Nashville (1975)

So Long Mr. Carl Smith!

Carl Smith, legendary country singer and original honky tonk hitmaker, died on January 16 at his home in Fanklin, TN. He was 82. Smith, affectionately called “Mr. Country,” was also the ex-husband of June Carter Cash and a respected veteran who had over 30 No. 1 hits throughout his career which began in the 1950’s.

A native of Maynardville, TN, Smith was known for his special brand of country music love songs such as “You Are The One,” “This Orchard Means Goodbye,” “(When You Feel Like You’re in Love) Don’t Just Stand There,” as well as hits such as “Hey Joe!,” “Let’s Live a Little,” “Cut Across Shorty,” “Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way,” and “Loose Talk.” According to a country music blog, upon his retirement in the latter part of the 1970’s, Smith was officially inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2003.

Smith’s long career first began in 1944 when he served in the military during World War II at the WROL radio station in Knoxville, Tennessee. He then performed alongside bands and artists such as Skeets Williamson, Molly O’Day, and Archie Campbell. Around that time, Smith was also writing songs and producing demos, one of which reached Troy Martin, who at that time, was an executive for Peer-Southern. Martin, in turn, brought the demo to Jack Stapp, a WSM Nashville executive, and Don Law, producer for Columbia. On the strength of his demo, Smith was signed to the label, and the rest is history.

In 1950, he appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as the guest of Hank Williams who also performed that same day; he eventually became a regular until 1956. His first hit with Columbia, “Let’s Live a Little,” came the following year and peaked at the No. 2 spot in the charts. Within a year, he had more hits including the classic country music love songs “If Teardrops Were Pennies” and his first No. 1, “Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way.” This same year also marked his marriage to June Carter, whom he would later divorce. His daughter with Carter, Carlene Carter, later became a country singer just like her famous parents. In 1957, Smith married another singer, Goldie Hill, who passed away in 2005.

As mentioned in another country music blog, aside from his hit songs, Smith was also known as one of the first group of young country stars to cross over to television and movies. Smith appeared on the “Main Street Music Hall,” and other shows such as “Stars Of Country Music.” In 1961, he also made a guest appearance on “Four Star Jubilee,” a country television series which aired over at ABC. Smith would eventually go on to host his own show, “Carl Smith’s Country Music Hall” for US and Canadian audiences.  

As a successful singer, Smith stayed with Columbia Records until 1975, and then transferred to ABC/Hickory. It is with this label that he eventually decided to announce his retirement in the latter part of the 1970’s.

Known for his unique brand of country music love songs, Mr. Country will surely be missed by his fans and by the entire Nashville community.

About the Author

Joe Hansen is a music expert, specialized in country songs reviews.

For more tips and information about country music love songs, please visit country music blog

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VINTAGE 1975 Red Coca Cola 75th Anniversary Tray -- 11 x 13.25 -- Coca Cola Bottling Works of Nashville Inc. VINTAGE 1975 Red Coca Cola 75th Anniversary Tray -- 11" x 13.25" -- Coca Cola Bottling Works of Nashville Inc....

Nashville [VHS] $14.95 This 1975 film sits near the top of any list of the best films of the 1970s, perhaps in the top five and, in some people's minds, at the pinnacle itself. Robert Altman, at his most Altmanesque, spins together plot strands involving two dozen people over the course of one particularly busy weekend in Music City, USA. Though several of the story lines deal with country-western stars--played by Henry...

Nashville $3.94 This 1975 film sits near the top of any list of the best films of the 1970s, perhaps in the top five and, in some people's minds, at the pinnacle itself. Robert Altman, at his most Altmanesque, spins together plot strands involving two dozen people over the course of one particularly busy weekend in Music City, USA. Though several of the story lines deal with country-western stars--played by Henry...

Nashville $17.09 This 1975 film sits near the top of any list of the best films of the 1970s, perhaps in the top five and, in some people's minds, at the pinnacle itself. Robert Altman, at his most Altmanesque, spins together plot strands involving two dozen people over the course of one particularly busy weekend in Music City, USA. Though several of the story lines deal with country-western stars--played by Henry...

Nashville Saturday Night Various Artists Record (Vinyl) 1975 $14.95 Nashville Saturday Night Various Artists Record (Vinyl) 1975...