Died On This Date (February 24, 2005) Goldie Hill / Country Star

Argolda “Goldie” Hill
January 11, 1933 – February 24, 2005

Goldie Hill was one of country music’s first generation of women.  Along with Kitty Wells, she would influence the next generation’s Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.   Hill got her first break when she was invited to perform on the popular Louisiana Hayride program in 1952.  Later that year, she released her first single, followed by “I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes” which quickly went to the top of the charts.  It was the first by a woman to do so.  Almost as quickly as she became famous, Hill walked away from the music business.  In 1957, she married Carl “Mr. Country” Smith, the former husband of June Carter, and retired to start and raise a family.  She attempted a small comeback during the late ’60s, but nothing of commercial significance came from it.  She soon retired again to show horses.  Goldie Hill passed away from cancer on February 24, 2005.  She was 72.

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Goldie Hill

Died On This Date (January 16, 2010) Carl Smith / Country Music Legend

Carl Smith
March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010

Carl Smith was a country music singer who was so respected that he was nicknamed, “Mr. Country.”  A musician since grade school, Smith formed his first band at 15, and by the time he returned home from a term in the Navy, he was well on his way to a storied music career.  Smith made his mark on country music during the ’50s, when he began releasing hits like, “Hey Joe,” “Ten Thousand Drums,” and “Wicked Lies.”  During that decade, he scored over 30 Top-10 hits, five of which went to #1.  In 1951, he married June Carter with whom he had a daughter that would grow up to perform under the name, Carlene Carter.  During the late ’50s, he divorced Carter, moved to California, appeared on television and films, and married another country hit maker, Goldie Hill.  Smith stayed active in the music industry until his retirement in 1983.  Carl Smith was 82 when he passed away on January 16, 2010.

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Carl Smith