Photo by Ashley Goad Photography

The 24-year-old singer will perform a song called “Summerville” about Flowertown in the Pines.

Photo by Ashley Goad Photography

Irene Smith, an 8th-generation Summerville resident, will be performing songs about the south at the Flowertown Festival.

Summerville musician Irene Smith will entertain Flowertown Festival attendees Saturday with her southern-style singing and guitar playing, offering listeners a taste of her deep southern roots.

“I just discovered the term ‘Americana,’” Smith said. “It’s folksy, country (and) Christian. I write about family, the South, shrimp and grits, God, southern life.”

The 24-year-old, 8th generation Summerville resident and has been writing her own music for the past seven years. Several songs were written specifically about Flowertown in the Pines.

Smith plans to sing the song “Summerville” to the festival crowd as well as at the Sunset Serenade at The Ponds, to be held at the community’s outdoor amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday.

“Summerville is the most amazing, small town to grow up in; it’s classic America, I would never want to grow up everywhere else,” Smith said. “Vanilla cokes at Guerin’s Pharmacy was a staple of my childhood.” The cold treat is mentioned in her Summerville song.

Another song, “Home to Charleston,” has been popular with audiences, Smith said. Her music reflects simple, calming melodies that focus on her personal lyrics and finely-tuned soprano voice.

Smith will be performing these songs and more at the Taste of Summerville event during the festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The sunset serenade performance will be from 6:45 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. where Smith’s sister, Lydia Smith, 20, will accompany her on the violin and with backup vocals. The sisters will be opening for the Summerville Community Orchestra.

“I’m a little nervous about the Sunset Serenade because it’s in front of a whole orchestra,” Smith said. “But, it’s my town (and) I know people here (and) I’m excited.”

Smith began her musical career with private voice lessons, and soon became a member of the St. Paul’s Church Choir. She attended an overseas creative music program and has been playing ever since. She graduated from Charleston Southern University.

Although singing isn’t her full-time job, Smith enjoys playing music at different venues in and around Charleston. She will be going on a tour to Nashville in April with Charleston Christian musician David Childs.

To hear Smith’s music, visit www.myspace.com/irenesmith. Her Summerville song has recently been added to the site. She can also be reached at 475-9540 or Irene.rose@juno.com.

Contact Jenny Peterson at 873-9424 ext. 216 or JPeterson@journalscene.com.

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