Goldie Hill
Encyclopedia
Goldie Hill born Argolda Voncile Hill, was an American country music singer
. She was one of the first women in country music, and became one of the first women to reach the top of the country music charts with her No. 1 1953 hit, "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
". Along with Kitty Wells
, she helped set the standard for later women in country music.
The Texas
-born Hill might have had a longer career in country music had she been inclined to pursue it. She had a strong and twangy voice that can be heard in other country singers of the 1960s such as Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette
. With the success of Kitty Wells and her 1952 hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
", Hill was able to pursue her own career after the profit potential of female singers was realized by record companies.
in 1933, a small town southeast of San Antonio. She was the sister of singer Tommy Hill. Goldie played a big role in the Hill family. During her early years, she picked cotton in the fields by her house with her family. Soon Goldie's older brothers, Ken and Tommy, left cotton-picking to become country singers. Within a few years the two were backing up such country singers as Johnny Horton
, Webb Pierce
, and Hank Williams. Goldie was determined to also make it as a country singer. At age 19, she performed on the radio show Louisiana Hayride.
. Her first single, "Why To Talk to My Heart," released in 1952, brought no success for Hill.
Hill recorded the song "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
" the same year. It was an answer song to the Perry Como
pop hit "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
", which was also a hit for two country singers, Slim Willet
and Skeets McDonald
. Willett helped Hill's brother Tommy write the song, as well as writing "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes". The song was originally intended for Kitty Wells, but Hill picked it up first. The song was a hit in 1953, and made it to the top of the country charts. In 1954, she followed up with two hit duets with singer Justin Tubb
, son of Ernest Tubb
. Among their hits together are "Looking Back to See" and "Sure Fire Kisses". As a solo artist, she continued to record on her own as well, and released "I'm Beginning To Feel Mistreated".
In the early 1960s, she recorded two albums for Decca Records, but her singles failed to place in the chart.
in 1957. She then retired to their horse farm south of Nashville
, where she raised their children. She made a short-lived comeback in the late 1960s on the label Epic Records
under the name Goldie Hill Smith. However, her songs and albums failed to make any major impact. Only one of the songs, "Lovable Fool", released in 1968, barely placed in the charts. Under Epic, she released two albums which were unsuccessful; Goldie Sings Again and Country Gentleman's Lady. She then returned to home life on their farm. In the 1970s, following her husband's retirement, Smith and Hill showed their horses professionally.
On February 24, 2005, Hill died from complications of cancer
. She was 72 years old.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She was one of the first women in country music, and became one of the first women to reach the top of the country music charts with her No. 1 1953 hit, "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
"I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes" is country music song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill in 1953.In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful...
". Along with Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells
Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star...
, she helped set the standard for later women in country music.
The Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
-born Hill might have had a longer career in country music had she been inclined to pursue it. She had a strong and twangy voice that can be heard in other country singers of the 1960s such as Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known professionally as Tammy Wynette , was an American country music singer-songwriter and one of the genre's best-known artists and biggest-selling female vocalists....
. With the success of Kitty Wells and her 1952 hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is a 1952 country song written by J. D. "Jay" Miller, and originally recorded by Kitty Wells. It was an answer song to the Hank Thompson hit "The Wild Side of Life."...
", Hill was able to pursue her own career after the profit potential of female singers was realized by record companies.
Early life and rise to fame
Hill was born in Karnes City, TexasKarnes City, Texas
Karnes City is a city in Karnes County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,457 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Karnes County. The town was named after Henry Karnes of the Texas Revolution. Karnes is some twenty-five miles south of Floresville on U.S...
in 1933, a small town southeast of San Antonio. She was the sister of singer Tommy Hill. Goldie played a big role in the Hill family. During her early years, she picked cotton in the fields by her house with her family. Soon Goldie's older brothers, Ken and Tommy, left cotton-picking to become country singers. Within a few years the two were backing up such country singers as Johnny Horton
Johnny Horton
John Gale "Johnny" Horton was an American country music and rockabilly singer most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs" which began the "historical ballad" craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s...
, Webb Pierce
Webb Pierce
Webb Michael Pierce was one of the most popular American honky tonk vocalists of the 1950s, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the decade. His biggest hit was "In The Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955, 21 of them at number one...
, and Hank Williams. Goldie was determined to also make it as a country singer. At age 19, she performed on the radio show Louisiana Hayride.
Recording career in the 1950s and 60s
Hill was soon performing on Louisiana Hayride as part of her brother Tommy's band. On the show, she was dubbed The Golden Hillbilly, and the name stuck with her for the rest of her career. Louisiana Hayride opened even more doors for Hill, and she soon had a contract with Decca RecordsDecca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. Her first single, "Why To Talk to My Heart," released in 1952, brought no success for Hill.
Hill recorded the song "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes
"I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes" is country music song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill in 1953.In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful...
