THE SONGBIRDS

Taylor Barton and G.E. Smith make beautiful music together.

Taylor Barton: In the late ’80s, G.E. and I met on the set of Saturday Night Live, where he was the bandleader and co-musical director. I was brought in by Patricia Birch, renowned choreographer of Grease, to do a Valentine cameo on the show. That night, G.E. played “Stormy Weather,” while I did a romantic dance. When did I realize we were meant to be together? It took about 10 Dylan shows and G.E. to fly in from all over the world on his day off. G.E. had moved to Amagansett in 1981, when he was working for Daryl Hall and John Oates. Although we lived in NYC part-time, we felt at home in the Hamptons. Artists and writers were among us. The proceeds of the never-ending Dylan tour bought our first house. I totally support G.E.’s every endeavor. I manage his affairs. He just likes to show up onstage. Performing together is a beautiful intimacy between any musicians, but he totally underscores my intent when on stage. I had to work through massive stage fright in the beginning, turning up at places like Siné, following people like Jeff Buckley. G.E. believed in me when I didn’t believe I was the real deal. I’m good at pushing a project to fruition. I’m a closer in the music world. Producer is the title, but I can see the big picture both as a songwriter and a writer. G.E. is the tougher critic. He holds me to the highest standard. Early on in our relationship, G.E. would play a beautiful lick, and I would take off and write a full song. That amassed into many songs. G.E. helped me own my work. Our Portraits music series is now headed for its eighth year. Bringing A-listers to our theaters out East in the Hamptons was a natural progression of our careers. G.E. is a consummate host. I’m inspired by many working couples. Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. Working with your husband has a myriad of conflicts, but you can choose to be someone who is part of the solution. All of us show women know how to let our men be stars… and we make them.

G.E. Smith: We work face to face. It eliminates the stale, flat digital world. Recently we were working on a Joan Armatrading song, both invested in our own interpretation—we’d ask ourselves in the process, How can we make it shine while paying homage to her? I was lucky to have been at the pinnacle of the rock revolution. Knowing and playing with the pioneers has given me the tools and experience to communicate to audiences. We always strive for integrity, whether on stage, or producing a show for the community. Taylor is one great songwriter and a stellar bridge writer. She just recorded four beautiful new songs. She can hold her own in the songwriting arena. As a producer, if Taylor even thinks of something, in the next 48 hours it’s booked. She’s a gold mine.

“WHEN DID I REALIZE WE WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER? IT TOOK ABOUT 10 DYLAN SHOWS AND G.E. TO FLY IN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ON HIS DAY OFF.”