# Connie Smith

Smith in 2007
**Constance June Meador** (also known as **Connie Smith**; born August 14, 1941) is an American singer. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity has been noted between her vocal style and that of Patsy Cline.

Smith was discovered in 1963. She signed with RCA Victor Records in 1964. She remained with the label until 1973. Her first single "Once a Day" hit #1 on the *Billboard* Hot Country Songs chart in November 1964. It was at the top position for eight weeks. "Once a Day" became Smith's biggest hit.

Smith was nominated at the Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Smith's success continued with another 19 top-ten hits during the 1960s and 1970s. Those included "Ain't Had No Lovin'", "Cincinnati, Ohio" and "I Never Once Stopped Loving You."

Smith was nominated for eleven Grammy Awards.

Smith was born in Elkhart, Indiana. She later lived in West Virginia and Ohio.

## Awards, nominations and honors

Smith has won two awards from both *Billboard Magazine* and *Cash Box*. Besides her nominations from music magazines, she has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, one award from the Academy of Country Music, and three awards from the Country Music Association, as well as several nominations from the fan-voted Music City News Awards including one win.

| Year | Association | Category | Result | Ref. |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1964 | Billboard Magazine | Most Promising Female Country Artist | Won |  |
| 1965 | Grammy Awards | Best Country and Western Single – "Once a Day" | Nominated |  |
| Best New Country and Western Artist | Nominated |  |
| Best Country & Western Vocal Performance, Female – "Once a Day" | Nominated |  |
| Billboard Magazine | Most Promising Female Country Artist | Won |  |
| Billboard Magazine | Favorite Female Country Performer | Nominated |  |
| Favorite Album (1964–1965) – *Connie Smith* | Nominated |  |
| Cash Box | Most Promising Female Country Vocalist | Won |  |
| Country Music Review | Most Promising Female Singer | Won |  |
| 1966 | Grammy Awards | Best Sacred Recording – *Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs* | Nominated |  |
| Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Female – "Ain't Had No Lovin'" | Nominated |  |
| Billboard Magazine | Favorite Female Country Performer | Nominated |  |
| Favorite Country Album – *Cute 'n' Country* | Nominated |  |
| Cash Box | Most Programmed Female Artist | Won |  |
| Country Music Life Award | Favorite Female Artist | Won |  |
| *Record World* | Top Female Vocalist | Won |  |
| Most Outstanding Female Country and Western Vocalist | Won |  |
| 1967 | *Billboard Magazine* | Top Country Artist, Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| *Cash Box* | Most Programmed Female Artist | Nominated |  |
| *Record World* | Top Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| Country Music Association Awards | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |  |
| 1968 | Grammy Awards | Best Country & Western Solo Vocal Performance, Female – "Cincinnati, Ohio" | Nominated |  |
| 1969 | Academy of Country Music | Top Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| Grammy Awards | Best Country Vocal Performance, Female – "Ribbon of Darkness" | Nominated |  |
| 1970 | Country Music Association | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |  |
| 1971 | Grammy Awards | Best Sacred Performance – "Whispering Hope" (with Nat Stuckey) | Nominated |  |
| 1972 | Music City News Awards | Top Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| Country Music Association | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |  |
| 1974 | Grammy Awards | Best Inspirational Performance – "All the Praises" | Nominated |  |
| Music City News Awards | Top Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| 1975 | Music City News Awards | Top Female Vocalist | Nominated |  |
| 1976 | Grammy Awards | Best Gospel Performance – *Connie Smith Sings Hank Williams Gospel* | Nominated |  |
| 1979 | Music City News Awards | Gospel Group/Act of the Year | Won |  |
| 2002 | Country Music Television | 40 Greatest Women of Country Music – Rank (#9) | Won |  |
| 2007 | Country Universe | 100 Greatest Women – Rank (#24) | Won |  |
| 2010 | Grammy Awards | Best Country Collaboration with Vocals – "Run to You" (with Marty Stuart) | Nominated |  |
| 2012 | Country Music Association | Country Music Hall of Fame induction | Won |  |
| 2017 | *Rolling Stone* | 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time – Rank (#69) | Won |  |