Sometimes an artist’s name is right on the money. Having been a frequent traveler through the Carolinas, there is an immediate image conjured up when this moody, haunting version of country-folk starts filling up the room. You can see and feel the influence of the Blue Ridge Mountains on Chris Smith, lead singer-songwriter and core creative force of Carolina bound. The simplicity of the songwriting is refreshing, and they’re incredibly easy to listen to, especially on a lazy weekend afternoon. Smith’s vocals are vulnerable, sweet, and melancholic in their delivery of lyrics steeped in country and folk traditional topics of love, loss, and life experiences. There is nothing groundbreaking in that, just the comfort of knowing this troubadouresque type of performer continues to work in the background while trends fade in and out.”