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Cal Smith
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Calvin Grant Shofner (April 7, 1932 – October 10, 2013),[1] known professionally as Cal Smith, was an American country musician.
Career
[edit]Calvin Grant Shofner was born on April 7, 1932, in Gans, Oklahoma,[2][3][4][5] as the youngest of three sons of James "Otto" and Ethel (Quinn) Shofner. During the Great Depression, the Smiths headed west and settled in Oakland, California,[3] and he grew up in San Jose, California.[4][5][6] Smith began his music career performing at the Remember Me Cafe in San Francisco at the age of 15, but he was not financially successful at first. Throughout the 1950s, he was not able to continue his music career, so he worked at various other jobs, including truck driving and bronco busting. He appeared on the California Hayride television show in the mid-1950s before serving two years in the military.[7]
After his discharge, he began playing in a band in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1961, country music legend Ernest Tubb heard the band play, and after an audition, hired Smith to play guitar for his Texas Troubadours; Smith is heard playing in most of Tubb's 1960s recordings. His first solo single was "Tear Stained Pillow" / "Eleven Long Years" on the local Plaid label. Smith's stage name began to catch on after he released his second solo single, "I'll Just Go Home", in 1966 for Kapp Records, and he first cracked the Billboard chart with his second single, "The Only Thing I Want".[2]
Smith permanently parted ways with Tubb and the Texas Troubadours in 1969 and he released his first solo album, Drinking Champagne, in 1969.[8] The album's title track had reached the top 40 on the country chart the previous year, and was later a top-10 hit for George Strait in 1990.
In 1970, Smith signed with Decca Records, and his popularity quickly soared, starting off with his 1972 top-10 hit, "I've Found Someone of My Own".[8] He began recording songs written by some of the biggest names in the industry; for instance, in March 1973, his rendition of Bill Anderson's "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" became his first number-one country hit.[8] When Decca became MCA Records in 1973, he enjoyed his biggest successes. In 1974, he recorded two of his greatest hits, "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" and "Country Bumpkin",[8] which received Song of the Year Awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
Later career
[edit]Smith continued to have success with MCA Records into the late 1970s, including the top-20 singles "Between Lust and Watching TV" (1974), "She Talked a Lot About Texas" (1975), "I Just Came Home to Count the Memories" (1977), and "Come See About Me" (1977).[8] After this, he continued to have minor successes that included "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" in 1979.[2] Smith released his last album, Stories of Life by Cal Smith, in 1986 on Step One Records,[8] where he scored a minor hit that year with "King Lear".[2]
Personal life
[edit]In 1977, Smith joined entrepreneur Larry Schmittou and other country music stars, such as Conway Twitty, Jerry Reed, Larry Gatlin, and Richard Sterban, as investors in the Nashville Sounds, a minor league baseball team of the Double-A Southern League that began play in 1978.[9]
Smith and his wife, Darlene, lived in the Branson, Missouri, area. Smith died in Branson on October 10, 2013. He was survived by Darlene, his son Calvin, five grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmie Todd.[1]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US | AUS[10] | |||
| 1966 | All the World Is Lonely Now | 40 | — | — | Kapp |
| 1967 | Goin' to Cal's Place | 31 | — | — | |
| 1968 | Travelin' Man | 34 | — | — | |
| At Home with Cal | — | — | — | ||
| Drinking Champagne | 33 | — | — | ||
| 1969 | Cal Smith Sings | 34 | 170 | — | |
| 1970 | Country Hit Parade | — | — | — | |
| 1971 | The Best of Cal Smith | 41 | — | — | |
| 1972 | I've Found Someone of My Own | 5 | 191 | — | Decca |
| 1973 | Cal Smith | 20 | — | — | MCA |
| 1974 | Country Bumpkin | 4 | — | 50 | |
| 1975 | It's Time to Pay the Fiddler | 8 | — | — | |
| My Kind of Country | 17 | — | — | ||
| 1976 | Jason's Farm | 16 | — | — | |
| 1977 | I Just Came Home to Count the Memories | 38 | — | — | |
| 1986 | Stories of Life | — | — | — | Step One |
| 1998 | Cal Smith | — | — | — | First Generation |
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country[2] | CAN Country | AUS[10] | |||
| 1966 | "Silver Dew On the Bluegrass Tonight" | — | — | — | single only |
| 1967 | "The Only Thing I Want" | 58 | — | — | All the World Is Lonely Now |
| "I'll Never Be Lonesome with You" | 61 | — | — | Goin' to Cal's Place | |
