Homer Smith: b. 1915, d. 2012

Notes by Will Partain:

Homer Smith (b. 1915, d. 2012) “liked to sing -- a lot. He was a shaped-note guy, but probably more Stamps/Baxter than the "old fashioned" kind. And generally a character. He married two women named Hazel. The first died quite shortly after they married; the second made it 60 years.”

Homer appeared (2010-ish?) at the Life Enrichment Center in Shelby, NC, where Will Partain's mother, Ruth, was a participant. Homer talked about singing a lot, and the connection was made. Homer gave Will his Christian Harmony book (1994), and Will passed it on to Harry Campbell, “the godfather of shapenote singing in Scotland” (according to Will...). The Blue Ridge Style reaches the lochs and glens!

Will has a copy of the DVD of Homer's memorial service (just ask). Some people went and sang with Homer right at the end of his life. They put two songs of that on the DVD.

Tunes led