Ray Smith (singer, 1918)

Ray Smith (born June 25, 1918 in Glendale , California , † December 4, 1979 ) was an American country singer and musician.

Life

Ray Smith grew up in Glendale , California . He started playing the guitar when he was eight . He became interested in music at an early age, especially hillbilly music , which was just about to rise. But his father tried to push him to study law. Smith became a member of a rodeo show that was touring the United States against his father's wishes . Soon he came to New York City , where he got a job at the WMCA radio station.

With two friends he performed in bars and pubs in the evenings. On one of these appearances, he got the opportunity to audition for an employee of Columbia Records . Soon the label signed Smith. In addition to many appearances in New York State , he released numerous records, including his most famous play Daddy's Little Girl . In the early 1950s he got his own radio show on the WCOP radio station in Boston . He also made regular appearances in the WCOP Hayloft Jamboree , a country show that was broadcast live on the radio. He later released records with London Records and Coral Records and appeared on the national television network Dumont Television . But as rockabilly and rock'n'roll hit the music market and country music literally lost all of its popularity overnight, Smith began to decline too. He only appeared in the Hayloft Jamboree until this show was also discontinued. Then he retired from the music business.

Ray Smith died on December 4, 1979 at the age of 61.

Web links

• Ray Smith on hillbilly-music.com