Country Music Legend Cal Smith Dead At 81

Country Music Superstar Garth Brooks once said that, while he realized 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' was a great song and generally considered the greatest song in Country Music History, his personal favorite of all-time was 'Country Bumpkin'.

The man who made 'Country Bumpkin' one of the greatest songs in Country Music history has died.

Cal Smith passed away Thursday October 10th in Branson, Missouri at the age of 81.

Grant Calvin Shofner was born April 7, 1932 in Gans, Oklahoma and became one of the biggest star's in Country Music as Cal Smith.  In the early 1960's Cal became a member of Ernest Tubb's legendary Texas Troubadours, remaining with the Band until 1968.

While 1974's 'Country Bumpkin' would become Cal's signature song, his beautiful baritone would also be heard on great Country Hit's like 1973's 'The Lord Knows I'm Drinkin'', seen and heard in this video.

Cal also topped the Country Music chart's with a song that, several years later, John Anderson would have a major hit with.  Here's Cal's great hit 'I Just Came Home To Count The Memories'.

Cal is survived by his wife Darlene, a son, Calvin and 5 Grandchildren and 15 Great-Grandchildren.