Grammy-nominated roots and bluegrass artist Valerie Smith continues her chart-climbing momentum as her latest album, Maggie‘s Journal, lands at #2 on the January 2026 Folk Alliance International Folk Charts. The release also boasts one song in the Top 20, and Smith earned the distinction of being the #3 overall artist on the charts this cycle. In addition, the track “Started Wrong in This Life” recently debuted at #13 on the Bluegrass Today Grassicana Chart.
Praised for its emotional depth, masterful songwriting, and Smith’s unmistakable voice, Maggie’s Journal has resonated strongly with folk DJs, tastemakers, and audiences worldwide. It has also quickly become a favorite among critics who have described it as “a monumental achievement. Valerie Smith has not just released an album; she has curated a museum of the soul” (Christian Lamitschka, Country Music News International Magazine), and “a most meaningful and emotionally impactful set of songs” (Lee Zimmerman, Bluegrass Today).
Additional accolades for the project:
“The ambitious album is a trip. Almost cinematic in scope. You can ‘picture’ the characters in your mind as they’re spoken about. Well written, performed & respectful of a person & her era which has long gone. Divergent lives coming together (Maggie & Valerie) to celebrate a singular life….. Music doesn’t get much better.” – John Apice, Americana Highways
“Maggie’s Journal is one of the most ambitious roots albums I’ve encountered in recent memory. Comprised of impressive songwriting, gorgeous vocal performance, and keen instrumentation, Valerie Smith and producer Donna Ulisse have crafted an album that serves as a memorable and enjoyable capstone to Smith’s twelve-year journey bringing Maggie’s story to fruition.” – Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee
“This record is incredibly personal, and seeing it embraced so warmly by the folk community means everything to me,” said Smith. “I’m deeply grateful to the DJs, listeners, and Folk Alliance members who continue to support independent artists and roots music.”
Capitalizing on the album’s growing momentum, Smith is taking Maggie’s Journal on the road with a 2026 tour that brings the songs directly to audiences in intimate listening rooms, festivals, and select venues nationwide. The tour underscores Smith’s enduring connection with live audiences and highlights the personal, story-driven nature of the new material.
Official 2026 tour dates are as follows:
Friday, March 20 Withlacoochee Festival (Spring Edition) Dunnellon, FL
Thursday, May 21 – 24 Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival McClure, VA
Thursday, May 28 Graves Mountain Music Festival Syria, VA
Saturday, May 30 Nepa Bluegrass Festival Tunkhannock, PA
Thursday (July 16), July 15 – 18 W. VA’s Branch Mountain Bluegrass Festival Moorefield, WV
Friday and Saturday, August 21 – 22 Pickin’ In The Pasture Bluegrass Festival Lodi, NY
Friday, September 4 – 6 Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival McClure, VA
More dates to be announced on http://www.thevaleriesmith.com/.
Smith will also be unveiling “Maggie’s Journal,” the live musical, at The Patsy Cline Theater in Winchester, VA. Further information will be released soon.
About Maggie’s Journal
A true labor of love, Maggie’s Journal was 12 years in the making and seamlessly blends bluegrass, Americana, and roots traditions into a vivid sonic tapestry. Original songs intertwine with spoken-word excerpts taken directly from Maggie’s handwritten journal—discovered decades after her death by Smith’s cousins, Kathy Jones Eads and Fonda Wells, tucked away inside a “Car Load Tablet” buried in an attic trunk.
What emerged from those pages is the gripping, unvarnished truth of a woman married young to a violent man, carving out survival in rural Missouri while hiding a gentle spirit behind a hardened exterior. Her words reveal a life shaped by hardship yet defined by strength, offering powerful insights into American history, women’s and children’s rights, education, and the enduring human spirit.
Crafted with deep reverence, Maggie’s Journal stands as a unique collaboration between Smith and the ancestor she never met. The album’s emotional range spans the haunting reflection of “That Was A Long Time Ago,” the tender hopefulness of “Alva’s Lullaby,” and the gripping narrative of “Jim O’Dell, Straight From Hell.” Each track channels Maggie’s story with authenticity, dignity, and grace.
Smith’s evocative lead vocals—described by NPR’s Dave Higgs as “sassy, sultry, siren-like”—anchor the project with emotional authority. She is joined by an exceptional cast of harmony vocalists including Donna Ulisse, Josie Smith, Mike Rogers, Rosa Vestal, and Aaron Vestal, whose voices enrich the album’s cinematic storytelling.
The instrumental core features world-class musicians Cody Kilby (acoustic guitar, mandolin), Stephen Burwell (violin), Evan Winsor (upright bass), and Scott Vestal (banjo), whose performances breathe life and movement into Maggie’s world.
Produced by acclaimed songwriter and vocalist Donna Ulisse, Maggie’s Journal draws its lyrical depth from the writing partnership of Ulisse, Smith, Daniel Crabtree, and Ann Miller. Recorded at Tim Carter’s Tree House Studio in Ridgetop, TN, and Scott Vestal’s Digital Underground in Greenbrier, TN, the project was engineered with exceptional care by Carter and Vestal.
Chris Latham’s masterful mixing and mastering provide a polished yet soulful finish, while David Lynch’s stunning CD design with a 32-page booklet and John Murray’s breathtaking artwork visually mirror the album’s emotional core—bringing Maggie’s story to a global audience with the reverence it deserves.
Maggie’s Journal is available at Smith’s website at https://thevaleriesmith.com and on https://ampl.ink/MvQDp. For more information about the project, visit https://thevaleriesmith.com/maggie-s-journal.
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