Connie Smith In Concert
Smith’s recording of Once A Day became the first debut single in country music history by a female artist to reach number one, a record that Smith maintained for the next 25 years. Her self-titled LP also reached number one, and served as the first of over 50 albums Smith has recorded to date.
Along with her string of hit singles and albums, she became a solid box office contender and appeared in a series of what are now regarded as country cult classic films. Connie appeared in Las Vegas Hillbillies, Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar, Hell On Wheels, and co-starred with Marty Robbins and Doodles Weaver in The Road to Nashville.
The wake of Connie’s success carried her onto the stage of WSM’s Grand Ole Opry as a featured guest performer. Her first 22 performances resulted in 22 encores. On August 21, 1965 Connie Smith was welcomed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry family. The king of country music, Roy Acuff gave her the title of “The Sweetheart of the Grand Ole Opry.”