Founder of Substantial Music Group is Richard Smith is multi award winning composer/songwriter / producer. To date he has won 3 Emmy's, a National Addy Award, four Telly Awards, a Pinnacle Award and a Cindy Award by the Association of Visual Communications.
A two term NARAS Governor for the Atlanta chapter, he is the recipient of a Silver Medal for the New York Cinema and Advertising Festival and a national Clio Award. As a composer for agency an television some his commercial clients include: Coca Cola, CNN, Budweiser, Nissan, Pizza Hut, IBM, Superstation TBS, Bellsouth.
Prior to entering the world of production Richard weathered several world tours as guitarist and hired gun for Supergroups such as Earth Wind & Fire, Kenny Loggins,Air Supply and Donny Osmond and international stars like French legend Michel Polnareff and Latin star Emmanuel.
As a session guitarist he has recorded on countless records including those by artists Aretha Franklin, Lynryrd Skynyrd solo projects as well as recordings for the great record producer Jerry Wexler of the famed Muscle Shoals Studios.
As an Actor Richard played the role of Til in the Academy Award winning film "RAY" the life story biopic of Ray Charles. He also provided the guitar work for the films music sequences.The movie was directed by Taylor Hackford (Officer and a Gentleman, Devils Advocate) and stars Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles
"Over the years I made the migration from musician over to the promoter / agency owner side or as I jokingly like to say the dark side Smith laughs" Our advantage as a boutiique & personal service agency is I've been on all sides of the industry. which gives us a unique perspective both on the business side and the artist side. Many agencies only care about their client relationships. We serve both artist & client for a win/ win