Joyce Smith

Joyce Smith was born in Lethbridge before finally settling in Edmonton when she was in the seventh grade. Although not from a musical family, she was awestruck by a babysitter who played guitar, sang and yodeled. From that chance meeting, Joyce Smith knew what she wanted to do.

When she was 14, Joyce auditioned for the local “Jubilee Jamboree” radio show on CHED, became a staple guest on television with appearances on the “Noon Show” and “The Chuckwagon Show” and spent four years as the girl singer in the Rogers Brothers Band performing nationwide with legends like Ray Price, Faron Young, Wilf Carter, Hank Snow and George Jones.

Her work with legendary producer, Owen Bradley at MCA Nashville led to international success, especially with the hit, ‘Leavin’ On Your Mind’, which was later recorded by Patsy Cline in 1963. Joyce fondly recalls meeting the legendary Patsy Cline when she was 16, who gifted her with an autographed album that said “Good luck with your career!”. With its resulting success, Joyce Smith became one of few Canadians to sell well in excess of 100,000 copies of a single in the US. The hit also earned her a nomination for the Canadian Country Music Association’s ‘Most Promising Female Vocalist’

Joyce’s career has resulted in world travel, six recorded albums and numerous singles. In 1991, Joyce was inducted into the Alberta Country Music Hall of Fame, received the prestigious, ‘Bev Munro Award of Dedication’ in 2002, was honoured by the Alberta Women of Country Music with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 2004, and was inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame’ in the United states in 2007.

Joyce has recorded, performed and worked diligently through her life for the betterment of Canadian country music from the tender age of nine, when she first played and sang at her first show. Joyce continues to tour, record and perform on a regular basis.