Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith was a pioneering American guitarist, composer, and bandleader best known for his groundbreaking instrumental hit "Guitar Boogie," released in the late 1940s. The song, blending elements of country, boogie-woogie, and early rock, became one of the first guitar-driven tunes to become a major crossover hit, influencing generations of guitarists. Smith was not only a gifted performer on guitar, but also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who played fiddle, banjo, and mandolin.

In addition to his performance career, Smith was a prolific composer and television personality. One of his best-known compositions, "Feudin' Banjos"—later popularized as "Dueling Banjos"—became famous after its use in the 1972 film Deliverance, leading to a successful lawsuit for proper credit. A trailblazer in both country and early rock circles, Arthur Smith's legacy continues to resonate through the sound of modern guitar music.

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