O.C. Smith

O.C. Smith developed his reputation and musical repertoire working as the lead singer for Count Basie, before charting his own course. His first hit, the 1968 song, Son of Hickory Hollers Tramp, exploded into the Top 40 in the United States and rose to #2 in England. His follow-up, a cover of the Bobby Russell song Little Green Apples, which won the 1968 Grammy Award for Song of the Year, not only made him a star, but cemented his place in the world of music.
Now incorporating R&B into his repertoire, Smiths success continued with hits such as Daddys Little Man, Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife, and Together. His wonderful voice and magnetic personality made Smith one of the premiere artists of the 1970s. Despite his success, Smith retired from music after finding his true calling as a minister. When he passed away in 2001, O.C. Smith left behind not only a spiritual legacy to his community and church, but also an archive of classic recordings cherished by his numerous admirers around the world.