By Connie Strong

“Puppies Eat Pizza!” “Christmas is Fun!” “I’m Just Like You!”  These three songs may not knock the “musician du jour” off the Billboard Top 100, but these songs are “hits” nonetheless. Sponsored by The Bugle Boy, singer/songwriter Darden Smith brought his Be An Artist Program to La Grange Intermediate on Dec. 11, 2009, and by the end of the event, Darden and the eager students had made a CD!

Because of his desire to see kids value their own unique creativity, Darden founded the Be An Artist Program in 2003. Through this worthwhile project, Darden encourages school children to find their own talent. “Do what makes you happy and give it your all” is the principle idea behind this successful endeavor.

Adapted for children of all ages, the Be An Artist Program has been presented in the states as well as in France, England, and Germany. Darden teaches children that “artists are not created,” rather it is an inherent gift within each of us, and he uses music to encourage children’s creativity.

According to teacher Nancy Hajek, of La Grange Intermediate, “The kids really loved listening to Darden, especially getting to contribute to writing their own songs. They got a big kick out of being able to hear their songs played back so quickly!”

Darden says, “The Be An Artist Program continues to bring the message to students that everyone is an artist.  The trick is to find what your interests are and then pursue them.  The time spent at La Grange Intermediate was great.  Growing up in Brenham, I remember being that kid in the back of the class who felt a little different than the norm.  If someone had come to my school and told me that I was OK, and that I should pursue my crazy dream of being a musician and songwriter, it would have saved me a lot of time later on!”

It’s a long way from Mill Creek to Paris, but Darden Smith has successfully made the journey.  Playing by his own rules and armed with an arsenal of talent, soul and “luck,” this Brenham native has 12 critically acclaimed albums to his credit and is currently working on an interpretive presentation for the theater.  “Marathon” is a theme song-cycle that is being adapted for stage through University of Texas Performing Arts Center.  The album is due to be released in September 2010 and the stage production is set to begin in spring.

Although his success is a true testament that life can flourish outside of “Bluebonnet Country,” Darden speaks fondly of the region and attributes much of his inspiration to his years spent in Washington County. “Naomi Simon, my fifth grade guitar teacher, introduced me to Neil Young’s ‘Harvest’ and ‘After the Gold Rush.’”

After his family moved to the suburbs of Houston in 1976, 13-year-old Darden began to spend hours of alone-time, writing.  Suffering from culture shock, he let the musical influence of Guy Clark, John Prine, Bob Dylan and Leon Russell shape his musical taste into a style that is now uniquely his own.  This pensive adjustment phase would pave the way for the release of his first album in 1986, “Native Soil,” for which Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith provided harmony vocals.  Later, in 1993, he hit the pop charts with “Loving Arms,” which he performed during a guest appearance on the “Tonight Show.”

From that point, Darden has gone on to open for Stevie Nicks and Joan Baez, has given a performance with “Austin City Limits,” and has performed in 48 states. He is also widely recognized in Europe, having reached #3 on the BBC2 radio charts with the hit single “After all this Time” from his 2002 “Sunflower” CD. Recorded in an adobe house in Ojo Caliente Hot Springs, New Mexico in 2006, “Ojo,” is his first live CD. In 2009, Darden released yet another CD, “After All This Time,” which includes cuts from all 10 of his acclaimed albums.

What’s next?  Darden says, “I’ve been co-writing a lot here in Austin, which is good, and I’m also going to Nashville quite often to write.  There will be at least three trips to Europe this year, to do shows and [share] the Be An Artist Program… in Germany, France and the UK.  Sarajevo is a possibility.  ‘Marathon’ comes out in September, so around that time I’ll be doing more dates in Texas and the U.S.”

In December, Darden will again be performing at The Bugle Boy. “The Bugle Boy is a great place to perform, because that’s the whole point of the place — performance.  Basically it gets down to Lane, and all the people who work there.  They mean for it to be nothing short of a great place to hear music.  So when you walk into a place like that how can you not be inspired?”

Mark your calendars for Dec. 10, 2010. You’ll come for good music in a “laid-back” atmosphere. After witnessing Darden’s soulful presentation of life’s raw emotions, you will leave with a renewed appreciation for high musical standards, and an acquired respect for one of the industry’s finest Texas musicians.

Oh, and if you bump into one of those 4^th graders, be nice! Some day you may see that student on the top of Billboard charts, and you’ll be able to look back and say, “I knew him when…”

And the former student will be able to say, “Thanks, Darden.”

You can support the work of The Bugle Boy with an online donation to The Bugle Boy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.