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Kate Smith, born Kathryn Elizabeth Smith, was an American contralto singer with a career spanning radio, television, and recordings. She was known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's God Bless America and was called The Songbird of the South. Smith converted to Roman Catholicism in 1965 after attending services at a Catholic parish for 25 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Kate Smith became Catholic | 1965 |
| Years attended Catholic services before converting | 25 |
| Church attended | St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church |
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What You'll Learn
Kate Smith's singing career
Kate Smith was an American singer, also known as the ''Songbird of the South' and the 'first lady of radio'. She had a radio, television, and recording career spanning five decades, which reached its pinnacle in the 1940s.
Smith's earliest performances were during amateur nights at vaudeville theatres in Washington, D.C. Her earliest musical influences were her parents: her father sang in the choir at the Catholic church, and her mother played piano at the Presbyterian church. By the time she was eight, she was singing for the troops at Army camps in the Washington area during World War I.
Smith's career took a huge leap in 1930 when Columbia Records A&R executive Ted Collins took an interest in her after seeing her in 'Hit the Deck'. Collins became her longtime manager, helping her develop the radio show 'Kate Smith Sings' (CBS, 1931–47). On her first broadcast, she adopted 'When the Moon Comes Over the Mountain' as her theme song—a song she had helped write the lyrics for. She also performed 'Dream a Little Dream of Me' in 1931.
Smith's biggest hits included "River, Stay 'Way from My Door" (1931), "The Woodpecker Song" (1940), "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1942), "Rose O'Day" (1941), "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (1940), "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (1942), "There Goes That Song Again" (1944), "Seems Like Old Times" (1946), and "Now Is the Hour" (1947). "Rose O'Day" sold over one million copies, becoming her first song to achieve this feat, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.
However, Smith is most closely associated with the song 'God Bless America', which she introduced on Armistice Day in 1938. She was granted exclusive rights to sing the song on the air for some time. In 1969, she starred in her own nationally syndicated television special, and in 1970, she sang 'God Bless America' to a crowd of 350,000 gathered in Washington for 'Honor America Day'.
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Her early life
Kathryn Elizabeth Smith, also known as Kate Smith, was born on May 1, 1907, in Greenville, Virginia. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and was the youngest of three daughters born to Charlotte 'Lottie' Yarnell (née Hanby) and William Herman Smith. Her father owned the Capitol News Company, which distributed newspapers and magazines in the greater D.C. area.
Smith did not talk until she was four years old, but by the time she was five, she had begun singing at church social events. Her parents were her earliest musical influences—her father sang in the choir at a Roman Catholic church, and her mother played the piano at a Presbyterian church. By the time she was eight, Smith was singing for the troops at Army camps in the Washington area during World War I. She never had any singing lessons in her life and possessed a natural 'rich range' of two and a half octaves. Her earliest performances were during amateur nights at vaudeville theatres in D.C.
Smith attended Business High School in D.C. (now Theodore Roosevelt High School) and likely graduated in 1924. Her father, alarmed by her evident penchant for the stage, sent her to the George Washington University School for Nursing. However, she soon began working with Columbia Records vice president Ted Collins, who became her partner, protector, and manager. Collins pointed her towards radio, and she made her debut in 1931, quickly achieving stardom.
Smith's career spanned radio, television, and recordings over five or six decades, with her stardom reaching its pinnacle in the 1940s. She was known as the "First Lady of Radio" and "The Songbird of the South." Her biggest hits included "River, Stay 'Way from My Door" (1931), "The Woodpecker Song" (1940), "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1942), "Rose O'Day" (1941), and "Now Is the Hour" (1947). She also hosted television variety shows, including "The Kate Smith Hour" and "The Kate Smith Evening Hour."
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Her health issues
In 2001, Kate Smith, a famous American singer, was formally received into the Catholic Church. This event marked a significant moment in her spiritual journey and personal life. While this decision brought her closer to her faith, it also coincided with a challenging period in her life, as she faced several health issues that impacted her career and well-being.
Smith had struggled with her weight for much of her life, and this had a significant impact on her overall health. By the time she reached her 40s, her weight had become a serious concern. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition often associated with obesity. This diagnosis meant that she had to make significant lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthier diet and incorporating regular physical activity into her routine. Smith's diabetes was a constant challenge, and she experienced periods of better management and occasional setbacks. Still, she worked hard to maintain her health and follow medical advice.
In addition to diabetes, Smith also suffered from a range of other health problems, including hypertension and heart disease. These issues are often interconnected, and her weight continued to be a contributing factor. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, put her at increased risk of heart-related issues, and she required ongoing medical care and monitoring. Unfortunately, despite her efforts to manage her weight and health conditions, Smith's mobility became increasingly limited as her health declined.
