On Thursday, August 25, 2011, Suite101 had the privilege to speak with veteran country music star Connie Smith about her latest album, Long Line of Heartaches, and working with husband/producer Marty Stuart. Smith also opened up about her proudest accomplishments throughout her career, her favorite modern-country artists, loyal fans, as well as her future plans.
Connie Smith Talks About Her Newest Album
Regarding her latest CD, Long Line of Heartaches, Smith remarked, “It’s my first album in 13 years. We recorded it in Studio B, where most of the albums I recorded were at that studio. It was produced by my husband, Marty Stuart. He and I co-wrote five of the songs. That’s how Marty and I got together. We started songwriting, and then we started dating, and then we got married. We’ve written forty or fifty songs, and we’ve been married 14 years now. Marty’s been trying to get me to record for several years.”
Smith continues, “Marty and I had some days off last year and we flew up to Montana to spend some time with our friend Kostas, who is a very famous songwriter who has written songs for Patty Loveless and other artists. We were sitting on the patio, and both guys had their guitars, and there was a creek running by, and deer were playing in the field, and birds flying and we wrote a song called I’m Not Blue, which is on the album. I wanted to record one of Johnny Russell’s songs that I dearly loved, Ain't You Even Gonna Cry, so we put that on the record, too.
“Johnny Paycheck had recorded a song called My Part of Forever that I wasn’t going to record since he did such a good job on it, but Marty really wanted me to put it on the album. It’s one that Jerry Foster and Bill Rice wrote many years ago,” she adds.
“Once I got the first song, the album fell into place. It just happened very quickly. I really am in love with all of the songs on the album at this point,” the country queen shares.
Connie Smith’s Proudest Accomplishments in Music
“Professionally, becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry,” she admits. “That was my aspiration since I was five years old, but I’m very proud that this year the Country Music Hall of Fame has asked me to be ‘Artist in Residence,’ and I’ve done three concerts there this year. That’s a big thrill for me.”
In 2002, Country Music Television ranked Connie Smith as its ninth greatest and most influential woman in the history of the genre. This was part of CMT's television special titled 40 Greatest Women of Country Music. Regarding this prestigious milestone, Smith states, “I’m glad to be in that trail. Can you believe that?”
In 2010, Smith earned yet another Grammy nomination for her collaboration with Stuart on the tune I Run to You.
“That was a great experience. I’ve never won a Grammy, but I’ve received eleven nominations and it’s been a long time since I had one, so that was a thrill. This October, I am being inducted in the West Virginia Hall of Fame, and that’s really nice.”
Particularly impressive is that Smith’s smash single Once A Day peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Charts for eight weeks, a record that still holds true today; moreover, it’s the longest running #1 tune by a female country artist in Billboard history. Says Smith: “This is unbelievable!” “I just wanted to cut a record and hear it on the radio once. It was all God-ordained as far as I’m concerned and I’m the one that got blessed.”
Once a Day has also been covered by country sensation Martina McBride for her Timeless record, as well as performed it with Smith on the Grand Ole Opry. “It was wonderful. I really love Martina professionally and personally,” she admits.
Connie Smith Talks About her Future Plans
Regarding her future plans, Smith states, “I’m still doing the Hall of Fame shows, I’m touring on the road, and we’re looking at songs, and Marty and I will start writing again. This fall, we’ll do the fourth season of The Marty Stuart Show that I’m on every week. I’m expecting my eighth grandchild, which is wonderful.”
“I’m going to be really busy,” she says with a laugh.
Connie Smith Shares Her Favorite Modern Country Artists
On her favorite artists in country, Smith reveals, “I think one of the greatest talents that we have now is Keith Urban. I really love him a lot. I love Rhonda Vincent too, and we’ve talked about doing things together. I love Lee Ann Womack; she’s a wonderful singer. There are a lot of young ones that I enjoy,” she acknowledges.
Connie Smith Addresses her Fans
“I always sign autographs after my concerts! I’m tired by then, but that’s really one of my favorite things. We usually stay and sign as long as there’s someone there, or unless the building people run us out. That way, I get to talk to them and get to know what’s on their heart and I love that!” Smith exclaims.
“I appreciate the loyalty of my fans. I’ve been through several marriages and I’ve had fans that all they did was change the name on the Christmas cards, but they never judged me and didn’t put me down, and they just continued their loyalty. That’s the kind of fans that I’ve always had. They are just wonderful people,” she adds.
Connie Smith Defines Success
Connie Smith concludes, “Success to me is to be a good Christian, mother, friend and wife, and as good an entertainer as I can be.”
For more information on Connie and her new music, please visit her official website.
Source
- Telephone Communication. Connie Smith. August 25, 2011.
Markos Papadatos - Markos Papadatos holds over six years journalism experience, authoring over 700 articles, many of which are feature profile interviews.
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