True Source Entertainment (TSE) is focused on how the world interacts with music and entertainment today.

Media and content made by artists, for the purpose of building and enhancing our community experience.

TSE was founded by artist Joshua Caleb Smith in 2009 to support the efforts of his first band, Stereofox. Since then, what once was just a company to distribute and publish his personal music became a full service production and brand development company. In time, a team was built, partnerships forged, and we became the label, publishing, production and label services company that the company is today.

The name, “True Source Entertainment”, has significant meaning. True is a family name, one that traces back to the port of New Orleans, where the first Italian immigrant in Smith’s family, an 11 year old boy, arrived with only a suitcase and a banjo/ukele from Sicily generations ago. This boy would later go on to establish what became the oldest Italian restaurant in New Orleans, “Tortorichi’s”, in the french quarter.

Though the business sold in the 1980s, a placard remains, marking the family history and heritage of the building. The family would go on to host the greatest pop and jazz singers of early to mid century, with the children of the family forming a quartet called “Double Escort” performing at the restaurant on occasion.

Today you can see the old banjo/ukele hanging in Smith’s home studio, next to 5 old, tattered hats worn by a lineage of farmers from Oklahoma, hard working men with grit an determination, and creativity. One of these hats was his grandfather’s, born of this motley crew, a classical composer and music professor. The other hats worn by the uncles and parents of his grandfather’s generation.

So, “True Source” is a reference to family and where part Smith’s roots in music began. But is also a reminder to connect to the source of our creativity, why we do what we do – whatever that means to the artist. Art for art’s sake. When done well, and with authenticity, this is the best form of entertainment.

Tortorichi’s Restaurant in New Orleans, French Quarter, circa 1930s