Smiley started playing guitar at the age of 16. He was into bands like Racer X, Yngwie Malmsteen, TNT, Whitesnake, Blue Murder, Ratt, and Guns n’ Roses. When he turned 21 he decided to take lessons with Derek Sherinian (Planet X) and turned his focus in playing keyboards. After one year of lesson, he joined AWAKE a Dream Theater tribute band. Then a year later, he joined PRYMARY as a full time keyboard player.