At just 23 years old, Louisiana native singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist, Payton Smith, has a lot to celebrate. Smith began releasing music in 2019; quickly amassing over 50 million streams on his debut single, “Like I Knew You Would”. Known for not only high-energy guitar slinging and smooth vocals, the CMT 2021 Listen Up artist also composed and played every string instrument on each track of his debut project.

As Taste of Country noted his “raw talent, authenticity and strong work ethic are bound to bring him country music success for many, many years” as one of 2021’s Hottest Country Artists Under 25. Music Row called Smith the 2021 Next Big Thing, while “Like I Knew You Would” charted as the number 7 song of the year on Spotify’s Hot Country.

Payton Smith signed with Combustion Masters in late 2022, releasing “Missed The Boat” in early 2023, marking a new era of music, being produced by Combustion’s Chris Farren. Smith’s debut album, What Colors Your Wild, was released on March 19th, with playlisting features on Apple’s New In County, Spotify’s New Music Friday Country and Tidal’s Country Waves, Rising: Country and Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country. Payton is hitting the road this year throughout the country opening for Lee Brice, Kolby Cooper, Conner Smith, George Birge and more.