| "I'll Sail My Ship Alone" | — | — | — | ||
| 1968 | "Destination Atlanta G.A." | 60 | — | — | Travelin' Man |
| "Jacksonville" | 58 | — | — | At Home with Cal | |
| "Drinking Champagne" | 35 | — | — | Drinking Champagne | |
| 1969 | "Empty Arms" | — | — | — | |
| "It Takes All Night Long" | 51 | — | — | Cal Smith Sings | |
| "You Can't Housebreak a Tomcat" | 55 | — | — | The Best of Cal Smith | |
| 1970 | "Heaven Is Just a Touch Away" | 47 | — | — | |
| "The Difference Between Going and Really Gone" | 70 | — | — | ||
| 1971 | "That's What It's Like to Be Lonesome" | 58 | 41 | — | I've Found Someone of My Own |
| "Free Streets" | — | — | — | singles only | |
| "Save My Wife" | — | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "I've Found Someone of My Own" | 4 | 13 | — | I've Found Someone of My Own |
| "For My Baby" | 58 | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking"A | 1 | 2 | — | |
| "I Can Feel the Leavin' Coming On" | 25 | 39 | — | Cal Smith | |
| "I've Loved You All Over the World" | flip | — | — | ||
| "Bleep You" | 63 | — | — | ||
| "An Hour and a Six-Pack" | flip | 95 | — | ||
| 1974 | "Country Bumpkin" | 1 | 2 | 23 | Country Bumpkin |
| "Between Lust and Watching TV" | 11 | 15 | 62 | ||
| 1975 | "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" | 1 | 1 | — | It's Time to Pay the Fiddler |
| "She Talked a Lot About Texas" | 13 | 5 | — | ||
| "Jason's Farm" | 12 | 7 | — | Jason's Farm | |
| 1976 | "Thunderstorms" | 33 | 22 | — | |
| "MacArthur's Hand" | 43 | 47 | — | ||
| "Woman Don't Try to Sing My Song" | 38 | — | — | I Just Came Home to Count the Memories | |
| 1977 | "I Just Came Home to Count the Memories" | 15 | 10 | — | |
| "Come See About Me" | 23 | 47 | — | ||
| "Helen" | 53 | — | — | singles only | |
| 1978 | "Throwin' Memories On the Fire" | 51 | — | — | |
| "I'm Just a Farmer" | 73 | — | — | ||
| "Bits and Pieces of Life" | 68 | — | — | ||
| 1979 | "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" | 71 | — | — | |
| "One Little Skinny Rib" | 91 | 42 | — | ||
| "The Room at the Top of the Stairs" | 92 | — | — | ||
| 1982 | "If I Ever Need a Lady" (w/ Billy Parker) | 53 | — | — | |
| "Too Many Irons in the Fire" (w/ Billy Parker) | 68 | — | — | ||
| 1986 | "I Know It's Not Over" | — | — | — | Stories of Life |
| "King Lear" | 75 | — | — | ||
| 1998 | "The Arizona Whiz" | — | — | — | Cal Smith |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Music City News Country Awards
[edit]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Cal Smith | Most Promising Male Artist | Won |
Academy of Country Music Awards
[edit]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | "Country Bumpkin" | Single Record of the Year | Won |
| Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Cal Smith | Top Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |
| Country Bumpkin | Album of the Year | Nominated |
Country Music Association Awards
[edit]| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" | Single of the Year | Nominated |
| 1974 | "Country Bumpkin" | Won | |
| Country Bumpkin | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| Cal Smith | Male Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Country Singer Cal Smith Dies". OzarksFirst.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 385. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ a b Dauphin, Chuck (October 11, 2013). "'Country Bumpkin' Singer Cal Smith Dies at 81". Billboard. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ a b "Cal Smith, voice of 'Country Bumpkin' and other hits, dies at age 81". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
- ^ a b Ragusa, Tammy (October 11, 2013). "'Country Bumpkin' Singer Cal Smith Dies at 81". Country Weekly. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Cooper, Peter (October 11, 2013). "Cal Smith, voice of 'Country Bumpkin,' dies at age 81". USA Today. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
- ^ Manheim, James. "Cal Smith biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 377/8. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ Woody, Larry (1996), Schmittou: A Grand Slam in Baseball, Business, And Life, Nashville: Eggmann Publishing Company, pp. 64–65, ISBN 1886371334
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 278. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
External links
[edit]Cal Smith
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Childhood and family