" the same year. It was an answer song to the Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
pop hit "Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes
Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
"Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" is an off meter ballad concerning a man away from home worried that his paramour may unwittingly stray from their relationship. The song was recorded in many different styles by many artists. It was written by Winston L. Moore and was published in 1952...
", which was also a hit for two country singers, Slim Willet
Slim Willet
Slim Willet was an American disc jockey, musician, and songwriter....
and Skeets McDonald
Skeets McDonald
Enos William McDonald , better known as Skeets McDonald, was an American country and rockabilly musician popular during the 1950s and 60s...
. Willett helped Hill's brother Tommy write the song, as well as writing "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes". The song was originally intended for Kitty Wells, but Hill picked it up first. The song was a hit in 1953, and made it to the top of the country charts. In 1954, she followed up with two hit duets with singer Justin Tubb
Justin Tubb
Justin Wayne Tubb was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was the oldest son of legendary country singer Ernest Tubb.-Biography:...
, son of Ernest Tubb
Ernest Tubb
Ernest Dale Tubb , nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, "Walking the Floor Over You" , marked the rise of the honky tonk style of music...
. Among their hits together are "Looking Back to See" and "Sure Fire Kisses". As a solo artist, she continued to record on her own as well, and released "I'm Beginning To Feel Mistreated".
In the early 1960s, she recorded two albums for Decca Records, but her singles failed to place in the chart.
Later career and death
Her musical career was still strong when she decided to marry country singer Carl SmithCarl Smith (country musician)
Carl Milton Smith was an American country music singer. Known as "Mister Country," Smith was the husband of June Carter and Goldie Hill, the drinking companion of Johnny Cash, and the father of Carlene Carter...
in 1957. She then retired to their horse farm south of Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, where she raised their children. She made a short-lived comeback in the late 1960s on the label Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
under the name Goldie Hill Smith. However, her songs and albums failed to make any major impact. Only one of the songs, "Lovable Fool", released in 1968, barely placed in the charts. Under Epic, she released two albums which were unsuccessful; Goldie Sings Again and Country Gentleman's Lady. She then returned to home life on their farm. In the 1970s, following her husband's retirement, Smith and Hill showed their horses professionally.
On February 24, 2005, Hill died from complications of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. She was 72 years old.
Albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Goldie Hill
|
| 1961 | Lonely Heartaches
|
| 1962 | According to My Heart
|
| 1964 | Country Hit Parade
|
| 1967 | Goldie Hill Sings Again
Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A... |
| 1968 | Country Gentleman's Lady
|
Singles
| Year | Song | US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | "Why Talk to My Heart" | — | non-album singles |
| "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes" is country music song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill in 1953.In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful... " |
1 | ||
| 1953 | "I'm Yvonne (On the Bayou)" | — | |
| "My Love Is Flame" | — | ||
| "Let Me Be the One" | — | ||
| 1954 | "Liquor and Women" | — | |
| "Young at Heart" | — | ||
| "Looking Back to See" (with Justin Tubb Justin Tubb Justin Wayne Tubb was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was the oldest son of legendary country singer Ernest Tubb.-Biography:... ) |
4 | ||
| "Cry, Cry Darling" | — | ||
| "Treat Me Kind" | — | ||
| "Sure Fire Kisses" (with Justin Tubb) | 11 | ||
| 1955 | "Are You Mine" (with Red Sovine Red Sovine Woodrow Wilson Sovine , better known as Red Sovine, was an American country music singer associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as narratives but set to music... ) |
14 | |
| "Why Don't You Let Me Go" | — | ||
| "Steel Guitar" | — | ||
| 1956 | "Sample My Kissin'" | — | |
| "Footsteps" | — | ||
| 1957 | "Wasted Love Affair" | — | |
| "Till I Said It to You" | — | ||
| 1959 | "Yankee Go Home" (with Red Sovine) | 17 | |
| "Honky Tonk Music" | — | ||
| 1960 | "Living Alone" | — | |
| "Baby Blue" | — | ||
| 1961 | "It's a Lovely, Lovely World" | — | Goldie Hill |
| "Lonely Heartaches" | — | Lonely Heartaches | |
| "Live for Tomorrow" | — | According to My Heart | |
| 1962 | "I'm Afraid" | — | non-album singles |
| "Little Boy Blue" | — | ||
| 1963 | "Baby Go Slow" | — | |
| "I'm Gonna Bring You Down" | — | Country Hit Parade | |
| "Closer" | — | non-album singles | |
| 1964 | "Don't Let Him" | — | |
| "Three's a Crowd" | — | ||
| 1967 | "There's Gotta Be More to Life (Than Lovin' a Man)" | — | Goldie Hill Sings Again |
| 1968 | "Lovable Fool" | 73 | non-album singles |
| "Got Me Sumpin' Goin'" | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||