Rev. Chester Smith was a family friend for my entire life. Many times he graced our table for my mom's cooking. His Mother, known to me as "Sister Smith" attended a small church In Oakdale, California where I used to preach and help with leading music. To me he was "THE" Chester Smith, but to my parents, he was simply Chester.
Smith died August 8, 2008 at the Stanford Medical facility in Palo Alto of heart failure. He is survived by his wife Ann-Lesley and three daughters by his first marriage, Laura, Lorna and Roxanne and 11 grandchildren. Burial was at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Hughson, CA. after private services at St. Johns Chapel of the Valley.
Born in Durant, Oklahoma on March 29, 1930, Chester was the son of Louis and Effie Smith who came to California in 1935.
In 1942 his family moved to Turlock and shortly thereafter moved to Modesto. Smith sang on a local radio station (KTRB) when he was 12, and by the age of 16, started his own DJ program on KTRB.
in 1953, he signed a recording contract with Capitol records.
In 1966, Chester put channel 19, KLOC-TV in Modesto, on the air on August 26, 1966.
Channel 19 became a giant in northern California for Spanish programming. It was the original Spanish language station north of Los Angeles and later it became the flagship for all stations in northern and central California and northern Nevada for the network. It was a business partnership with SIN for 30 years, until 1996 when Smith sold channel 19 to SIN for $40 million and stock valued at an additional $45 million. After the ownership change, their business name was changed to Univision.
In 2000, Chester made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry where he and lifelong friend Merle Haggard sang together.
In 2002, He and Haggard recorded a country music CD.
In 2005, Smith and his wife/songwriter, Ann Lesley Smith, recorded a CD titled "Captured by Love" at a studio in Hayward.
When asked about retiring, Smith would say.... "I don't want to rust out," "I'd rather wear out." His heart wore out at the age of 78.
∼Chester Smith started his career as a country music singer and radio broadcaster and built a television station empire based in the Modesto, Calif., area that earned him millions and the respect of those he inspired.
He died at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, according to the tour manager of his longtime friend, country music star Merle Haggard.
Smith became a country music star with his hit song "Wait a Little Longer, Please, Jesus" and his Northern California radio and television shows in the 1950s.
During his radio-TV announcer days of the 1940s through the 1960s, a who's who in country music worked with Smith. The names included Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Hank Thompson, Jerry Lee Lewis and even rocker Chuck Berry. Smith went on to create a media empire that stretched the length of the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, from Bakersfield to Oregon. He owned Modesto-based Sainte Partners II, which owns and operates TV stations in California and Oregon.
In 2001, Smith completed a two-year project with Haggard. The country gospel album, "California Blend" revived Smith's singing career in his early 70s.
Smith's roots in the Central Valley were established when his family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl and settled in a migrant camp in Tranquility, a small town about 30 miles west of Fresno, according to the Modesto Radio Museum Web site.
Smith created Northern California's first Spanish-language radio station, and he later was honored for his work by the Latino Community Roundtable of Stanislaus County. In 2002, Smith was honored with the Modesto Area Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith also received the Pioneer Award from the Christian Country Music Association in Nashville, Tenn., which recognizes groundbreakers in the areas of music and broadcasting.
Note: For a more complete bio visit www.hillbilly-music.com/artists
Smith died August 8, 2008 at the Stanford Medical facility in Palo Alto of heart failure. He is survived by his wife Ann-Lesley and three daughters by his first marriage, Laura, Lorna and Roxanne and 11 grandchildren. Burial was at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Hughson, CA. after private services at St. Johns Chapel of the Valley.
Born in Durant, Oklahoma on March 29, 1930, Chester was the son of Louis and Effie Smith who came to California in 1935.
In 1942 his family moved to Turlock and shortly thereafter moved to Modesto. Smith sang on a local radio station (KTRB) when he was 12, and by the age of 16, started his own DJ program on KTRB.
in 1953, he signed a recording contract with Capitol records.
In 1966, Chester put channel 19, KLOC-TV in Modesto, on the air on August 26, 1966.
Channel 19 became a giant in northern California for Spanish programming. It was the original Spanish language station north of Los Angeles and later it became the flagship for all stations in northern and central California and northern Nevada for the network. It was a business partnership with SIN for 30 years, until 1996 when Smith sold channel 19 to SIN for $40 million and stock valued at an additional $45 million. After the ownership change, their business name was changed to Univision.
In 2000, Chester made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry where he and lifelong friend Merle Haggard sang together.
In 2002, He and Haggard recorded a country music CD.
In 2005, Smith and his wife/songwriter, Ann Lesley Smith, recorded a CD titled "Captured by Love" at a studio in Hayward.
When asked about retiring, Smith would say.... "I don't want to rust out," "I'd rather wear out." His heart wore out at the age of 78.
∼Chester Smith started his career as a country music singer and radio broadcaster and built a television station empire based in the Modesto, Calif., area that earned him millions and the respect of those he inspired.
He died at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, according to the tour manager of his longtime friend, country music star Merle Haggard.
Smith became a country music star with his hit song "Wait a Little Longer, Please, Jesus" and his Northern California radio and television shows in the 1950s.
During his radio-TV announcer days of the 1940s through the 1960s, a who's who in country music worked with Smith. The names included Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Hank Thompson, Jerry Lee Lewis and even rocker Chuck Berry. Smith went on to create a media empire that stretched the length of the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, from Bakersfield to Oregon. He owned Modesto-based Sainte Partners II, which owns and operates TV stations in California and Oregon.
