American Singer, Songwriter & Musician

Jordan Smith | Biography

Winner of 'The Voice' Season 9 (2015)

• By Ashna Tamrakar
• Original : May 16, 2022

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Who is Jordan Smith?

Jordan Smith is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was interested in singing from a very young age and later continued his passion throughout his college education by joining the singing group at Lee University.

He rose to prominence in 2015 after winning season 9 of the singing program The Voice. Smith was the reality show's first artist of the season to hit No. 1 in pop song demands in the iTunes Store and established new sales records on Billboard charts during his stint on The Voice. 

In 2022, he represented Kentucky in the American Song Contest, placing third with the song 'Sparrow.'

Also Read: Broderick Jones - American Song Contest, Net Worth, Music - Biography

Early Bio

Jordan Mackenzie Smith was born in Whitley County, Kentucky, on 4 November 1993. He was born to musicians Kelley and Geri Smith (née Saylor), who raised him in the House of Mercy congregation in Wallins Creek, Kentucky, where he was involved in the church choir.

Smith graduated from Harlan County High School and later went to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, for his further education.

In 2012, he won the annual Poke Sallet festival's Poke Sallet Idol competition. 

Winner of 'The Voice' Season 9

Smith shot to fame after appearing on season nine of The Voice in 2015. His audition play of 'Chandelier' led all four coaches to turn their chairs. However, Smith chose Adam Levine's squad after Levine remarked, "I think you're the most important person that's ever been on this show." 

It was not the first time he had auditioned for the show; however, he was rejected the first time. Even after being approved for his performance, he had reservations until the feedback began to stream in. "I [thought], 'Wow, people see something in me that honestly I didn't think was there.' I thought maybe I had fooled everyone! It took a lot of convincing for me to finally start seeing myself as a performer and artist." Smith said in one of his performances.

He was declared the season nine champion, winning $100,000 and a recording contract with Republic Records after the show. While the results show the finale, Smith, and Usher sang David Guetta's 'Without You.' 

His Popular Songs

Smith was the highest-selling performer to ever participate on The Voice as of December 2015. When Smith's cover of 'Mary, Did You Know?' usurped 'Hallelujah' as the No. 1 song on Billboard's Christian Songs list a week after his victory, he became the first artist ever to hold the top two places simultaneously.

Jordan Smith: The Complete Season 9 Collection was launched in December 2015, debuting at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and winning the title of "Hot Shot Debut." Two of the album's songs charted in the top 10 list on the Digital Singles chart, with "Mary, Did You Know?" debuting at No. 1. 

Smith was also appointed a Kentucky colonel by the secretary of state at a parade in his honor upon returning to Kentucky.

As of 2022, he has released three albums titled Something Beautiful (March 2016), 'Tis the Season (October 2016), and Only Love under the Republic label (August 2018). 

Some of his other popular songs include 'Stand in the Light,' 'Only Love,' 'End in Love,' 'Amazing Grace,' and 'You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch.'

Married His Wife in 2016

On 1 January 2016, Smith proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Kristen Denny. "She's been there every step of the way," he stated at the time to People. A few months later, on 25 June 2016, the couple got married in Middlesboro, Kentucky.