vocal abilities.Before reaching a national audience, he gained local recognition in 2012 by winning the Poke Sallet Idol competition, a regional talent show held at an annual festival in Harlan, Kentucky.

Education

Smith graduated from Harlan County High School and subsequently enrolled at Lee University, a private Christian college in Cleveland, Tennessee.During his time at the university, he majored in the music business and actively participated in the Lee University Singers. His collegiate experience allowed him to formally train his voice and build the confidence necessary to pursue a professional career in the music industry.

How Their Music Career Started

While attending college, Smith decided to take a massive leap of faith and audition for the NBC reality singing competition “The Voice.” He had actually auditioned for the show once before and was rejected, but he chose to try again.During the blind auditions of the show’s ninth season in 2015, he performed a stunning rendition of Sia’s hit song “Chandelier”.His soaring vocals prompted all four celebrity coaches to turn their chairs.Smith ultimately chose to join the team led by Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, who famously told the young singer that he was one of the most important people to ever appear on the program.

Career and Breakthrough

Smith’s time on “The Voice” was nothing short of historic. Week after week, he delivered powerful performances of songs ranging from pop ballads to traditional hymns. He became the first artist of the season to reach the number one spot in pop song sales on the iTunes Store.His renditions of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “Hallelujah” dominated both the iTunes charts and the Billboard Christian Songs chart.In December 2015, he was officially crowned the winner of season nine, earning a recording contract with Republic Records.

In a historic moment shortly after his victory, Smith became the first artist ever to hold the top two positions concurrently on Billboard’s Christian Songs chart, with his cover of “Mary, Did You Know?” overtaking his own version of “Hallelujah”.

Musical Style and Influences

Smith is celebrated for a pure, angelic tenor voice that possesses incredible range and control. His musical style bridges the gap between secular adult contemporary pop and traditional Christian worship music. Growing up, he was heavily influenced by iconic voices across different genres, citing gospel legend Shirley Caesar, pop songwriter Sara Bareilles, and powerhouse vocalist Whitney Houston as major inspirations. This eclectic mix of influences allows him to transition seamlessly from quiet, intimate verses to massive, stadium ready choruses.

Notable Songs and Albums

Following his reality television victory, Smith released his highly anticipated debut studio album, “Something Beautiful,” in March 2016. The album was a massive commercial success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.He quickly followed up with a holiday album, “‘Tis the Season,” later that same year.

In August 2018, he released his sophomore pop album, “Only Love”. Beyond his work as a recording artist, Smith has proven himself as a highly capable songwriter. In 2018, he announced that he co-wrote the soaring ballad “Ashes,” which was recorded by Celine Dion for the “Deadpool 2” movie soundtrack.More recently, he shifted his focus back to his gospel roots, releasing a new project through Gaither Music in 2024.

Awards and Recognition

Smith’s phenomenal success on television translated into massive cultural impact, particularly in his home state. Upon returning to Kentucky after winning “The Voice,” he was honored with a parade and named a Kentucky Colonel by the Secretary of State.He was also recognized as the 2015 Kentuckian of the Year by Kentucky Monthly magazine, reflecting the positive attention and economic boost his success brought to his local community.In 2022, he represented Kentucky on the television program “American Song Contest,” performing his original song “Sparrow” and finishing in third place.

Personal Life

Despite his rapid rise to national fame, Smith has remained deeply grounded and committed to his roots. In June 2016, he married his longtime girlfriend, Kristen Denny. The couple’s relationship predates his television stardom, providing him with a strong foundation of support throughout his intense journey in the music industry. He continues to balance his life as a touring musician and songwriter while remaining closely tied to his family and faith.