AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Arthur Smith Trio

Artist:The Arthur Smith Trio
Song:Paris Waltz
Album:Fiddlin' Arthur Smith & His Dixieliners





There are two major country music figures named Arthur Smith. The better known of the two was Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith. "Fiddlin'" Arthur Smith was a pioneer in bluegrass fiddle. He recorded for RCA's Bluebird label in the 30s. He had a couple of bands. Paris Waltz was recorded in 1938 with The Delmore Brothers as The Arthur Smith Trio. He was born Apr. 10, 1898 on a farm in Bold Springs, TN. He married at age 16 and he played locally with his wife Nettie, his cousin Homer Smith and fiddler Floyd Ethredge. Smith entered fiddle contests across Tennessee and won most of them. At the same time, he worked as a logger and lineman for the railroad. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1927. He formed The Dixieliners with The McGee Brothers (Sam on guitar, Kirk on banjo) with his daughter Lavonne Smith on piano. They went on tour with Uncle Dave Macon. One of the acts on those tours was The Delmore Brothers, Rabon and Alton. Smith recorded several singles for Bluebird with The Delmore Brothers as The Arthur Smith Trio. Paris Waltz was recorded in 1938. Though this is an instrumental, Smith and The Delmore Brothers sang on some songs. Smith returned to using the Dixieliners name in 1938 with Billy Byrd on guitar and Joe Forrester on bass. In the early 40s, he played with The Shelton Brothers and The Bailes Brothers. And he formed The Band of Arthurs where all the members were named Arthur. He even went to Hollywood in 1944 and appeared in several Jimmy Wakely westerns though he did appear in the 1945 Abbott and Costello film The Naughty Nineties. Smith signed with Capitol in 1948. And to avoid confusion with Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, he recorded as The Original Arthur Smith and his Dixieliners. Smith retired in the early 50s. But he returned in 1957. And probably the highlight of his career was when he appeared with The McGee Brothers at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. This comp covers Smith's 30s recordings and is available as a digital download. Smith continued to perform until he died on Feb. 28, 1971 at age 72. Here's a video for Paris Waltz by The Arthur Smith Trio.