Sykes "Smith" Ballew (January 21, 1902 â€" May 2, 1984) was an
American actor, sophisticated singer, orchestra leader, and a western
singing star. He also was billed as Buddy Blue, Charles Roberts, and
Billy Smith.The son of William Young Ballew and his wife, May
Elizabeth Smith Ballew, he was born in Palestine, Texas in 1902, where
he grew up attending local schools. He attended Sherman High School,
Austin College and the University of Texas.During his time at Austin
College, Ballew and his brother, Charlie, formed the Texasjazzers
orchestra. Before that, he organized Jimmie's Joys jazz combo at the
university, playing banjo and singing with the group.Starting in the
late 1920s, he became one of the most recognizable vocalists on
hundreds of dance band and jazz records, based in New York City.
During this time, Ballew along with Scrappy Lambert, Dick Robertson,
and Chick Bullock were the most prolific studio vocalists. In 1929, he
organized the Smith Ballew Orchestra, with a focus on his singing.
American actor, sophisticated singer, orchestra leader, and a western
singing star. He also was billed as Buddy Blue, Charles Roberts, and
Billy Smith.The son of William Young Ballew and his wife, May
Elizabeth Smith Ballew, he was born in Palestine, Texas in 1902, where
he grew up attending local schools. He attended Sherman High School,
Austin College and the University of Texas.During his time at Austin
College, Ballew and his brother, Charlie, formed the Texasjazzers
orchestra. Before that, he organized Jimmie's Joys jazz combo at the
university, playing banjo and singing with the group.Starting in the
late 1920s, he became one of the most recognizable vocalists on
hundreds of dance band and jazz records, based in New York City.
During this time, Ballew along with Scrappy Lambert, Dick Robertson,
and Chick Bullock were the most prolific studio vocalists. In 1929, he
organized the Smith Ballew Orchestra, with a focus on his singing.
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