An Evening with Admiral Radio

Admiral Radio, the award-winning folk/Americana act from South Carolina, is the creative partnership of Coty Hoover and Becca Smith. Named after their old wooden radio, this husband-and-wife team blends heartfelt harmonies, storytelling, and raw sincerity. Having met while waiting tables in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, their sound is straightforward yet powerful—rooted in tight vocal interplay and finely picked acoustic instruments. Inspired by the everyday, their songs explore life lessons, the quiet hustle of ordinary life, and the dogged optimism that drives it all. 

Simply put, Becca and Coty aim to leave listeners better than they found them. With a personal sincerity and honest performance, you might shed a few tears and roll with laughter. The duo has three independently-produced albums under their belt; their debut original record Sounds Like You (2020) and Songs From the Vault (2022), an EP of songs from the public domain.

 

Their latest album, Good Things Take Time (2024), has garnered critical acclaim and national radio play, with tracks like “Look Back and Learn” praised by American Songwriter for its ‘power to help and heal’. The group has also earned finalist and first-place honors in prestigious songwriting competitions around the country, including Kerrville NewFolk, the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Official Songwriter Showcase, and the MerleFest Band Competition. 

Known for their energetic and emotional live shows, Admiral Radio has shared stages with bluegrass legend Del McCoury, folkgrass icon Molly Tuttle, pop-rock sensation Judah & the Lion, and more. From humble beginnings to their growing buzz, Admiral Radio is redefining the folk tradition with every mile down America’s backroads.

-2025 MerleFest Band Competition (Current Finalists)

-2024 IBMA Songwriter Showcase Selection

-2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest (Finalists)

-2024 Tucson Folk Festival’s Stefan George Songwriting Competition (Winner)

-2024 Kerrville Folk Fest New Folk Competition (Finalists)

-2024 LEAF/NewSong Songwriting Competition (Winner)

-2024 American Songwriter Lyric Contest

-2024 The Great American Song Contest (Finalists)

-2024 International Music Video Awards (Finalists)

-2023 International Songwriting Competition (Semifinalists)

-Featured on Spotify’s “New Grass”, “Grass Roots” and “Bluegrass Covers” editorial playlists