Lane Smith doesn’t just sing country — he lives it.
Born and raised just north of San Antonio in Spring Branch, Texas, the rising artist didn’t take the typical road to Nashville. Before stages and studios, Smith spent his days dodging hooves and adrenaline in the rodeo ring as a bullfighter. Now, the boots are still on—but they’re pacing festival grounds and iconic venues as he emerges as one of country music’s most exciting new storytellers.
On April 11, Lane Smith released his sophomore album Austin, a 10-track collection that blends his rugged background with a sharp musical evolution — fusing country roots with shades of rock, pop, and alternative. It’s personal. It’s unpredictable. And above all, it’s real.
“It’s over a year’s worth of work finally getting to see the light of day,” Lane tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “The reactions have been great—I’m just grateful for all the awesome feedback!”
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Despite the album being named after Texas’ capital, Austin represents far more than a geographic nod—it’s a turning point in Lane Smith’s journey as a songwriter and sonic risk-taker.
“I listen to so many different genres that I’m a fan of,” he explains, “so I wanted a little taste of all of that combined with country-written lyrics.”
And it shows. From the heartbreak-laced nostalgia of “Bleed” to the clever twist of “I Bought a Ring” — a song that sounds like a romance but flips expectations on their head — Smith has mastered the art of writing from the gut while pushing the boundaries of what country can be.
The title track, “Austin,” is the emotional anchor of the album and, in Lane’s words, the one that hits closest to home.
“If I had to describe the album in three words, it’d be: Rock On Baby,” he jokes, before adding seriously, “and Austin means the most to me right now.”
What makes Lane Smith so compelling isn’t just the music — it’s the lived-in perspective he brings to it. A rodeo background isn’t just a cool bio line; it’s a foundation for how he sees the world, deals with pressure, and tells stories with fearless authenticity.
“It’s a huge part of my everyday life and always will be,” he says. “It helped me mature at such a young age and gave me a strong mindset… all playing towards well-written songs.”
That mindset has already taken him from writing rooms in Nashville to sold-out venues across North America. He’s played the legendary Gruene Hall, supported acts like Chase Matthew, Matt Stell, and Colt Ford, and, most recently, experienced a career-defining moment in Quebec.
“Just me, my guitar, and 700 people who loved every second,” he reflects about the three-night run with Dave Fenley. “Best memory to date, for sure.”
More is on the way — Lane is currently touring with outlaw country staple Creed Fisher through April and May, before heading back to Canada for five more shows with Fenley. “The one I’m most excited to play live right now? Good Thing Goin’, for sure.”
Of course, we had to ask for a few Celeb Secrets. When it comes to surprises, Lane keeps it humble — but still dropped a fun little gem.
“I don’t know about the album really, but I did also play lacrosse growing up and was actually All-State… so that was pretty cool haha.”
And while he’s tight-lipped about what’s next, something big is clearly on the horizon.
“There are a few announcements I can’t talk about yet,” he teases. “But I can hint at… a possible signing with someone, somewhere, some place haha.”
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In a time when country music is increasingly shaped by genre-blending, emotional transparency, and road-earned stories, Lane Smith feels perfectly positioned to lead the next generation. He doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, doesn’t force an image—and doesn’t play it safe.
He’s not chasing trends. He’s building something real. One honest lyric, and one sold-out room, at a time.
“Keep your head down, write good songs, stay out of any sort of drama, and always be true to yourself as an artist,” he says. And clearly, he’s doing just that.
So whether you’re discovering Lane for the first time or have been streaming since “Stone Cold Sober,” Austin is the kind of record that sticks with you long after the last track plays. And if this is what Lane Smith sounds like now, we can’t wait to hear what’s next.
Don’t forget to let us know what you think of Austin by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
You can connect with Lane by giving him a follow on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
LISTEN TO “AUSTIN” HERE:
