South Carolina Radio and TV Pioneer Honored

Posted in News on January 30, 2007

BMI Award-winning songwriter Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith received the Honorary Life Membership Award from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association at their annual Winter Convention held Jan. 12 in Columbia, S.C. BMI was on hand to present Smith with a Gold Record in recognition of his induction.

In addition to hosting nationally syndicated radio and televisions shows for over 30 years, Smith is an accomplished musician and songwriter. He has over 500 active copyrights including “Guitar Boogie,” which sold over three million copies, and BMI’s 1973 Song of the Year “Dueling Banjos,” which was the theme to the hit movie, Deliverance.

In a career spanning over 60 years, Smith, who has songs recorded by Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, is still going strong. “Woo Hoo,” an adaptation of “Guitar Boogie,”  is the theme song for the current Vonage phone company ad campaign and “Dueling Banjos”  is the theme song for the current Toyota media campaign.

Above: Pictured are (l-r): Dorothy Smith, Smith’s wife of 66 years, BMI songwriter Arthur Smith, BMI’s Mason Hunter and Smith’s son, Clay Smith

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