Kate Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kate Smith
Smith in 1943
Background information
Birth name	Kathryn Elizabeth Smith
Born	(1907-05-01)May 1, 1907 Greenville, Virginia, U.S.
Died	June 17, 1986(1986-06-17) (aged 79) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1926–1976
Labels	RCA Victor Savoy Records

Kathryn Elizabeth Smith (born May 1, 1907 – died June 17, 1986) was a famous American singer. She had a deep, powerful voice called a contralto. People often called her The First Lady of Radio because she was so popular on the radio. She was also known as The Songbird of the South, especially during World War II. Kate Smith is best remembered for her amazing performances of "God Bless America" and "When the Moon Comes over the Mountain".

Early Life and First Steps in Show Business

Kate Smith was born on May 1, 1907, in Greenville, Virginia. She grew up in Washington, D.C.. Her father owned a company that delivered newspapers and magazines. Kate was the youngest of three daughters.

Even though she didn't talk until she was four, by age five, she was singing at church events. When she was eight, she sang for soldiers during World War I. Kate never had singing lessons, but she had a very wide vocal range. She started performing in amateur nights at vaudeville theaters in D.C.

Her parents loved music; her father sang in church, and her mother played piano. Kate went to Business High School in D.C. After high school, her father wanted her to be a nurse, so she went to nursing school for nine months. But Kate really wanted to be a performer, so she left school to follow her dream.

Kate got a singing job at Keith's Theater in Boston. There, she met actor and producer Eddie Dowling. He hired her for his new show, Honeymoon Lane, which opened in 1926. The show soon moved to Broadway in New York City. After Honeymoon Lane closed, Kate had trouble finding work in New York. She went back to Washington, D.C., and performed in vaudeville shows sometimes. Later, she joined a traveling show called Hit the Deck. She became well-known for singing "Hallelujah!"

In 1930, Kate starred in another show called Flying High. In this show, her character was often made fun of because of her size. Kate later said that she sometimes cried because of how sad this made her feel.

A Star on the Rise

Smith on the cover of Radio Mirror magazine in 1934.

While performing in Honeymoon Lane, Kate Smith started making her first music recordings. Her first songs were released on the Columbia Records label in 1926. She made more records for Columbia and other labels, sometimes using a different name. These early songs were very popular.

Her music career really took off in 1930 when Ted Collins, a record executive, became her manager. They worked together as partners for many years. Kate had felt self-conscious about her weight, especially after being teased in shows. She later said that Ted Collins was the first person who saw her only as a singer and didn't focus on her size. She famously said, "I'm big, and I sing, and boy, when I sing, I sing all over!"

Collins helped Kate get on the radio in 1931. Her biggest hit songs included "River, Stay 'Way from My Door" (1931), "The Woodpecker Song" (1940), and "When the Moon Comes over the Mountain", which became her theme song. She even helped write the lyrics for it! "Rose O'Day" sold over a million copies, earning her a gold record. Kate always greeted her radio audience with "Hello, everybody!" and said goodbye with "Thanks for listenin'."

Kate also appeared in movies. In 1932, she was in Hello, Everybody!. In the 1943 wartime film This Is the Army, she sang "God Bless America", which became her most famous song.

Radio Shows

The characters from The Aldrich Family first appeared on Kate Smith's radio show in 1938.

Kate Smith was a huge radio star. She started with a show called Kate Smith Sings on NBC, which soon aired six times a week. She then had several shows on CBS, like Kate Smith and Her Swanee Music.

The Kate Smith Hour was a very popular radio show that ran for eight years (1937–1945). It featured comedy, music, and drama. Famous comedians like Abbott and Costello and Henny Youngman became known to a national audience on her show. A series of sketches from the show even led to a separate hit radio series called The Aldrich Family.

Kate Smith continued to host music and talk shows on various radio networks until 1960.

Supporting the War Effort

During World War II, Kate Smith was a big inspiration for Americans. She helped sell over $600 million worth of war bonds through special broadcasts. This money helped the United States pay for the war. No other entertainer raised as much money for the war effort as she did.

Television Appearances

Ted Collins and Kate Smith on her television show in 1953.

In the early 1950s, Kate Smith starred in two TV shows on NBC: The Kate Smith Hour and The Kate Smith Evening Hour. Many famous actors and singers appeared on her shows, including James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Josephine Baker, and Hank Williams.

Kate also hosted a variety show on CBS in 1960. She even performed on a British TV show, Sunday Night at the Palladium, in 1966. Because she was so popular, Kate Smith often appeared in advertisements for companies like Studebaker cars and Jell-O.

Recordings and Hit Songs

Kate Smith recorded many successful albums and songs in the 1930s and 1940s. She continued to record in the 1950s and later signed with RCA Victor in 1963. Many of her albums charted on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, even alongside much younger rock stars. In 1967, her song "Anyone Can Move A Mountain" was a hit on the Easy Listening chart. Her last recording was "Smile, Smile, Smile" in 1974.

