This blog marks a monumental moment for Jamie Goode Studios as we officially launch our Music Mavens of Texas spotlight series. There was no question who our first artist had to be.

I recently had the honor of shooting the new branding session for the incomparable April N Smith. Beyond her stunning presence in front of my lens, I had the privilege of designing the cover art for her upcoming single, "This Though," set for release on February 13th.

April isn't just a singer; she is a force of nature. Below, she opens up about the 20-year hiatus that led to her greatest blessing, the reality of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, and the "God-designed" love story that inspired her best vocal performance to date.

Music Mavens of Texas: A Spotlight on April N Smith

The Moment of Purpose

For some, music is a hobby. For April N Smith, it was a physiological shift. At 12 years old, spurred by an advertisement her grandmother found in the paper, April stepped onto an Opry house stage. It was her first time fronting a live band.

"I was so nervous I could feel my insides shaking out," April recalls. "But I remember the rush through my whole body as the band started that signature lick at the beginning of 'Grandpa' by the Judds. I’ll never forget that moment... it was in that moment that I found purpose. My why. And I was changed forever because of it."

The 20-Year Blessing

While many artists view a break in their career as a setback, April views her journey through a lens of gratitude. She took a two-decade hiatus to raise her children—a choice she calls a blessing rather than a hurdle.

"It did postpone my career by 20 years, but I think that was how it was intended to be," she says. "My perspective is much different than it would have been if I would have had even 1/10 of this success when I was younger."

As an independent artist, she is candid about the financial weight of the industry—from distribution and promotion to stage clothing. Yet, looking back, she sees a divine architecture. "When I sit back and connect the dots of what relationships had to be made in order for the next connection to be built, I am awe-struck at the design of it all!"

Standing Her Ground

The music industry is notoriously male-dominated, and April has had to find the strength to assert her authority as the owner of her own brand. She recalls a pivotal moment with a former manager who attempted to cross the line from professional to personal business.

"In the end, it meant having to let him go... but it had to be done," she explains. "Otherwise I would have been a doormat forever. It wasn’t just his career, it was MINE. My name was on the marquee sign. My face was on the show poster." This experience taught her that while she is a "people pleaser" at heart, she possesses a backbone of steel when it comes to the things she loves.

The Evolution of a Voice

April’s voice has matured across three distinct arenas:

1. The Personal Voice: Growing from a "cowering" 20-something to a business owner who is vocal when things don't "sound or feel" right.

2. The Stage Voice: Developing the ability to hold an audience captive and connect with every person in the room.

3. The Studio Voice: April credits producers like JB Patterson and now Greg White at SG Studios for pushing her out of her comfort zone. Regarding her new single, she notes: "I finally feel like someone captured my sound correctly!"

"This Though": A Song Meant to Be

The irony of April’s new single, written by Tim Schlesener, is that she didn't write it—yet it tells her life story with eerie precision.

After eight years of being divorced and resigned to being alone, April met her partner, Rusty, at a small hometown restaurant show. "He spent the rest of the evening singing harmony with me from his table right next to the stage," she shares.

The song "This Though" mirrored a real-life moment April had last spring while working on lyrics as Rusty strummed his guitar on the porch. "I thought, 'I didn't know love like this existed.' And just a few weeks later, I got this song. I felt every single lyric."

A New Era of Strength

Having a partner who understands the business—loading gear, driving while she sleeps, and acting as a sounding board—has allowed April to show up with 110% confidence. To April, strength has evolved from a need to "prove herself" to the freedom of living without worrying about the opinions of others.

Her advice to the next generation of women in music is simple: "Never let anyone steal your joy! Believe in yourself. At the end of the day, it is all you have."

"This Though" releases everywhere on February 13th. As April steps into this new chapter, she hopes listeners feel the 180-degree turn her life has taken. From the hurt of "Enough" to the healing of "This Though," this is the sound of a woman who has found her way home.