Every day there is someone trying to make a living at singing, songwriting, and doing what they love. They know music defines their lives, and they want to share it with the world. Some, like John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and Jack Johnson, make it. Others try all their lives and never become more than local, unsung heroes. It becomes trial and error - sink or swim.

So what does it take to make it? Is it money, talent, friends in high places? No one really knows, but no matter what it takes, you either have it or you don’t. John Mayer, Dave Matthews, and Jack Johnson have that ‘it.’ So does Pete Schmidt.

Pete Schmidt is one of the newest additions to the singer/songwriter genre. Starting his love and interest in playing the guitar and singing while still in high school, Schmidt never took formal guitar lessons. Pete honed his rift-like sound and particularly skilled way of playing by picking out the songs he loved in his room in Alpharetta, Ga., as a teenager. He continued to perfect his sound by playing in the local high school garage band "Vital Souls."

Just as Pete learned, over the years, to make playing the guitar seem effortless, he learned to do so as well with his poetic lyrics. It is not often that the words of a song can move someone to feel strong emotions. However, Pete’s words can leave you breathless and wanting to be loved in the way his words express. Or his lyrics can choke you with sobs and heartache when they drip with the pain of lost love. One talent is enough to create a star, but combining the two is the perfect formula for genius.

Once Schmidt graduated high school in 1999, he went to school in Tallahassee, Fla., and continued to forge his musical path on the side. After making the decision to pursue music more as a career than as a hobby, Pete came home to Atlanta to start the long road of "making it."

But it seems that the rocky path of becoming well known and popular is short for some. Within six months, Pete Schmidt has broken into the small-time scene and developed quite an underground following. With the stepping stones of opening for performers like Jason Mraz and Norah Jones, and batting second in the lineup for several Southeastern summer festivals, paving the way, the road for Pete’s career is well under construction.

Yet even with a cult following continuing to rise, and a good foundation under his feet, Pete really isn’t interested in signing contracts or labeling himself. If asked what the near future holds for him, his answer of ‘nothing big’ might startle you. Feeling that he still has a lot to learn in order to become the best that he can be, Schmidt is content to have a slow assent to the top. Pete’s basic wish is for his sound to be considered ‘comfortable’ music. Music that you can drive around to, party to, chill with friends to, or enjoy while at the beach, park or the lake. Schmidt’s ultimate goal is to appeal to all forms of listeners’ tastes and moods. Whether you’re a laid back college student, a misunderstood youth, a downtown executive or a youth minister, Pete wants everyone to enjoy what he has to offer.

As of now, the best forms of experiencing Pete Schmidt and his band (Larry Woodruff, drummer and Harold Torres, saxophonist) is either through the website www.peteschmidtband.com, the EP On Your Way to Fly, (which is available on the website) or by catching Pete and the band during their current tour of the East Coast. With shows scheduled in Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, and several Midwestern states until early November, it will not be hard to find the Pete Schmidt Band performing near you.

With almost everyone out there trying to make it big on today’s music scene, it is sometimes hard to filter through all the hype. However, when it comes to creating music that appeals to the masses, and mastering uniqueness all in the same breath, Pete Schmidt has it covered. With every-man lyrics, and cool smooth melodies, Schmidt is a young man who has a firm footing on the path to success.

(B. Nicole Glaze is a Chattanooga writer/photographer whose focus is aspiring musicians throughout the Southeast. She can be reached at
grn_eyes_smiling@yahoo.com)

Pete Schmidt in Nashville
- Photo2 by B. Nicole Glaze