Calvin Grant Shofner, professionally known as Cal Smith, was born on April 7, 1932, in the small rural town of Gans, Oklahoma, to James Arthur "Otto" Shofner and Ethel Lee Quinn Shofner.[2][3][4] As the youngest of three sons, he grew up in a farming family amid the hardships of the Dust Bowl era, with two older brothers, Kennith Eugene Shofner, who served as a corporal and died in 1963 in a truck accident in Bakersfield, California, and Virgil Clyde Shofner.[3][4] The family's rural Oklahoma roots, centered on agricultural life, provided an early exposure to the simple, hardworking existence that later informed Smith's country music themes.[5] During the Great Depression, like many Midwestern families seeking economic relief, the Shofners relocated westward to California for better opportunities, settling in the Oakland area of the San Francisco Bay region.[2][1] Smith spent much of his formative years in this working-class environment, where the transition from Oklahoma's farms to California's urbanizing landscapes shaped his resilient worldview, though details of his parents' specific influences remain sparsely documented.[2] His formal education was limited, reflecting the economic constraints of the era, and he developed an early affinity for music within this modest backdrop.[6]Initial musical pursuits
Smith's initial forays into music occurred in his mid-teens following his family's relocation to California, which opened doors to the vibrant Bay Area music scene. Born in 1932, he began performing at local venues in San Francisco, making his debut at the age of 15 in 1947 at the Remember Me Cafe, where he played guitar for audiences in various clubs.[2][7] A self-taught guitarist, Smith drew inspiration from country and Western swing artists, particularly Grand Ole Opry star Ernest Tubb, whose style profoundly shaped his early approach to the instrument and performance.[6][8] In the mid-1950s, Smith served two years in the U.S. Navy, during which he maintained his musical interests through informal performances among fellow service members.[8] Upon his discharge, Smith returned to California and secured sporadic gigs in local clubs throughout the late 1950s, often supplementing his income with odd jobs such as truck driving amid ongoing financial hardships.[8][7]Professional career
Band and session work
In the early 1960s, Smith relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the epicenter of the country music industry, to pursue greater professional opportunities after performing in California-based bands.[9] This move was inspired by his initial regional gigs on the West Coast, where he honed his multi-instrumental talents including guitar and bass.[1] Smith's breakthrough came in 1961 when Ernest Tubb, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, heard him perform and hired him to join the Texas Troubadours as rhythm guitarist and emcee.[10] He remained with the band through 1969, contributing to their extensive touring schedule across the United States and appearing on numerous recordings, which showcased the group's signature honky-tonk sound.[9] During this time, Smith's steady rhythm guitar work supported Tubb's hits and helped solidify the Troubadours' reputation as one of Nashville's premier backing ensembles.[10] Following his tenure with Tubb, Smith transitioned to session and touring work in the mid-1960s, allowing Smith to build connections within Nashville's competitive music scene while demonstrating his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist.[9] Throughout this period of supporting roles, Smith developed his songwriting abilities, co-writing tracks that reflected the era's country themes, though his compositions gained wider recognition later in his career.[9] This creative growth complemented his instrumental contributions, positioning him for eventual solo success in Nashville's evolving industry.[1]Solo debut and early recordings
Smith signed his first major-label recording contract with Kapp Records in 1966, marking his transition from session and band work to a solo artist.[1] His debut single that year, "I'll Just Go Home," failed to chart, but it showcased his smooth baritone voice suited to traditional country ballads.[11] The following year, Smith's persistence paid off with his first charting single, "The Only Thing I Want," which peaked at number 67 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, introducing his emotive storytelling style to a wider audience. In 1968, Smith achieved modest success with "Drinking Champagne," a cover of the Bill Mack-penned tune that reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, highlighting themes of heartbreak and escapism central to his early sound. This track appeared on his 1969 album Drinking Champagne (Kapp Records), which, along with his 1966 debut LP All the World Is Lonely Now (Kapp Records), helped establish Smith's barroom country aesthetic—characterized by honky-tonk rhythms, pedal steel accents from his own instrumental background, and relatable narratives of love and loss.[12][13] These releases featured a mix of original material and covers, including classics like Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" on his 1970 compilation Country Hit Parade (Kapp Records), demonstrating his interpretive skills on well-known hits.[14] By 1970, Smith began earning initial songwriting credits that underscored his growing compositional voice.[15] That same year, seeking broader opportunities, he moved to Decca Records, where enhanced production and top-tier song material positioned him for greater chart impact in the years ahead.[10]Breakthrough hits
