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Cal Smith
Cal Smith
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Key Information

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

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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

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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

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Music City News Country Awards

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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

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Calvin Grant Shofner (April 7, 1932 – October 10, 2013), professionally known as Cal Smith, was an American , and guitarist renowned for his narrative-driven hits in the 1970s, including the chart-topping "," which won the (CMA) Single of the Year award in 1974. Born in the small town of Gans, , Smith moved with his family to during the , where he grew up in the area and began performing music as a teenager, initially playing guitar in local bands while working odd jobs such as driving trucks and participating in rodeos. In the late , his career gained momentum when he joined Ernest Tubb's band, the Texas Troubadours, as a rhythm guitarist after Tubb heard him perform in ; Smith toured with Tubb for six years, from 1961 to 1969, and occasionally served as lead singer, honing his skills in the honky-tonk tradition. Transitioning to a solo career in the late , Smith signed with and released his debut single "The Only Thing I Want" in 1967, which became his first entry on the charts; he later moved to Decca and then , where he achieved his greatest success with a string of Top 10 hits. His breakthrough came in 1973 with the No. 1 single "The Lord Knows I’m Drinking," followed by "" in 1974—a storytelling ballad about an unlikely romance that resonated widely—and "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" in 1975, which also reached No. 1. Over his career, Smith recorded 16 albums and charted more than a dozen singles until 1986, blending traditional sounds with heartfelt lyrics that earned him a lasting place in the genre's history; he passed away in , at age 81.

Early years

Childhood and family

Calvin Grant Shofner, professionally known as Cal Smith, was born on April 7, 1932, in the small rural town of , to James "Otto" Shofner and Ethel Lee Quinn Shofner. As the youngest of three sons, he grew up in a farming family amid the hardships of the era, with two older brothers, Kennith Eugene Shofner, who served as a and died in 1963 in a truck accident in , and Virgil Clyde Shofner. The family's rural roots, centered on agricultural life, provided an early exposure to the simple, hardworking existence that later informed Smith's themes. During the , like many Midwestern families seeking economic relief, the Shofners relocated westward to for better opportunities, settling in the Oakland area of the region. 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. His formal was limited, reflecting the economic constraints of the era, and he developed an early affinity for music within this modest backdrop.

Initial musical pursuits

Smith's initial forays into music occurred in his mid-teens following his family's relocation to , which opened doors to the vibrant Bay Area music scene. Born in 1932, he began performing at local venues in , making his debut at the age of 15 in 1947 at the Remember Me Cafe, where he played guitar for audiences in various clubs. A self-taught , Smith drew inspiration from country and artists, particularly star , whose style profoundly shaped his early approach to the instrument and performance. 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. Upon his discharge, Smith returned to 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.

Professional career

Band and session work

In the early 1960s, Smith relocated to , the epicenter of the industry, to pursue greater professional opportunities after performing in California-based bands. This move was inspired by his initial regional gigs on the West Coast, where he honed his multi-instrumental talents including guitar and bass. Smith's breakthrough came in 1961 when , a Hall of Fame inductee, heard him perform and hired him to join the Texas Troubadours as ist and emcee. He remained with the band through 1969, contributing to their extensive touring schedule across the and appearing on numerous recordings, which showcased the group's signature sound. During this time, Smith's steady work supported Tubb's hits and helped solidify the Troubadours' reputation as one of Nashville's premier backing ensembles. 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 . 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. This creative growth complemented his instrumental contributions, positioning him for eventual solo success in Nashville's evolving industry.

Solo debut and early recordings

Smith signed his first major-label recording contract with in 1966, marking his transition from session and band work to a solo artist. 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. 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 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. 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. By 1970, Smith began earning initial songwriting credits that underscored his growing compositional voice. That same year, seeking broader opportunities, he moved to , where enhanced production and top-tier song material positioned him for greater chart impact in the years ahead.

