In 1997, he formed "Gideon Smith & The Dixie Damned" with friends Otis Hughes and Boo Duckworth; who were formerly of the PolyGram Records act, Animal Bag.

After some line up changes, Smith recorded the debut album Southern Gentlemen at the Sound Farm in Indian Trail, North Carolina.

The album was mixed by Al Sutton (who also worked with notable artists: Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, and Lynyrd Skynyrd) at the Rustbelt Studios in Detroit.

After the initial album release party was held at The Continental Club in New York City, the band went on to perform up and down the east coast.

"Draggin' The River' was also featured in the Thrillbillies Doublewide DVD starring Travis Pastrana, Andy Bell, Johnny Knoxville and Ronnie Renner in 2008.

Smith performed at the "Relay For Life" benefit in Centennial Park in Nashville, Tennessee with guitarist Jason Griscom, and recorded songs at Burns Station Sound on the Muscle Shoals mixing board.

The third full-length album, 30 Weight, was once again recorded at Rustbelt Studio in Royal Oak, Michigan and produced and mixed by Eric Hoegemyer (drummer for Luder, Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker and others) who also guests on drums and other instruments.

The title is a reference to motor oil, and also taken from a line in the song "Indian Larry" from the South Side of the Moon album that says 'blood pumping thirty weight'.

Seventh Circle Artworks in London released a custom silver Gideon Smith iron cross ring alongside their merchandise for Saint Vitus, Candlemass, Crowbar and others.

His baritone vocal style has elicited comparisons to Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury, Elvis Presley, Nick Cave and Andrew Eldritch.