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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSMITH, O.C.(b Ocie Lee Smith, 21 June '32, Mansfield LA; d 23 Nov. 2001, L.A.) Pop/soul singer. To West Coast as a child; served in USAF early '50s as an entertainer, touring with Horace Heidt; sang with Sy Oliver, appeared on Arthur Godfrey's talent show and got a contract with Cadence label. First single was 'Lighthouse', a slow rock'n'roll ballad with dubbed-in seagulls; he also made a vocal version of 'Slow Walk', a Sil Austin hit of the period. Recorded with Leiber & Stoller on Big Top and Broadway; succeeded Joe Williams as vocalist with Count Basie '61. Versatile entertainer changed his name to O.C. and had successful chart career '68-74: 10 hits in pop/soul charts included top 40 version of Dallas Frazier's 'The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp', no. 2 with Bobby Russell's Grammy-winning song 'Little Green Apples', both '68. Four albums plus Greatest Hits set charted: Hickory Holler Revisited (including 'Apples'), For Once In My Life, O.C. At Home '68-9, then Help Me Make It Through The Night '71 reached top 200. After All Is Said And Done was on a Triune CD '92. |