Woodruff Native Travis Smith Keeps Making Music Rooted in Faith, Family and Friends

The Woodruff Times published a profile on July 10, 2026, by staff writer Katina Rice-Davis, of Woodruff native Travis Smith, the founder and frontman of The Travis Smith Project.

The sound: The band mixes country, soul, R&B and gospel. According to the paper, it has played festivals around the Southeast, including Fall for Greenville, Bele Chere in Asheville and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia. Smith has also shared the stage with gospel artist Vashawn Mitchell and blues musician Mac Arnold. The group draws its players from across the Upstate.

Hometown roots: Smith started singing as a small child in the choir at Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church, and he credits the church with developing his gifts. At Woodruff High School he was drum major for the Marching Cadets, winning three Best Drum Major awards and the 2005 Best Male Vocalist award. He names Stevie Wonder and songwriter Jeffrey Steele as major influences on his writing.

The music: Over more than a decade, Smith has released four albums, including Childhood and Matters of the Heart. He told the paper his songs center on faith, family and friends, and that the small-town values he grew up with in Woodruff keep him humble.

What is next: The paper reports the band plans to keep touring behind its current albums and to produce at least two new music videos later this year.

This is our own summary of reporting by The Woodruff Times. Read the full story at the source link.