MAL SMITH & THE SINNERS CHOIR

Texas Grit, Gospel, and the Sound of Something Real

By: Brian Sprague 03/04/2025

Somewhere between the neon hum of a Texas honky-tonk and the shadowy corners of a whiskey-drenched dive, Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir have carved out a reputation that’s as raw and unapologetic as the music they play. Their sound isn’t just heard—it’s felt. A collision of outlaw country, blues, and gospel-drenched Americana, it’s the kind of music that grips your soul and doesn’t let go.

And now, with their latest single “Just Kids” making waves and set to land a coveted spot on the Texas Country Countdown, it’s clear that their music is more than just a passion project—it’s a movement.

From Barroom Hymns to Ballads of Truth

At the heart of it all is Mal Smith, a songwriter who doesn’t just tell stories - he lives them. With a voice that carries the dust of every backroad he’s traveled and lyrics that cut deep like a switchblade, Smith is quickly becoming one of Texas music’s most compelling figures.

His journey into music reads like a classic outlaw tale: cutting his teeth in roadside bars, drowning heartbreak in whiskey, and pouring every ounce of lived experience into songs that feel both intimate and universal. Over the years, he’s surrounded himself with a band that matches his fire—The Sinners Choir, a rowdy, soul-stirring collective that blends blues swagger, folk poetry, and gospel harmonies that could shake the walls of a southern church.

‘Just Kids’ and the Next Big Step


With their latest single “Just Kids,” Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir prove they aren’t just making music—they’re capturing moments in time. Steeped in nostalgia, longing, and the haunting realization that youth is fleeting, the song is both a love letter and a reckoning.

Built on a foundation of rocking guitars, knife edge lyrics, and harmonies that send chills up your spine, “Just Kids” feels like it was made for late-night drives and quiet moments of reflection. And now, it’s poised for something bigger. With airplay on the Texas Country Countdown, the song is reaching ears far beyond the dive bars and dancehalls where it was born.

For a band that’s spent years winning over audiences one show at a time, this is more than just another milestone—it’s a turning point.

A Sound That’s Built to Last

What sets Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir apart isn’t just their musicianship—it’s their authenticity. Their music pulls from the best of Texas storytelling: the poetic grit of Townes Van Zandt, the rebel spirit of Steve Earle, and the soul-stirring fire of Chris Stapleton. But this isn’t imitation—it’s reinvention.

Every song is a confession, a sermon, a glimpse into a life lived without shortcuts. Whether they’re belting out a barn-burning anthem or stripping things down to a quiet, aching ballad, the band’s music never feels forced. It’s music for the restless, the heartbroken, the hopeful. It’s music that means something.


What’s Next for Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir?

With “Just Kids” climbing the charts and momentum on their side, Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir are just getting started. A full-length album is on the horizon, and rumors of a Texas-wide tour are swirling.

For the fans who’ve been with them since the beginning, this moment feels like a long-overdue breakthrough. For those just discovering their sound, it’s the start of something unforgettable.

One thing’s for certain: Mal Smith & The Sinners Choir aren’t just another band passing through. They’re here to stay, to tell their stories, and to remind the world that real music—the kind that shakes you to your core—is alive and well in Texas.