Lifenotes: Cal Smith

Cal Smith

Cal Smith, the singer behind hits including “Country Bumpkin,” “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” “It’s Time to Pay the Fiddler,” and other songs, passed away Thursday (Oct. 10) at age 81. The Oklahoma native was born Calvin Grant Shofner on April 7, 1932. He began playing guitar and performing in his teens. After entering the military, he settled in California, where he worked as a disc jockey.

In 1962, Smith become a member of Ernest Tubb’s band, the Texas Troubadours. He worked with the band as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist until mid-1968. In 1967, Smith’s single, “The Only Thing I Want,” was his first to chart, released by Kapp Records. He moved to Decca Records in 1970, where he later earned his first Top 5 single for that label, “I’ve Found Someone Of My Own.” His breakthrough came in 1972 with a recording of the Bill Anderson song, “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” which went to No. 1 and crossed over onto the pop charts.

In 1974, Smith’s single “Country Bumpkin” (written by Don Wayne) topped the charts and was voted the Country Music Association’s single of the year. Smith’s last chart-topper came in 1975 with “It’s Time To Pay The Fiddler” (written by Walter Haynes and Don Wayne).

He is survived by his wife, along with five children and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.