Best-selling singles

Record albums

• 1949 Songs of Erin (10", Album), Columbia Records
• 1954 Kate Smith, Capitol Records
• 1958 The Fabulous Kate, Kapp Records
• 1958 Rip Van Winkle / Johnny Appleseed (with Lionel Barrymore), Full Fidelity Lion Records
• 1959 Christmas with The Great Kate, Mayfair Records
• 1960 Kate Smith Sings God Bless America, Tops Records
• 1963 Kate Smith at Carnegie Hall, RCA Victor Records #83 US
• 1964 The Sweetest Sounds of Kate Smith, RCA Victor Records #145 US
• 1965 A Touch of Magic, RCA Victor Records
• 1965 How Great Thou Art, RCA Victor Records #36 US
• 1966 Today, RCA Victor Records #148 US
• 1966 The Glorious Voice of Kate Smith, Pickwick Records
• 1966 The Kate Smith Anniversary Album, RCA Victor Records #130 US
• 1966 The Kate Smith Christmas Album, RCA Victor Records
• 1967 Just a Closer Walk with Thee, RCA Victor Records
• 1967 Here & Now, RCA Victor Records
• 1967 Something Special, RCA Victor Records
• 1968 May God Be with You, RCA Victor Records
• 1968 America's Favorites (with Arthur Fiedler and The Boston Pops, RCA Victor Red Seal
• 1968 The Best of Kate Smith, RCA Victor Records
• 1968 The One and Only, Kapp Records
• 1969 Songs of the Now Generation, RCA Victor Records
• 1970 The Best of Kate Smith Sacred, RCA Victor Records
• 1970 God Bless America & Other Great American Songs, Happy Time Records
• 1970 The Fabulous Kate Smith, RCA Camden
• 1974 God Bless America, Sunbeam Records
• 1976 Kate Smith Sings America's Favorites, RCA Special Products
• 1978 A Legendary Performer, RCA Records

Kate Smith and Professional Sports

Kate Smith's song "God Bless America" became a special part of the Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team's history. In 1969, the team started playing her recording of the song before some games. Fans loved it more than the usual national anthem at the time.

On October 11, 1973, Kate Smith surprised everyone by singing "God Bless America" live at a Flyers game. The team won that game! She sang it again before Game 6 of the 1974 Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers had a great record when she performed, winning many more games than they lost. After her performance, she even pretended to throw a knockout punch, matching the Flyers' tough reputation. The Flyers went on to win their first Stanley Cup that year!

She performed live for the Flyers several more times, including before important playoff games. Her last public performance was in 1985, again before a Flyers game.

The Flyers' record when Kate Smith's "God Bless America" was played or sung by her in person was amazing: 100 wins, 29 losses, and 5 ties. In 1987, the team put up a statue of Smith outside their arena. However, the statue was later removed in 2019 due to concerns about some of her older song lyrics.

Even after the statue was removed, the Flyers sometimes still show a video of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" for good luck before big games. Today, the video is often played along with a live performance by Lauren Hart, the daughter of a famous Flyers announcer. The announcer at the games introduces Lauren Hart and says, "Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we ask that you please rise and remove your hats and salute our flags and welcome the number-one ranked anthemist in the NHL, Lauren Hart, as she sings 'God Bless America', accompanied by the great Kate Smith."

Kate Smith was also the grand marshal of the 1976 Tournament of Roses Parade in California. She sang "God Bless America" and the National Anthem before the 1976 Rose Bowl game.

Personal Life and Legacy

Kate Smith never married. She lived in apartments in Manhattan during her career and had homes in Arlington, Virginia, and Lake Placid, New York. In 1965, she became a Catholic. She often sang hymns in church with her powerful voice.

In her later years, Kate Smith had health problems due to diabetes. In 1976, she had brain damage after falling into a diabetic coma. In 1979, she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1986, she had surgery on her leg and later another surgery. Kate Smith passed away on June 17, 1986, at age 79.

After her death, her remains were kept in a vault for over a year while there was a discussion about her burial wishes. She was finally buried in a private service on November 14, 1987, in Lake Placid.

Kate Smith was honored many times. She performed for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the White House in 1939. She received an award for her contributions to radio. In 1999, she was added to the Radio Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2010, the U.S. postal service released a special stamp featuring Kate Smith.

Presidential Medal of Freedom

On October 26, 1982, Kate Smith received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest award a civilian can receive in the United States. It was given to her by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

This wasn't the first time a president had recognized her. In 1969, President Richard Nixon praised Kate Smith for performing in a concert that promoted decency.

Images for kids

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  Smith in 1943

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  Smith on 1934 cover of Radio Mirror

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  The Aldriches and Kate Smith as the characters premiered on her radio program in September 1938.

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  Ted Collins and Smith on her television show, 1953

See also

In Spanish: Kate Smith para niños