In the tradition of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, singer/ songwriter Sammi Smith was considered a country music outlaw, unafraid to sing songs that reflected the sometimes gritty realities of modern life. She first came to fame singing Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and was noted for her husky voice, the result of spending many years singing in smoke-filled clubs.
She was born Jewel Fay Smith in California, but spent her childhood living in different southwestern states. At age 11, Smith dropped out of school and the following year began singing professionally in clubs. She married at age 15 and produced four children. At songwriter Gene Sullivan's urging, a newly-divorced Smith moved to Nashville in 1967. A year later she had her first minor hit, "So Long, Charlie Brown, Don't Look for Me Around." In 1970, she had another minor hit, but it was not until the end of the year that she had her first major smash with "Help Me Make It Through the Night," which made it to the top of the country charts and also became a Top Ten pop hit. Later that year, she wrote "Cedartown, Georgia," which became a major hit for Waylon Jennings.
In 1973, Smith moved to Dallas to join Jennings and Willie Nelson and become an "outlaw." Through 1975, she had several hits including "Then You Walk In" and "Today I Started Loving You Again." She moved to Elektra in 1975 and remained with them for three years. During that time, she had several chart entries with such songs as "Loving Arms," "Days That End in 'Y'" (both 1977) and "Norma Jean" (1978), a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. In 1979, she signed to the independent label Cyclone and had a Top 20 hit with "What a Lie," In 1980, she moved to Sound Factory and had one Top 40 and two Top 20 hits including "I Cry When I'm Alone." Her last hit came in 1986 with "Love Me All Over."
Little is known of Sammi since the mid 80's. It is known, however, that Sammi has worked for Apaches. Part Apache herself, Sammi adopted two Apache children and has established a scholarship to help provide for budding Apache doctors and lawyers. Sammi also led "Apache Spirit", a band comprised solely of native Americans. More recently, in 1995, an album embracing Sammi's greatest hits was released - "The Best of Sammi Smith". Significantly, the album comprises substantial "countrypolitan" content.
Few artists have enjoyed the success that Sammi has with
"Help Me Make It Through The Night". The song is a country
classic’ and has placed the name "**Sammi Smith**" to the forefront in the annals of "countrypolitan" music. Sammi's style has even been used as a comparison yardstick for modern artists such as current country vocalist, Shelby Lynne (The Nashville Scene 2/14/2000). As evidenced by her achievements in the early '70s, **Sammi Smith** can truly be ranked among the greats’ of "countrypolitan" music...
