Bulloch County’s own Gerald Smith, award-wining songwriter will perform Sunday, July 17 at First Baptist Church in Statesboro.
    Smith was recently inducted into the North America Country Music Association Hall of Fame as a “legendary songwriter,” along with country singer Lorrie Morgan, who recorded one of Smith’s songs: “What Part of No Don’t You Understand.” That song went on to become a major hit, as did Colin Raye’s recording of Smith’s song “Every Second, Every Minute.”
    Smith is also known for his Hee Haw performance of “Georgia Quackerjack,” as well as several other novelty songs. He did not write “Georgia Quackerjack” but did pen several songs for the show.
    Smith is also nominated for awards in the upcoming 55th Annual ICGMA (International Country Gospel Music Association) 2011 Gold Cross Awards to be held Aug. 6th in West Plains, MO.
    The ICGMA is the oldest country gospel music organization in America, founded by Dr. W. Lindsey Thompson and Billy Holcomb.
    Smith is nominated for “Songwriter of the Year” and for the ICGMA “Award of Excellence.”
    Smith, who worked for country star George Strait’s publishing company for eight years, is originally from Statesboro. His father, Shorty Smith, was well known regionally for performances by “Shorty Smith and the Peapickers.”
    Smith moved to Nashville in 1985, and since then has had several songs performed by Strait, George Jones, Johnny Rodriguez, the group “Perfect Stranger,” Justin McBride and many more artists.
    Along with appearing as the “Georgia Quackerjack” on Hee Haw, Smith has performed with Roy Acuff, Roy Clark, Minnie Pearl, Percy Sledge, Jerry Reed, Barbara Mandrell, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Clower, T. Graham Brown, and others.
    He graduated from Georgia Southern University and has been a professional songwriter for more than 25 years. Currently working for Melody Roundup Music, he has a new CD out called “Hits and More,” featuring his own performance of favorite songs.
    One of those is “Don’t Give the Devil a Ride” went to number 10 on Christian country and gospel charts. His son about his father, “Shorty was a Big Man,” went to number two in the charts.
    As a child, “I just sang,” he said. With musical talent on both sides of his family, music was a way of life. But after completing a stint in the military, Smith started playing the guitar and writing songs. “I just have it in my blood,” he said.
    Visits to Statesboro bring Smith back home “around Vidalia Onion and boiled peanut time” as well as holidays. He said he looks forward to Sunday’s event at First Baptist Church.
    For more information on Smith, access Internet website www.geraldsmithmusic.com.
    
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.