Gary developed his diverse musical background honestly. His teenage years in the South gave him a healthy dose of The Allman Brothers Band that created the framework. Moving back to his birthplace of Los Angeles at the age of 20, he was fortunate to have a variety of teachers and influences.  His biggest influence came by spending time with jazz great, Joe Diorio.  Joe taught Gary about musical approach and technique, but Gary says that by simply sitting and having coffee with Joe, he gained an understanding of creative thinking and humility that is impossible to learn from any book.

So spending most of his musical life primarily a blues and jazz-influenced guitarist in Los Angeles, Gary Dean Smith performed, worked and recorded in the L.A. rock collaboration, Force Of Souls. In the studio, Force of Souls enjoyed respected musical icons Ginger Baker, David Lindley and others lending their talents to the first FoS album of original progressive rock songs. More recently, Gary’s tenure with L.A.’s Kari Gaffney Band started a long friendship with Greg Gaffney who encouraged Gary to step out as a singer-songwriter. Gaffney’s friendly urging and persuasion paid off and led Gary to write and release his impressive debut solo CD of original Americana tunes, “No Liquor”.  

In 2011, Gary's songwriting began to get more attention. He landed licensing deals for 9 of his original songs with a Florida-based label. 2 more of his songs have been placed in the Rockband video game library.  They are "Diana Don't Slow Down" in the Rockband Country library and his soulful "Fair Weather Friend" in the Rockband Blues library.  His original tune "Your Gentle Soul" will appear on the Celebrate Recovery album to be released in the fall of 2011.