 She began writing poetry at age 3, with a poem published in the "Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans" while in the second grade, music at age twelve and at age fifteen took second place in A Prairie Home Companion's 'Talent from 12-20' contest on May 8, 2004, performing "It Don't Rain Much" and "Twilight Red".A studio recording of "Twilight Red" would be included on her debut album.Producer T-Bone Burnett noticed Smith and took her into the studio to record her debut album, "Myth of the Heart", which was released in 2010 and described as a "hybrid of folk, Americana, country and bluegrass".