Charlotte’s Arthur Smith, who wrote ‘Dueling Banjos,’ died Thursday at 93

The Charlotte Observer ^ | April 3, 2014 | Joe DePriest

[EveningStar]

The kid from Kershaw, S.C., picked a guitar like his fingers were on fire. Hot licks flew from the instrument when Arthur Smith played – a wizard coaxing magic out of the strings.

In 1945, he wrote and recorded a sizzling instrumental that eventually hit the charts worldwide. “Guitar Boogie” would go on to influence generations of musicians, including Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Glen Campbell, Roy Clark. A young Paul McCartney played the Kershaw kid’s boogie in a tryout for a Liverpool band that became the Beatles.

Smith, who died Thursday at home at age 93, was a Charlotte-based entertainer with a national presence.

Music great, innovator, TV pioneer, successful businessman: He was important on many levels. The amiable Sunday school teacher with a honey-dipped Southern drawl also had a feisty side; he took on Warner Bros. after his novelty song “Feuding Banjos” turned up uncredited as “Dueling Banjos” in the 1972 movie “Deliverance.” Smith filed a lawsuit and won a substantial settlement.

[EveningStar]

Wikipedia

Arthur Smith - Guitar Boogie

Don Reno & Arthur Smith - Feudin Banjos (Dueling Banjos) (1955)

Dueling Banjos (HD)

[BeadCounter]

Rest in Peace, memorable, great instrumental.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[VerySadAmerican]

I played some of his records when I was a DeeJay 40 plus years ago.

[VerySadAmerican]

I played some of his records when I was a DeeJay 40 plus years ago.

[yarddog]

“Deliverance” was on just a few days ago. I watched it until the dueling banjos scene was over and switched channels.

[Amberdawn]

RIP.

[Argus]

Bump for later delectation.

[DeFault User]

he took on Warner Bros. after his novelty song “Feuding Banjos” turned up uncredited as “Dueling Banjos” in the 1972 movie “Deliverance.” Smith filed a lawsuit and won a substantial settlement.

Arthur Smith told his Sunday School class a story about the lawsuit. The Warner Brothers lawyers tried to intimidate him by warning him that that he couldn't fight them because it would take too long and cost too much money. He told them, "Fellows, I think you'll find that I have enough money and I certainly have enough time."

Evidently, they thought he was a Southern hick with only a few nickels. He took them to the cleaners.

I only met him once at a wedding about ten years ago. He was showing his age then, moving rather slow, but still an affable, humble man.

[lee martell]

Lucky man, he was able to stay at his home until he passed on. Doesn’t say if he had attendants, but I would presume someone that famous to those who know music, would have somebody living with him, ready to help.

[JoeProBono]

[Lib-Lickers 2]

he also gave a lot of his time and effort to promote sport fishing.. fished in quite a few of his King Mackerel tournaments.. thank you and God speed Arthur

[D-fendr]

Thanks for posting this. I had never heard of him, but am very aware of his contributions. Incredible to know.

I hadn’t considered that there was someone who first wrote guitar boogie. :)

Here’s Tommy Emmanuel’s version:

http://goo.gl/1SnN9A

[FXRP]

My favorite version... Dueling Tubas by Martin Mull

[minnesota_bound]

Here is another one you might like.

Orange Blossom Special by Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith - from 1945
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WudV2ajbgVA

[cowpoke]

Thanks for posting that video of Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith. He passed away in 1971 and as you probably know, is not Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith. Jimmy Wakely was great too.

[fso301]

[dmz]

Ah, the young Bela Fleck.

[Luigi Vasellini]

BTTT