EARLVILLE – The Earlville Opera House welcomes blues master Chris Smither with a whisky voice accompanied by the crystalline, eloquent sounds of his finger-picked acoustic guitar on Saturday at 8 p.m. Smither’s enduring career is a testament to the talents he has brought to world of acoustic blues. He is expanding that realm with the June release of Hundred Dollar Valentine on Signature Sounds. The recording is his twelfth studio record and the first that has all Smither originals. WSKG generously sponsors this performance.

The Boston Globe describes Chris Smither as one of “the finest acoustic guitarists anywhere in American music,” and judging by Smither’s success as a musician, it is clear that this opinion has been both widely and lastingly held. Chris Smither gained national attention for his astounding contributions to the folk blues movement, but to solely categorize him in this musical realm would certainly not do justice to his talents. According to American record producer Ray Ellis, “With a finger-picking guitar style that is equal parts Lightnin’ Hopkins and Django Reinhart, and a baritone voice borne of Jack Daniels and Leonard Cohen, Smither transcends categorization.” He has taken the craft of blues guitar and has expertly added a distinctive and personal touch.