After completing a psychology degree at Southern University, Smith joined the Air Force, and served throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.

While in the Air Force, Smith began entering talent contests and toured with Horace Heidt.

Smith gained his first break as a singer with Sy Oliver and made an appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts.

[2] Smith was also in demand elsewhere as vocalist and under-billed on Art Mooney's Jan 1956 MGM cover version of the Little Richard hit "Tutti Frutti".

[1] He continued to record, reaching the R&B, Adult Contemporary and pop charts in his home country with the likes of "Daddy's Little Man",[5] "Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife", "Me and You" and "Love To Burn".

[9] His book, Little Green Apples: God Really Did Make Them, that he co-wrote with James Shaw, was published posthumously in 2003.