Arthur Smith

AKA:

Guitar Boogie Smith

Birth Name:

Arthur Smith

Birth Date:

April 1, 1921

Birth Place:

Clinton, South Carolina

Death Date:

April 3, 2014

Place of Death:

5457 Monroe Road, Charlotte, North Carolina

Age:

Cause of Death:

Natural causes

Cemetery Name:

Magnolia Memorial Gardens

Claim to Fame:

Music

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith was a musician, composer, and record producer, as well as a radio and TV host. He produced the first nationally syndicated country music show on television: The Arthur Smith Show". A talented and respected country music instrumental composer, guitarist, fiddler, and banjo player his first big hit recording was the instrumental "Guitar Boogie", which he wrote and recorded in 1945. It sold over three million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Renamed "Guitar Boogie Shuffle", it became a rock and roll hit by Frank Virtue and the Virtues. Virtue served in the Navy with Smith and counted him as a major influence. Other musicians who have been influenced by Smith include Nashville studio ace Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland, Roy Clark, and Glen Campbell. Smith was also noted for his "Feudin' Banjos" (1955), which was also recorded by Lester Flatt. It was revived as "Dueling Banjos" and used as a theme song in the popular film, Deliverance (1972). Released as a single, it became a hit, played on Top 40, AOR, and country stations alike. It reached the Top Ten and hit #1 in the US and Canada. Just a few of the dozens of awards and accolades he received during his lifetime include: BMI Song of the Year Award 1973, Grammy - Dueling Banjos (1973), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Special Citation of Achievement, The Broadcasters Hall of Fame – North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (1990), South Carolina Hall of Fame (1998), Legends Award – Western Film Festival (2003) and BMI Legendary Songwriter Award (2006).

Fun Fact

In 1955, Arthur Smith composed a banjo instrumental he called “Feudin’ Banjos”, and recorded the song with five-string banjo player Don Reno. Later the composition was performed in the popular 1972 film Deliverance, retitled “Dueling Banjos” and played by Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell. It was released as a single becoming a major hit: played on Top 40, AOR, and country stations alike. It reached the Top Ten in several categories and hit #1 on the Cashbox and Record World US pop charts. It was also a #1 country hit in the US and Canada. Because Smith was not credited for this piece in the film, Smith filed a legal suit against Warner Brothers, winning a “substantial settlement” which included his being awarded songwriting credit and back royalties. Smith asked Warner Bros. to include his name on the official soundtrack listing, but reportedly asked to be omitted from the film credits because he found the film offensive (gee … I wonder why …).

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Magnolia Memorial Gardens

5801 Pineville-Matthews Road

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28226

USA

North America

Map:

Map of Magnolia Memorial Gardens in Charlotte, North Carolina

Grave Location:

Smith Family Plot

Grave Location Description

As you enter this modest cemetery take the second right and park at the next intersection. Look to your right about 60 feet and you will find the memorial to talented musician Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith.