Roy Smeck
Roy Smeck (born Leroy Smeck, 6 February 1900 – 5 April 1994) was an American musician. His skill on the banjo, guitar, steel guitar, and especially the ukulele earned him the nickname "Wizard of the Strings."
Background
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Smeck started on the vaudeville circuit. His style was influenced by Eddie Lang, Ikey Robinson, banjoist Harry Reser, Johnny Marvin and steel guitarist Sol Hoopii. Smeck could not sing well, so he developed novelty dances and trick playing to supplement his act.
Vaudeville
Smeck was one of only two vaudeville artists to play the octachordia, an 8-string lap steel guitar. He was introduced to the instrument by Sam Moore when he played on the bill with Moore and Davis in 1923. His 1928 recording of Sam Moore's Laughing Rag, played on the octachorda, is considered a classic of slide guitar.
Like so many of the performers during the era, he was a big fan of the instruments created by the C.F. Martin & Company and used a variety of their instruments. Smeck, like other performers, was unsuccessful in obtaining an endorsement deal with Martin, who limited their support to a 20% discount for all performers. As a result, he endorsed the Harmony and Gibson guitars and Harmony ukuleles. Smeck was also known for his work on the Harmony company's Vita-Uke along with a number of other version sold with his signature across the headstock.
Podcasts:
Roy Smeck
ALBUMS
- On With the Dance released:
- Roy Smeck Plays Hawaiian Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele and Guitar released:
On With the Dance
- On With the Dance
- Heaven Can Wait
- Ti-Pi-Tin
- Alone
- In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town
- My Mom
- When the Poppies Bloom Again
- Cheek to Cheek
- I'll Miss You in the Evening
- You Took the Words Right Out of My Heart
- Take Me Back to My Boots and Sadle
- You're a Sweetheart
- Love Me Forever
- But Where Are You
- Remember Me
- Isn't It a Lovely Day
- Sweet as a Song
- Chasing Shadows
- Wishing
- Serenade in the Night
- Dream Sweetheart
- While We Danced at the Mardigras
Born: 1900-02-06
Died: 1994-04-03
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by Jewel
Rosey & Mick
by: JewelMick came home late last night
He drank enough beer to take the edge off a knife
And she opened the door, looking older than before
He said, "Rosey, you're too good a girl"
She let him in, he lifted up her dress
Like an apology began to kiss her breast
And he felt much relieved as the ceiling fan tapped out a broken melody
And she said, "Do you remember when we were younger and angry words were said,
Making up was always your favorite part
Well, I ain't young no more
And I'm sorry will not mend a broken heart."
He came home threw his things on the floor
She worked up the courage to say what she never had before
But the words got lost inside
He got that look in his eye as the sun went shining on
And she said, "Do you remember when we were younger and angry words were said,
Making up was always your favorite part
Well, I ain't young no more
And I'm sorry will not mend a broken heart."
Well the judge knew well Mick was a violent man
She got a few headlines, she got a slap on the hand
And there ain't no villains and there ain't no heroes
People on both sides of the tracks trying to add up a whole bunch of zeros
And time marches on until it's all gone
And she said, "Do you remember when we were younger and angry words were said,
Making up was always your favorite part
Well, I ain't young no more