Carl Milton Smith American musician, country singer Date of Birth: 15.03.1927 Country: USA

Biography of Carl Milton Smith

Carl Milton Smith was an American musician and country singer. He was born in Maynardville, Tennessee and was inspired to pursue a career in country music after listening to the radio broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry. Although it was not easy, Carl worked hard to achieve his dream. He even paid for guitar lessons by mowing lawns in his neighborhood.

At the age of 15, Smith started playing in the band "Kitty Dibble and Her Dude Ranch Ranglers." By the time he was 17, he had already worked as a DJ at WROL-AM in Knoxville, Tennessee and learned to play the double bass. After finishing high school, Carl joined the navy and served for three years from 1944 to 1947.

Upon returning from the navy, Carl continued his music career, accompanying famous performers such as Molly O'Day and Skeets Williamson on the double bass. It was during this time that he began singing as well. One of his colleagues at the radio station sent a recording of Carl to WMS-AM and the Grand Ole Opry, which immediately showed interest in his talent and offered him a job.

In 1950, Smith signed a contract with Columbia Records and producer Don Law. In 1952, he married June Carter, who would later become Johnny Cash's wife. They had a daughter named Rebecca in 1955, who would eventually become a successful country singer under the stage name Carlene Carter.

In 1956, Carl left the Grand Ole Opry and moved to California, where he also appeared in several films. He then joined The Phillip Morris Country Music Show and toured the United States for over a year. In the same year, Carl and Carter divorced, and he married country singer Goldie Hill.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Smith's career began to decline, partly due to the decreasing popularity of his songs. He started incorporating elements of Western swing into his melodies. After working with Columbia Records for about 25 years, he signed with Hickory Records in 1975, but struggled to achieve chart success. Fortunately, his investments and royalties from his earlier songs ensured financial stability and allowed him to retire in the late 1970s.

In 1983, Smith briefly returned to the music scene to release another album under the Gusto label. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2005, his wife Goldie passed away. Carl Smith died in January 2010 from natural causes. He is survived by two sons and two daughters.