Jack Smith

Chuck Huffman · Post by **Chuck Huffman** » 8 Jul 2014 12:18 pm

It's with a heavy heart I got a call this morning that a great man and Steeler, JACK SMITH,
Has passed away after a car wreck in Arizona. Many prayers for the Smith family and he's been reunited with Kenny Hinson, Howard and Vestal Goodman, along with his father who was the great pastor of Keyes Assembly in Califorina.
Heaven has gained a wonderful man and another Master Steeler.

Bob Hempker · Post by **Bob Hempker** » 8 Jul 2014 12:40 pm

I am really saddened to hear this. Jack was a friend, and a very good steel player. I hadn't seen him in several years. My prayers and condolences to his family.

Ed Guthrie · Post by **Ed Guthrie** » 8 Jul 2014 12:41 pm

Is this the same Jack Smith who was on the road with Bill Anderson in the mid 70's?

Ed Guthrie · Post by **Ed Guthrie** » 8 Jul 2014 12:41 pm

Is this the same Jack Smith who was on the road with Bill Anderson in the mid 70's?

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 8 Jul 2014 2:00 pm

That's sad, my condolences to friends and family..

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 8 Jul 2014 2:00 pm

This is terrible news....I talked to Jack a few weeks ago about playing the SWSGA show In January. He was supposed to play last January, but due to a mixup in communication, he was unable to be there. He operated his own in business in Phoenix and was a great player. He will be missed.

My condolences to his family. RIP, Jack.

Billy Easton

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 8 Jul 2014 2:26 pm

I too spoke with Jack not to long ago.
He periodically came by the shop here to buy strings, I enjoyed our visits when he came by.
Jack had a rather "Large" career in our steel guitar community.
Dating back to his teens and playing for the "Happy Goodman Family" and a double hand full of country music legends.
Rest in peace brother Jack.

Larry King · Post by **Larry King** » 8 Jul 2014 3:11 pm

Wow..... so sorry to hear this . I've known him since he was age 11 and have high regard for his talent

Miguel e Smith · Post by **Miguel e Smith** » 8 Jul 2014 3:36 pm

Fred Justice first called me this morning followed by a handful of others (from here in the Valley and elsewhere). I just couldn't quite believe it and sought confirmation. Another local friend found a press piece about the accident itself but it did not mention any fatalities. Within the last half-hour I received the confirmation that Jack had passed. I've known Jack since the 70's and would frequently see him because my best friend (Randy Hauser) worked in Bill Anderson's band with Jack and their apartments were right across the hall from each other.
When he first came to Arizona, he was thinking he didn't want to play steel, but I was happy when he later took it back up so I could pass his number along to folks looking for a player. He and I just texted back and forth several days ago as his steady club gig had come to an end and he wanted to get the word out. Prayers to his family and friends as I know he'll be greatly missed. Jack is already enjoying his new adventure.

-Mike

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 8 Jul 2014 4:11 pm

I could not believe what I was reading. What a tragic loss. Jack Smith played for the Happy Goodmans and done some great playing on their "Wanted Live" album. RIP Jack and I bet you are playing some heavenly steel guitar for sure.

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 8 Jul 2014 5:06 pm

Jack was "the steel man hero" of mine, I wish I could have had his career more than anyone. I even bought his rosewood emmons from him back in 2004.

I'm really glad that I got to spend several days with him in Japan while he was still with Connie. He was bored and talked with me for hours...gave me his bio too.
One very nice man.

Roger Dillingham · Post by **Roger Dillingham** » 8 Jul 2014 5:31 pm

Wow! That is tragically bad news! I didn't know Jack very well, but I met him back in the '70s when he was playing with the Goodman Family during their peak days. I happen to live in Madisonville, Kentucky where they all lived and had their recording studio during that era. Jack was a very nice guy and although to me, he seemed like a god, he was always willing to talk music or guitars, or whatever. A super talented steel player in my opinion and deserved a great deal more recognition for his ability than probably he ever did receive. I also met a couple of other steel players that the Goodmans used along those years, but no one played more tastefully than Jack. I am so sorry for his family and pray that God will bring his comfort upon them during this time of loss. Earth's loss will be Heaven's gain IMHO. Roger

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 8 Jul 2014 5:39 pm

I too have known Jack since the 70s. I haven't seen or spoken to him in awhile. Very sad to hear of his passing. My prayers and deepest sympathies go out for his family.

Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 8 Jul 2014 9:24 pm

This news is so sad. I met Jack when he was on the road with Johnny Paycheck, we were the house band at the Shy Clown Casino in Sparks Nevada. Johnny did two shows on the week end and I met Jack after their show. He was a very open and kind gentleman. His steel playing was amazing, he played steel and sang harmony at the same time. I will never forget his chimes he played on the "Old Violin" This was the first time Johnny played tho "Old Violin" Live. God bless his soul and comfort his family and friends..

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 9 Jul 2014 6:49 am

Growing up on Southern Gospel music, Jack was one of my earliest influences on pedal steel. He did some beautiful playing with the Goodmans, even though I think he was only around 16 or 17 when he started playing with them. I have a rare album of the Goodman band called "100 Miles Out Of Nashville" that he did some great playing on. The album must be close to 40 years old now, but he had about the best tone I ever heard on an album. I put the album on CD and still listen to it often. I got to know him pretty well several years ago when he did a CD duplication project for me when he had his duplication business in Nashville. RIP Jack, we're praying for his wife and girls.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 9 Jul 2014 7:02 am

Here is an older article about Jack, and how he got started in the music business.

http://absolutelygospel.com/index.php?/ ... icles/2819

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 9 Jul 2014 7:45 am

Jack was one of my mentors. His playing on the Goodmans and Hinson albums help me tremendously during my early years. I am very saddened. Praying for Tammi and the kids.

Bob Wood · Post by **Bob Wood** » 9 Jul 2014 10:37 am

Wow! What a shocker! I too talked to Jack not very long ago. A guitar player friend of mine called me up this morning to tell me the sad news that another friend of ours told him of the very sad news. In wince I say sad, Jack and Tammi just had two young daughters of their own who now are father-less. You can see their photos on Jack's Face Book page and you can see how proud he was of them. My heart and prayers go out to all of them this day and forever. Jack was one heck of a steel player. I met him and his brother when I was playing guitar on a session for the Hinsons in Fresno, California for Rev. Parkinson at the Trac Record studios on Maple Street, Once again Jack, I believe you're playing for the Goodman again. I'll see you one day, and my my prayers will forever be for your earthbound family.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 9 Jul 2014 11:17 am

Does anyone have any additional info ..obituary....funeral.... lots of people want to know.

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 9 Jul 2014 3:29 pm

So very sad to hear of this.
Another piece of steel guitar history gone but never forgotten.
I sure wish he had wrote a book on all of his travels.
He played for some of the greatest gospel groups of all time when he was young.
My condolences to all of his family & friends.
May he rest in peace.
Ron

Jim Means · Post by **Jim Means** » 9 Jul 2014 6:49 pm

Man, what a shock to open Gone Home and see Jack's name. I could not believe it! I dread to opening this section.

Paul King wrote:I could not believe what I was reading. What a tragic loss. Jack Smith played for the Happy Goodmans and done some great playing on their "Wanted Live" album.

I'm with you Paul. This album especially and the song "The Lighthouse" in particular is what made me really want to play steel.
The intro especially. It is so simple, yet so perfect for the song that it sucks you in from the very beginning. You can't wait to hear what he is going to do next.

I am glad that I did get a chance to tell Jack in a forum thread not to long ago how much his playing with the Goodmans had meant to me.

May God be with his family and close friends at this time. Bless you Jack for all you mean to us Gospel players out here.

Jim in Missouri

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 9 Jul 2014 7:57 pm

My condolences to Jacks family and friends may GOD bless and comfort them as only he can do...

Kenny Davis · Post by **Kenny Davis** » 9 Jul 2014 8:27 pm

I never had the opportunity to meet Jack, or get to see him live. I've always admired his playing, especially with The Goodman's and Connie Smith. I first learned about him through his cousin Jerry Hall in Oklahoma City back in the early '70's. Jerry was a great player himself, and shared a lot of studio duties with Doug Campbell.

I hope his family finds comfort knowing how many people are praying for them.

Mike Johnson · Post by **Mike Johnson** » 9 Jul 2014 8:43 pm

I took Jack's place with Bill Anderson in 1979. What an incredible steel guitar player.
Our prayers go out to his family. He will sure be missed.
"Rest High on that mountain my friend"

Mike & Joanie

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 10 Jul 2014 1:39 am

Mike...I saw Bill Anderson and the Po boys in U.K. years ago. This was I guess before you. Jack Smith was on Steel. The first time I saw Bill, he had Sonny Garrish on steel. I remember all this was in the mid 70's and Jack was a young player. So sorry to hear of his death...Condolences to his family. R.I.P. Jack.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.