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 Hot Country Singles chart, holding the top spot for one week beginning March 3. 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 delivery and honky-tonk flair. In 1974, Smith achieved his signature success with "Country Bumpkin," another number-one hit on the Hot Country Singles chart for one week starting May 18, penned by Don Wayne in a style that exemplified Smith's talent for storytelling ballads about everyday life and heartbreak. The accompanying album, , peaked at number 7 on the Top Country Albums chart, further highlighting his -driven approach through tracks that blended traditional country themes with relatable, character-focused tales. Following the transition from 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 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. This period of peak success fueled increased touring and media exposure, reinforcing Smith's reputation as a quintessential 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 through the , scoring several mid-level hits that reflected his signature style. Notable examples include "She Talked a Lot About ," which peaked at number 13 on the 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 oversaw the album Cal Smith, featuring re-recordings of his classic hits like "Country Bumpkin" and "The Lord Knows I'm Drinking." 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 Records in 1986, including the minor hit "" that briefly charted, signaling the close of his major-label era. He relocated to , 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 tourism scene. In , First Generation issued another self-titled , Cal Smith, compiling new material and standards, but it represented his final studio effort. Smith effectively retired from full-time music by the early , focusing on while occasionally mentoring emerging artists in retirement.

Personal life and death

Marriage and family

Cal Smith was married to his , Darlene, until his in 2013. The couple raised a son, Calvin, and Smith became a grandfather to five and a great-grandfather to fifteen. Darlene died on May 9, 2023. Smith relocated to Nashville in the early 1960s to perform with Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours. In the 1990s, he and Darlene settled in , after his retirement from recording. Smith invested in the Nashville Sounds team in 1977, alongside other artists.

Health issues and death

Smith died on October 10, 2013, at his home in Branson at the age of 81. 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. He was subsequently cremated, with his ashes entrusted to the family. The immediate family, including his wife Darlene, son Calvin, five grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, requested privacy in the aftermath of his passing. Following his death, Smith received mentions in various country music histories for his contributions.

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. His debut album, All the World Is Lonely Now (Kapp, 1966), marked Smith's entry as a solo following session work, showcasing covers and originals in a straightforward vein without notable chart impact. The follow-up Drinking Champagne (Kapp, 1969) achieved moderate success, peaking at No. 33 on the Top Albums chart, and included the Top 40 single title track that highlighted Smith's interpretive skills on drinking-themed ballads. During his commercial peak, (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. 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 (, 1986), included minor hit "." 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 .
YearAlbum TitleLabelPeak Country Chart Position
1966All the World Is Lonely NowKapp
1967Goin' to Cal's PlaceKapp31
1968Kapp34
1968At Home with CalKapp
1969Drinking ChampagneKapp33
1969It Takes Me All Night LongKapp34
1972I've Found Someone of My OwnDecca5
1973Cal SmithMCA20
1974MCA4
1975It's Time to Pay the FiddlerMCA8
1975My Kind of CountryMCA17
1976Jason's FarmMCA16
1977I Just Came Home to Count the MemoriesMCA38
1984Turn Me Loose51-West
1986Stories of LifeStep One
1998Cal SmithFirst 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. 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.
SingleYearPeak Position (Billboard Hot Country Songs)Weeks at No. 1
The Lord Knows I'm Drinking197311
197411
It's Time to Pay the Fiddler197511
Following his run of chart-toppers, Smith continued recording steadily through the late , with singles like "She Talked a Lot About " in 1975 peaking at No. 13. His output tapered in the 1980s, with his final chart entry "" in 1986, peaking at No. 75 on Step One Records. Many of these singles appeared on his contemporary albums, contributing to his reputation for heartfelt, narrative-driven country ballads.

Awards and honors

Major awards won

Cal Smith achieved significant recognition in the country music industry through major awards tied to his breakthrough hit "Country Bumpkin." In 1974, the song earned him the (CMA) Single of the Year award at the eighth annual CMA Awards. The following year, at the 10th () Awards in 1975, Smith won Single Record of the Year for "," and the song received Song of the Year honors (awarded to songwriter Don Wayne), highlighting the track's storytelling impact and commercial success. In 1975, at the 10th Awards, Smith also won Top Male Vocalist of the Year. These victories underscored Smith's pivotal role in the 1970s country scene, with "" also receiving CMA Song of the Year honors (awarded to songwriter Don Wayne), further cementing its status as a landmark recording.

Nominations and recognitions

Smith received notable nominations from prominent organizations throughout his career, acknowledging his vocal prowess and hit recordings without resulting in wins in those categories. In 1974, he was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year by the (CMA), competing against , , , and . His breakthrough album also earned a CMA nomination for Album of the Year that same year. The (ACM) recognized Smith's rising prominence with a nomination for Top Male Vocalist in 1974. Additionally, was nominated for ACM Album of the Year in 1975, underscoring the record's critical acclaim among peers. Following Smith's death in , he has been honored in genre retrospectives, such as profiles celebrating Oklahoma's contributions to and the enduring appeal of narrative-driven songs like "."

References

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