Connie Smith

Connie Smith's rapid rise to country stardom began with her 1964 hit single "Once a Day," propelling her from small-town Ohio housewife to Grammy-nominated artist. Despite early comparisons to Patsy Cline, Smith's powerful vocals and emotive performances have solidified her as an influential yet underrated figure in country music history. While her commercial success peaked in the late '60s, Smith's enduring popularity extended into the '70s, where she transitioned to gospel music before making a successful comeback in 1998 with a self-titled album and continuing to release acclaimed projects with husband and producer Marty Stuart, including 2021's The Cry of the Heart.

Born Constance Meadows in Indiana, Smith's career took off after catching the attention of country star Bill Anderson and signing with RCA in 1964. Her chart-topping success with "Once a Day" and subsequent hits like "Then and Only Then" solidified her place in country music history, despite later shifts towards gospel music in the '70s. Smith's career saw various peaks and transitions, including semi-retirement in the '80s and '90s before her acclaimed comeback with Marty Stuart in 1998, leading to a prolific late-career output that includes collaborations and critical successes like 2021's The Cry of the Heart.