Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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SMITH, Cal

(b Cavin Grant Shofner, 7 April '32, Gans OK) Deep-voiced country singer who had hits with compelling country yarns set to music. Grew up in Oakland CA; turned pro early '50s in San Jose, became regular on California Hayride TV show; was disc jockey on Radio KEEN '58-61, joined Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours as frontman and vocalist '63-70: the move to Nashville led to contract with Kapp, minor solo hits '67-70; switched to Decca. Scored first top 10 hit with "I've Found Someone Of My Own' '72, then no. 1 with "The Lord Knows I've Been Drinking' '73. Further no. 1 hits with "Country Bumpkin' (CMA Song of the Year), "It's Time To Pay The Fiddler', both '74, while "Between Lust And Watching TV' made top 10 despite being banned from the radio. "She Talked A Lot About Texas' and "Jason's Farm' were big hits, then top 40 "Thunderstorms' '76, top 15 "I Just Came Home To Count The Memories' '77, faded from the charts. LPs on MCA; recorded for Soundwave, then Step One.