Born in Brunswick Georgia, Mike
Smith moved several times during his youth- to Jacksonville Florida,
Nashville Tennessee, and Gadsden Alabama. While an 8th grader in
Gadsden, Mike joined the band as a drummer but soon switched to trumpet and
quickly became the first chair player (it wasn’t that Mike was that good; it
was just that the band was that bad). At the end of his 8th grade
year, Mike’s family made their final move to Fort Oglethorpe, graduating
from Lakeview High School in 1975. It was during those high school years
that Mike and this cute young Drill Team member named Diedra Beavers noticed
each other; they celebrated their 23nd wedding anniversary in
2003.
After high school, Mike’s trumpet sat in
the case for about 10 years until he joined the orchestra at Fort Oglethorpe
First Baptist Church. Several years later Mike became a charter member of
the Mid-South Concert Band. He served as its president for 5 years. In 1994,
Mike and several others from the community concert band decided it would be
fun to play in a big band again- the Mid-South Jazz Band was born. This band
evolved to become Sweet Georgia Sound. Mike worked tirelessly as the big
band’s manager during those early years.
Mike Smith and his trumpet have performed with numerous pit orchestras
around the Chattanooga and North Georgia area, including 10 seasons at the
Signal Mountain Playhouse. Mike has also subbed with the Legionnaires Big
Band. Several years ago, Mike marched in the Super Bowl Parade in Tampa,
Florida with the "Second-Time Around" Marching Band of St. Petersburg. Mike
was once a "ringer" in the Jacksonville State Alumni Band, although he never
attended there. In addition to Sweet Georgia Sound, Mike continues to play
with the Fort Oglethorpe First Baptist orchestra and Praise Bands.
Several years ago, the acting bug bit Mike and became a serious hobby.
Mike has performed in musicals and plays, including those at the Chattanooga
Theater Center, Backstage Dinner Theater, Family Theater Workshop, and Leap
of Faith Productions Currently, Mike is enrolled as an acting student at
Chattanooga State.
For the last 16 years, Mike has been the owner of Dixie Drafting Service.
He is also a building contractor and has built several houses. He is office
manager for Choice Travel. Mike is also a ballroom dancing enthusiast and a
former runner (including 4 marathons).
