(Battle of Liberty Gap) Valerie Smith has been known as a country artist with styles that range from bluegrass, blues, and gospel music.

During the release of the album, "Patchwork Heart", a song written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and performed by Smith, Red Clay Halo, would reach the Bluegrass Unlimited Radio Survey, Country Music and Americana reporting charts and remained on the list for five years.

"Bluegrass in the Schools" and "American Roots Music" continues to be presented throughout United States, Europe, UK, and Canada[8] where Smith performs very frequently.

Tom T. Hall was featured on the guitar for the recording of song, "Sit Down and Cry" on Valerie's third release, "No Summer Storm".

During the year of 2003, it has been described that her music had been received with widespread critical and popular acclaim in the world of bluegrass (Bluegrass Now Magazine, June 2003, page 27, written by Joe Romano) Bill Vorndick and Ralph Stanley included her on the Grammy-nominated CD, "Clinch Mountain Sweet Hearts"[11](which includes Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell and many other female country singers).

She recovered the ability to sing strongly and continued to record a duet CD with singer/songwriter and award-winning Becky Buller, "Here's a Little Song".

The album, Small Town Heroes had a number 1 debut song, "Something About a Train" on the Roots Music Report for 6 months.