Aaron E Smith was born on November 25th 1991 in Muncie, Indiana. Aaron’s mother discovered Aaron had talent at a very early age of 2 when he was beating on pots and pans. She instantly knew that her 3rd and youngest son would be a drummer. Aaron was very musical like his mother. His mother, father, and mother’s best friend Keith O’Neal knew that god had given Aaron a talent at the drums.
Aaron played his first church service at Christ Temple Global Ministries at the age of 8. The minister of music at the time Keith O’Neal knew that god put a very special anointing on Aaron at a very young age. Keith then started working on Aaron about flowing in the sprit and being very sensitive to the sprit of god. This is something Aaron learned at a very young age. Aaron began learning how to read drum set, and snare music at the age of 9. Aaron learned, and caught on very quickly to reading both drum set, and snare music.
At the age of 13 Aaron began playing at a national level with Keith O’Neal’s group Keith O’Neal and Expression of Praise (which is signed with EMI Gospel) touring all over America. Keith O'Neal and EOP is a great mix of contemporary praise and worship with a rich gospel sound! Keith O'Neal, is also the Pastor of Destiny Christian Center International in Muncie, IN. Keith O'Neal and EOP have traveled extensively both nationally and internationally spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through worship and praise seminars, 3 CD projects, and concerts. Praise and Worship is a lifestyle and KOEOP lives what we sing about! You may now see Keith O'Neal and Expression of Praise's latest CD entitled "We Lift Your Name" in your local Walmart, Best Buy, Family Christian, or wherever you purchase your music. You may also find it online here: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5065329. Aaron this day still tours with KOEP. Aaron also plays for a contemporary jazz group called The Dave Helms Project. The Dave Helms Project is a group of great musicians working together to play some great Jammin' Jazz and Funk along with smooth jazz and ballads and a few pop tunes for good measure. While this group is mostly an instrumental group driven by sax melodies, the guitar and keys are featured heavily. The rhythm section is solid with funky drums and bass. You'll hear influences of Victor Wooten, Maceo Parker, Grover Washington, Najee, Norman Brown, Miles Davis, David Sanborn, Funkadelic and much more. www.dhproject.com
Aaron is now 18 years old. He is a Senior at Muncie Central High School where he is the lead drummer in jazz band, section leader in concert band, and also drum line leader in marching band. He attends and plays drums at Destiny Christian Center International in Muncie, Indiana. Aaron has a lot of professional experience at the drums and he wants to continue his drumming career at a bigger and deeper level when he goes off to college at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. His influences are; Joe Elliott, Trevor Woodgett, Jenson Person, lil Greg, Aaron Spears, Ronald Bruner, Tony Royster jr., Dave Weckl, Calvin Rodgers, Darrell Robinson, Eric “booty” Green, George “Spanky” McCurdy, Keith Harris, Rex Hardy, Teddy Campbell, and Thomas Pridgen