Connie Smith

Born 1941, Elkhart, Indiana

A country singer and Grand Ole Opry member, Connie Smith may be best known for her 1964 hit song “Once a Day” – written especially for her by country star Bill Anderson – which spent eight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Music charts, the longest of any female country music artist in history.

Often compared to Patsy Cline, she is still considered by many to be one of the best and most underrated vocalists in country history. Her string of hits continued until 1968 with “Then and Only Then,” “If I Talk to Him,” “Ain’t Had No Lovin’,” and “The Hurtin’s All Over.”

After working non-stop on the road, in films, and on The Lawrence Welk Show, Smith changed courses, devoting herself to family and religion. Subsequent hits included “You and Your Sweet Love,” “I Never Once Stopped Loving You,” “Just One Time,” “Just What I Am,” “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone),” and “Love is the Look You’re Looking For.”

She recorded an album that was released in August of 2011 to celebrate her 70th birthday. The project, recorded at historic RCA Studio B, was produced by Smith’s husband, Marty Stuart. Smith continues to perform with the Grand Ole Opry and remains a country icon.