Kathryn Elizabeth Smith, known as Kate Smith, was a renowned American singer and radio personality, nicknamed "The Songbird of the South." Born on May 1, 1907, she began her career in jazz nightclubs before transitioning to standard music. Discovered by Eddie Dowling, Kate made her Broadway debut in his musical comedy "Honeymoon Lane" in 1926.
Initially, Kate appeared in comedies, playing the plump, singing foil to the star. However, she soon grew unhappy with being made fun of and focused on her natural singing ability. She joined forces with Columbia Records vice president Ted Collins, who became her partner, protector, and manager.
Kate's radio debut in 1931 secured her stardom by the end of the year. She broke the record for longevity at the Palace Theatre and became a radio celebrity, leading to a guest cameo role in the Paramount musical film "The Big Broadcast" (1932). Her signature piece, "When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain," which she co-wrote the lyrics, became a hit.
Kate's first and only film vehicle was "Hello, Everybody!" (1933),where she played a meek, plus-sized radio singer who tends to her farm in between jobs. The film was a departure from her usual radio persona, and she realized she was not suited for film. Kate wisely stuck with radio and recordings, appearing in a film only one other time, as a guest singing "God Bless America" in the Warner Bros. star-studded variety show "This Is the Army" (1943).
Over the years, Kate's best-selling hits included "River, Stay 'Way From My Door" (1931),"The Woodpecker Song" (1940),"The White Cliffs of Dover" (1941),"I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (1942),"There Goes That Song Again" (1944),"Seems Like Old Times" (1946),"Now Is the Hour" (1947),and "How Great Thou Art" (1965).
Kate had one of the most popular radio variety shows, "The Kate Smith Hour," which aired weekly from 1937 to 1945. She also fronted the top daytime radio show, "Kate Smith Speaks," a news and commentary program. Kate made a grand and memorable entrance at Carnegie Hall in 1963 and performed with Arthur Fiedler and his Boston Pops in 1967.
Television was also a successful medium for Kate, with a Monday-Friday afternoon variety show "The Kate Smith Hour" (1950) that ran four years. The show proved so popular that NBC handed her the prime-time "The Kate Smith Evening Hour" (1951) to host as well. Kate appeared on variety shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jack Paar, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Tony Orlando, and Carol Burnett.
During her last productive decade, Kate gave live concerts and performed in clubs all over the country. Illness intervened in the 1970s, and diabetes forced her to retire, eventually crippling her and confining her to a wheelchair. Kate died of major complications in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 17, 1986, at the age of 79.
