Reif Center's 'Cozy Concert' series kicks off with Kelley Smith

By Malachy Koons

Published March 12, 2025 at 10:36 AM CDT

Kelley Smith, a woman with long blonde hair sits with her legs crossed on a couch and her hands resting on her knees. An acoustic guitar rests besides her on the couch. She is on a porch with a window behind her. — Kelley Smith.

The Brainerd folk musician is playing the Ives Theater on March 15, 2025, the first of three spring concerts.

When we last spoke to Kelley Smith in 2022, she had just released her debut project, Moon Child, as a 40-year-old mother of four.

In the years following that release, she has continued to build her audience through steady gigging around the state.

Smith has a busy spring lined up with a Minnesota and Wisconsin tour on the way. Fellow singer-songwriter Sarah Morris will join her. Before the tour starts, Smith will kick off a new concert series in Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 15, at the Reif Center. The "Cozy Concert" series will feature singer-songwriters in the intimate Ives Theater. After Smith, Jed LaPlant plays April 5, and Amanda Grace on May 22.

Three people playing music in a radio studio. Closest to the camera is a person facing away from the camera, wearing black and holding an acoustic guitar. Next is a violinist in a white blouse, then another guitar player facing the camera with long blonde hair. — Jed LaPlant, Ariana LaPlant and Kelley Smith at KAXE on March 5, 2025.

Smith recently stopped by KAXE on Headwaters to share a preview of her live sound, joined by occasional backing band Jed and Ariana LaPlant of Wild Horses, who will be at the "Cozy Concert" show. The trio played two songs in studio: a newer original tune called "Little Match Girl" and the folk traditional "Wayfarin' Stranger."

Listen to the live session and interview above.