Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith

Subject: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: Cool Beans
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 08:40 AM

And he wrote "Dueling Banjos," too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/arts/music/arthur-smith-dies-at-93-wrote-dueling-banjos.html?hpw&rref=obituaries

Subject: RE: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: pdq
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 09:29 AM

Arthur "Guitar Googie" Smith was a trained musician, a Navy Officer in WWII and a serious Christian.

He also fronted one of the tightest bands of the post-war, the Crackerjacks. Great showmanship with family-friendly material.

The first recording of Guitar Boogie went nowhere. 1945 or 1946, I think. The one that became a huge hit was probably the third version and sold tons in 1949.

Many Rock guitar player credit Smith as an inspiration for their playing but probably not his conservative lifestyle.

The tune Guitar Boogie was changed to Beck's Boogie by Rock great Jeff Beck, which he evolved it into a jam band number.

Subject: RE: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: Rex
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 10:38 AM

Not to put to fine a point on it but he titled it "Feudin' Banjos" in his recording with Don Reno. He on tenor banjo and Reno on the 5-sting. Yep his band was well named, Crackerjack. Great band, great show.

Rex

Subject: RE: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: fat B****rd
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 03:29 PM

To many of my 'baby boomer' generation Guitar Boogie Shuffle by Bert Weedon was a dance hall favourite for groups with red guitars along with anything by The Shadows and The Ventures. I sold Alvin Lee an EP by Mr. Smith (an unwanted Xmas gift)in the early 60s and never heard Guitar Boogie, which I admit to confusing title-wise with the Chuck Berry track, until relatively recently. I love the bass string riff. RIP Mr. Smith

Subject: RE: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 01:51 AM

Did he invent rock'n'roll?

Subject: RE: Obit: Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 10 Apr 14 - 06:46 PM

Had Smith been based in Nashville instead of Charlotte, NC, he would most likely have had wider recognition and appreciation in the country music industry. He was a major figure and pioneer in country music television. And though he put "boogie" into his version of country music in my memories he never did adopt the "Nashville" approach. But I sort of lost touch when I moved west. In my earlier years, I enjoyed quite a few Arthur Smith TV broadcasts. He was a great one and brought a lot of pleasure to folks over the years. One of the things I remember him for is "Conversation with a Mule".