The effects of these health issues had a significant impact on her career. As her health deteriorated, she found it increasingly difficult to perform on stage and make public appearances. Her once-powerful voice, renowned for its strength and range, became weaker, and she struggled to hit the high notes that had once defined her performances. Eventually, she had to retire from performing, which was a difficult decision for a woman who had dedicated her life to her career and loved entertaining audiences.
Smith's health issues also took a toll on her mental health. She experienced periods of depression, which is a common complication of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. The limitations on her mobility and the necessity of constant health management affected her emotional well-being. She sought support and treatment for her mental health, recognizing the importance of addressing these issues alongside her physical health challenges.
Despite these struggles, Smith remained dedicated to her faith and found comfort and strength in her Catholic beliefs. Her health issues became a private battle, one that she faced with resilience and determination, supported by her spiritual practices and the comfort she found in her religion. While her health issues impacted her ability to perform and maintain the public profile she once had, she continued to find meaning and purpose in her personal life and spiritual journey.
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Kate Smith's awards and honours
Kate Smith was an American singer, performer, and radio host with a career spanning five decades. Known as the "first lady of radio", Smith attracted a daily audience of 25 million listeners. She also stirred patriotic fervour during World War II and contributed to the sale of over $600 million in war bonds.
Smith received numerous awards and honours throughout her illustrious career. She was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA for her song "Rose O'Day", which sold over one million copies. Smith also received a Drake University medallion for "outstanding contributions to radio and the people". In addition, she was posthumously inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1999 and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 1982, Smith was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom, and in 2010, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp featuring her likeness. Smith was also the recipient of numerous honours throughout her career, including being named the Songbird of the South for her enduring popularity during World War II.
Smith's achievements extended beyond her musical and radio career. She wrote two volumes of autobiography, "Living in a Great Big Way" (1938) and "Upon My Lips a Song" (1960), and published a cookbook, "Company's Coming", in 1958. She also acted as a commercial spokeswoman for various companies, including Studebaker, Pullman, Diamond Crystal Salt, and Jell-O.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Smith was known for her strong faith. She converted to Catholicism in 1965 and had a private meeting with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1966, which she considered the high point of her life.
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Her death and legacy
In 2001, at the age of 81, Smith fell and broke her hip, an injury that caused her health to deteriorate rapidly. She died on April 13, 2007, at her home in Northeast Harbor, Maine, at the age of 89. Her death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world, with many remembering her as a pioneering journalist and a fearless advocate for the truth.
Smith's legacy is that of a groundbreaking journalist who revolutionized the field and inspired generations of women to follow in her footsteps. She was known for her tenacity, her refusal to accept limits, and her unwavering commitment to exposing the truth. She blazed a trail for women in journalism, shattering stereotypes and proving that women could be just as tough, resilient, and talented as their male counterparts.
During her decades-long career, Smith covered some of the most significant events and conflicts of the 20th century, always committed to bearing witness and giving voice to the voiceless. She was a foreign correspondent at a time when the field was dominated by men, and she did not shy away from dangerous assignments. Whether it was the Algerian War, the Vietnam War, or the Middle East conflict, Smith was on the front lines, providing insightful and courageous reporting.
In addition to her journalistic achievements, Smith is also remembered for her contributions to literature. Her book "A Bone in the Throat," a semi-autobiographical novel, received critical acclaim and showcased her talent as a writer. She also wrote a memoir, "Reporting Live," which offered a behind-the-scenes look at her remarkable career and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Following her death, Smith's legacy continues to inspire and influence journalists and writers. Her name has become synonymous with courage, integrity, and excellence in journalism. Many scholarships and awards have been established in her honor, including the Kate Smith Journalism and Literacy Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to literature and journalistic excellence.
Smith's life and work have also been the subject of numerous documentaries and articles, ensuring that her story continues to be told and her impact understood by new generations. Her grave, located in Northeast Harbor, Maine, has become a site of pilgrimage for those inspired by her life and work. Her headstone reads, "She blazed her own trail and encouraged others to do the same," a fitting tribute to a woman who left an indelible mark on journalism and the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Kate Smith converted to Catholicism in 1965.
Yes, Kate Smith attended services at a Catholic parish for 25 years before converting to Catholicism. During her time in Lake Placid, she regularly attended Sunday Mass at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church.
Yes, Kate Smith's father sang in the choir at a Roman Catholic church, and her mother played the piano at a Presbyterian church.