Smith's commercial breakthrough arrived in 1973 with the release of "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking," a song written by Bill Anderson that became his first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, holding the top spot for one week beginning March 3.[16] This track, characterized by its humorous yet poignant take on personal struggles, built on the momentum from his earlier top-10 single "I've Found Someone of My Own" and established Smith as a rising star in country music with his distinctive baritone delivery and honky-tonk flair. In 1974, Smith achieved his signature success with "Country Bumpkin," another number-one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for one week starting May 18, penned by Don Wayne in a narrative style that exemplified Smith's talent for storytelling ballads about everyday life and heartbreak.[17] The accompanying album, Country Bumpkin, peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, further highlighting his narrative-driven approach through tracks that blended traditional country themes with relatable, character-focused tales. Following the transition from Decca Records to MCA in 1973, Smith continued his streak of hits with "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" in 1975, written by Don Wayne and reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for one week beginning March 1, marking his third consecutive chart-topper and cementing his status during the mid-1970s country scene.[18] This period of peak success fueled increased touring and media exposure, reinforcing Smith's reputation as a quintessential honky-tonk artist whose songs resonated with audiences through their authentic, down-to-earth narratives.Later recordings and retirement
Following his breakthrough successes, Smith sustained a presence on the country charts with MCA Records through the 1970s, scoring several mid-level hits that reflected his signature storytelling style. Notable examples include "She Talked a Lot About Texas," which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1975, and "Jason's Farm," reaching number 12 in 1975. These releases maintained his visibility but marked a gradual shift toward more modest commercial performance compared to his earlier peaks. In the early 1980s, Smith transitioned to smaller independent labels amid a changing industry landscape. He moved to First Generation Records in 1984, where producer Pete Drake oversaw the album Cal Smith, featuring re-recordings of his classic hits like "Country Bumpkin" and "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking."[19] This project aimed to refresh his catalog for a new generation, though it did not yield significant chart traction. Smith later released Stories of Life on Step One Records in 1986, including the minor hit "King Lear" that briefly charted, signaling the close of his major-label era. He relocated to Branson, Missouri, with his family in the early 1990s, where he performed occasional live shows at local venues through the 1980s and 1990s, capitalizing on the area's burgeoning country music tourism scene.[6] In 1998, First Generation issued another self-titled album, Cal Smith, compiling new material and standards, but it represented his final studio effort. Smith effectively retired from full-time music by the early 2000s, focusing on personal life while occasionally mentoring emerging artists in retirement.[20]Personal life and death
Marriage and family
Cal Smith was married to his wife, Darlene, until his death in 2013.[6] The couple raised a son, Calvin, and Smith became a grandfather to five and a great-grandfather to fifteen.[6] Darlene died on May 9, 2023.[21] Smith relocated to Nashville in the early 1960s to perform with Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours. In the 1990s, he and Darlene settled in Branson, Missouri, after his retirement from recording.[3] Smith invested in the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team in 1977, alongside other country artists.[1]Health issues and death
