Kate Smith

Commonly known as The Songbird of the South, Kathryn Elizabeth Smith (born on May 1st, 1907) was an American singer, actress, and radio personality whose rendition of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” remains forever etched in the US popular consciousness. Despite never having taken singing lessons, Smith gained notoriety in amateur nights at vaudeville theaters before landing her big first role on the Broadway revue Honeymoon Lane in 1926. Following a participation in Vincent Youmans’ Hit The Deck, the singer was discovered by Columbia A&R executive Ted Collins, who decided to sign her to the label. Among Smith’s biggest hits are “When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain” (1931), “River Stay Away from My Door” (1943), and “God Bless America” (1939), which went on to become her trademark song after being featured in the 1943 wartime film This Is The Army. During those years, the singer also enjoyed massive popularity with her radio show The Kate Smith Hour, which featured legendary comedians Abbott & Costello and ran for a total of eight consecutive years. Smith took the format to the small screen during the TV boom of the 50s, featuring guest appearances by the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Hank Williams on the show. The singer then made a return to the charts with “Anyone Can Move A Mountain” (1967) and “Smile, Smile, Smile” (1974), which reached Number 30 and 42 on Billboard’s Easy Listening Hits, respectively. Following a series of renowned performances of “God Bless America” in professional sports matches during the mid and late 70s, Smith died on June 17, 1986 due to diabetes-related complications.

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