(January 21st 1902 - May 2nd 1984)

Born Sykes Ballew in Palestine, Texas the singing star began his professional career on the radio during his college days at the University of Texas. Billed as Smith Ballew he recorded extensively as a popular crooner throughout the 1920s accompanied by prominent jazz and dance orchestras. In the 1930s Smith would become one of the earliest singing cowboys to appear on the silver screen.