Smith died on October 10, 2013, at his home in Branson at the age of 81.[2] A memorial service was held for Smith on October 20, 2013, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the God and Country Theatre in Branson.[6] He was subsequently cremated, with his ashes entrusted to the family.[3] The immediate family, including his wife Darlene, son Calvin, five grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, requested privacy in the aftermath of his passing.[6] Following his death, Smith received mentions in various country music histories for his contributions.[22]Discography
Albums
Cal Smith's recording career spanned over three decades, yielding a total of 14 studio albums and several compilations between 1966 and 1998, primarily on labels such as Kapp, Decca, MCA, and later independent imprints. His early work with Kapp Records emphasized traditional country sounds with honky-tonk influences, while his peak-era releases on MCA in the 1970s incorporated polished Nashville production that propelled him to chart success. Later albums featured re-recordings of his hits and original material reflective of his enduring baritone style, often produced in collaboration with figures like Pete Drake.[23][19] His debut album, All the World Is Lonely Now (Kapp, 1966), marked Smith's entry as a solo artist following session work, showcasing covers and originals in a straightforward country vein without notable chart impact. The follow-up Drinking Champagne (Kapp, 1969) achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 33 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and included the Top 40 single title track that highlighted Smith's interpretive skills on drinking-themed ballads.[23][24] During his commercial peak, Country Bumpkin (MCA, 1974) reached No. 4 on the country albums chart, serving as the soundtrack to Smith's signature hit and earning acclaim for its narrative-driven songs about rural life and heartbreak. The subsequent It's Time to Pay the Fiddler (MCA, 1975) climbed to No. 8, featuring the chart-topping title track and solidifying his status with emotive, fiddle-accented countrypolitan arrangements. These MCA releases captured Smith's most successful period, blending storytelling with accessible production.[23][25] In the 1980s, after a hiatus from major labels, Smith released Turn Me Loose (51-West, 1984), featuring covers and originals. His final studio effort, Stories of Life (Step One, 1986), included minor hit "King Lear." A 1998 compilation on First Generation, Cal Smith, offered reworks of classics such as "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" and originals like "Arizona Whiz," representing a reflective capstone to his catalog without major commercial push. Compilations like The Best of Cal Smith (Kapp, 1971, No. 41) and various greatest hits packages on later labels preserved his legacy, focusing on breakthrough singles from the 1970s.[23][19][26]| Year | Album Title | Label | Peak Country Chart Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | All the World Is Lonely Now | Kapp | — |
| 1967 | Goin' to Cal's Place | Kapp | 31 |
| 1968 | Travelin' Man | Kapp | 34 |
| 1968 | At Home with Cal | Kapp | — |
| 1969 | Drinking Champagne | Kapp | 33 |
| 1969 | It Takes Me All Night Long | Kapp | 34 |
| 1972 | I've Found Someone of My Own | Decca | 5 |
| 1973 | Cal Smith | MCA | 20 |
| 1974 | Country Bumpkin | MCA | 4 |
| 1975 | It's Time to Pay the Fiddler | MCA | 8 |
| 1975 | My Kind of Country | MCA | 17 |
| 1976 | Jason's Farm | MCA | 16 |
| 1977 | I Just Came Home to Count the Memories | MCA | 38 |
| 1984 | Turn Me Loose | 51-West | — |
| 1986 | Stories of Life | Step One | — |
| 1998 | Cal Smith | First Generation | — |
Singles
Cal Smith issued over 30 charted singles between 1966 and 1986 across labels such as Kapp, Decca, MCA, and independents like Step One. His initial releases on Kapp Records included "Accidentally on Purpose" in 1966, which failed to chart, marking an inauspicious start to his solo recording career. The following year's "The Only Thing I Want" became his first entry on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at No. 58.[10] Smith's commercial breakthrough arrived in the early 1970s after switching to Decca (later MCA). He scored his first top-five hit with "I've Found Someone of My Own" in 1972, reaching No. 4. This paved the way for three consecutive No. 1 singles, each holding the top spot for one week on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking" in 1973, written by Bill Anderson; "Country Bumpkin" in 1974, penned by Don Wayne; and "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" in 1975, also by Wayne.[10][2][2]| Single | Year | Peak Position (Billboard Hot Country Songs) | Weeks at No. 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lord Knows I'm Drinking | 1973 | 1 | 1 |
| Country Bumpkin | 1974 | 1 | 1 |
| It's Time to Pay the Fiddler | 1975 | 1 | 1 |
