by Mike DaRoncoTaking an early inspiration of classic country that looks up to Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Jeff Smith grit of dirt road Americana captured the feel of small town innocents. With the support of individuals from Mary Chapin Carpenter's backing band, Acetate Records debuted Smith's first album in 1996. Entitled The Human Wilderness, the eventual comparisons of Wilco, Tom Petty and Steve Earle critically resulted as Smith followed with a small U.S. tour that same year.