Rising Stars: Meet Jason Smith of Columbus

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Smith

Hi Jason , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Bertha Hill Music is a talent management and booking agency I started with the goal of supporting artists, curating unique events, and building a strong music community. Over time, we’ve had the opportunity to bring some really exciting projects to life, one of the biggest being The Smokin’ Section. The Smokin’ Section is a collaboration between myself and Levi Brown, an incredibly talented musician who serves as the bandleader for the project. Together, we created The Smokin’ Section as a kind of ‘house band’ for Bertha Hill Music, pulling together musicians from different backgrounds and genres to serve as the core for our special events and projects.

At its heart, The Smokin’ Section is all about the love of music, community, and collaboration. Levi and I share a passion for breaking down barriers between different music scenes and bringing artists together in ways that audiences may not expect. That’s what makes the Smokin’ Section special – the band evolves based on the project we’re working on, whether it’s backing an artist like Levi for his own shows or regularly performing with BHM artist/rapper OG VERN.

One of our upcoming events that I’m really excited about is the Illogic show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his album Celestial Clockwork. Having The Smokin’ Section back a legendary artist like Illogic is a true example of what we’re trying to do: bring together diverse talents to create something fresh and memorable for both the artists and the audience. Each performance with The Smokin’ Section is an experience of its own, drawing on the talents of everyone involved and giving these artists a chance to collaborate in new ways. It’s been an exciting journey, and we’re just getting started.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most things in music, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Building something like Bertha Hill Music and The Smokin’ Section takes a lot of work, and there have been plenty of challenges along the way. One of the biggest has been balancing the creative vision with the business side of things. In the music world, it’s easy to get caught up in the passion and excitement of creating, but there’s also the need to stay organized, manage logistics, and make sure that every project comes together the way it should. Juggling those responsibilities with fulltime jobs can be tough.

Another struggle has been finding ways to bring together artists from different scenes and make those collaborations feel authentic. Music is deeply personal, and every artist has their own style and voice. The challenge has been creating a space where musicians feel comfortable and inspired to step out of their comfort zones, try something new, and be part of something bigger. It’s a balancing act to honor each artist’s individuality while also bringing everyone together under a shared musical vision, but it’s also thrilling when artists trust us to try something new and see what can happen when we lean into collaboration.

And then there’s just the reality of building something new from the ground up – finding the right partnerships, venues, and opportunities to showcase what we’re about. We’re out here fighting for the right to entertain you and to do it with an authentic connection and at an affordable cost! The relationships we’ve built along the way sustain us and keep us going and continues to slowly make us stronger. Every struggle is an opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen the music community we’re trying to build. For every challenge we’ve faced, there’s been a reward – like seeing the magic that happens when The Smokin’ Section takes the stage with different artists or watching an idea we’ve been working on come to life. It’s those moments that make the hard work worthwhile.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Bertha Hill Music, we’re all about collaboration, artist advocacy, and creating unique live experiences that bring people together. I’m proud to partner with amazing musicians like Levi Brown to bring our vision to life through projects like The Smokin’ Section and events like the upcoming Illogic show. We believe that by working together, we can create an undeniable buzz that will force people to look at Columbus and recognize the extraordinary amount of talent that exists here. Columbus is often overlooked when it comes to the arts, and we’re passionate about showing the world that this city has something special to offer.

What sets us apart is our commitment to fiercely fighting for artists’ rights and creating opportunities for them to elevate their exposure and grow their brand. We don’t believe in staying within musical silos; our philosophy is simple: genres don’t matter, only art and performance do. We work hard to break down barriers between different styles and scenes, helping artists connect with a wider range of audiences and bring fresh, exciting collaborations to the stage. It’s about being true to the art and ensuring that our artists have the freedom and support to thrive.

We’re also incredibly passionate about fostering a sense of community through live music. It’s important to us that every event we host feels welcoming, where people from all walks of life can come together and enjoy the universal experience of a live performance. Our slogan is ‘You Are Invited,’ and we mean that – we want everyone to feel like they’re a part of what we’re building. A great example of this is our upcoming Ripple event series, kicking off with our first show on October 13 at Summit Music Hall, benefiting the Ohio Domestic Violence Network’s Lifesafer Fund. It’s a special unplugged, acoustic concert that brings together local artists across genres for a night of powerful performances, all while supporting an important cause during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This show, and others like it, are what we strive for – bringing people together to enjoy incredible music while making a positive impact in the community. We want everyone who comes to our shows to feel connected, whether they’re coming to see their favorite artist or just exploring something new. The sense of togetherness that live music can create is powerful, and that’s what we aim to deliver at every event.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/berthahillmusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesmokinsectionband/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/berthahillmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHjc31HNBS6PAwmYzssSzQ
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/berthahillmusic