In 2001, Smith completed a two-year project with Haggard. The country gospel album, "California Blend" revived Smith's singing career in his early 70s.
Smith's roots in the Central Valley were established when his family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl and settled in a migrant camp in Tranquility, a small town about 30 miles west of Fresno, according to the Modesto Radio Museum Web site.
Smith created Northern California's first Spanish-language radio station, and he later was honored for his work by the Latino Community Roundtable of Stanislaus County. In 2002, Smith was honored with the Modesto Area Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith also received the Pioneer Award from the Christian Country Music Association in Nashville, Tenn., which recognizes groundbreakers in the areas of music and broadcasting.
Note: For a more complete bio visit www.hillbilly-music.com/artists
Rev. Chester Smith was a family friend for my entire life. Many times he graced our table for my mom's cooking. His Mother, known to me as "Sister Smith" attended a small church In Oakdale, California where I used to preach and help with leading music. To me he was "THE" Chester Smith, but to my parents, he was simply Chester.
Smith died August 8, 2008 at the Stanford Medical facility in Palo Alto of heart failure. He is survived by his wife Ann-Lesley and three daughters by his first marriage, Laura, Lorna and Roxanne and 11 grandchildren. Burial was at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Hughson, CA. after private services at St. Johns Chapel of the Valley.
Born in Durant, Oklahoma on March 29, 1930, Chester was the son of Louis and Effie Smith who came to California in 1935.
In 1942 his family moved to Turlock and shortly thereafter moved to Modesto. Smith sang on a local radio station (KTRB) when he was 12, and by the age of 16, started his own DJ program on KTRB.
in 1953, he signed a recording contract with Capitol records.
In 1966, Chester put channel 19, KLOC-TV in Modesto, on the air on August 26, 1966.
Channel 19 became a giant in northern California for Spanish programming. It was the original Spanish language station north of Los Angeles and later it became the flagship for all stations in northern and central California and northern Nevada for the network. It was a business partnership with SIN for 30 years, until 1996 when Smith sold channel 19 to SIN for $40 million and stock valued at an additional $45 million. After the ownership change, their business name was changed to Univision.
In 2000, Chester made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry where he and lifelong friend Merle Haggard sang together.
In 2002, He and Haggard recorded a country music CD.
In 2005, Smith and his wife/songwriter, Ann Lesley Smith, recorded a CD titled "Captured by Love" at a studio in Hayward.
When asked about retiring, Smith would say.... "I don't want to rust out," "I'd rather wear out." His heart wore out at the age of 78.
∼Chester Smith started his career as a country music singer and radio broadcaster and built a television station empire based in the Modesto, Calif., area that earned him millions and the respect of those he inspired.
He died at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, according to the tour manager of his longtime friend, country music star Merle Haggard.
Smith became a country music star with his hit song "Wait a Little Longer, Please, Jesus" and his Northern California radio and television shows in the 1950s.
During his radio-TV announcer days of the 1940s through the 1960s, a who's who in country music worked with Smith. The names included Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Hank Thompson, Jerry Lee Lewis and even rocker Chuck Berry. Smith went on to create a media empire that stretched the length of the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, from Bakersfield to Oregon. He owned Modesto-based Sainte Partners II, which owns and operates TV stations in California and Oregon.
In 2001, Smith completed a two-year project with Haggard. The country gospel album, "California Blend" revived Smith's singing career in his early 70s.
Smith's roots in the Central Valley were established when his family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl and settled in a migrant camp in Tranquility, a small town about 30 miles west of Fresno, according to the Modesto Radio Museum Web site.
Smith created Northern California's first Spanish-language radio station, and he later was honored for his work by the Latino Community Roundtable of Stanislaus County. In 2002, Smith was honored with the Modesto Area Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith also received the Pioneer Award from the Christian Country Music Association in Nashville, Tenn., which recognizes groundbreakers in the areas of music and broadcasting.
Note: For a more complete bio visit www.hillbilly-music.com/artists
Smith died August 8, 2008 at the Stanford Medical facility in Palo Alto of heart failure. He is survived by his wife Ann-Lesley and three daughters by his first marriage, Laura, Lorna and Roxanne and 11 grandchildren. Burial was at Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Hughson, CA. after private services at St. Johns Chapel of the Valley.
Born in Durant, Oklahoma on March 29, 1930, Chester was the son of Louis and Effie Smith who came to California in 1935.
In 1942 his family moved to Turlock and shortly thereafter moved to Modesto. Smith sang on a local radio station (KTRB) when he was 12, and by the age of 16, started his own DJ program on KTRB.
in 1953, he signed a recording contract with Capitol records.
In 1966, Chester put channel 19, KLOC-TV in Modesto, on the air on August 26, 1966.
Channel 19 became a giant in northern California for Spanish programming. It was the original Spanish language station north of Los Angeles and later it became the flagship for all stations in northern and central California and northern Nevada for the network. It was a business partnership with SIN for 30 years, until 1996 when Smith sold channel 19 to SIN for $40 million and stock valued at an additional $45 million. After the ownership change, their business name was changed to Univision.
In 2000, Chester made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry where he and lifelong friend Merle Haggard sang together.
In 2002, He and Haggard recorded a country music CD.
In 2005, Smith and his wife/songwriter, Ann Lesley Smith, recorded a CD titled "Captured by Love" at a studio in Hayward.
When asked about retiring, Smith would say.... "I don't want to rust out," "I'd rather wear out." His heart wore out at the age of 78.
∼Chester Smith started his career as a country music singer and radio broadcaster and built a television station empire based in the Modesto, Calif., area that earned him millions and the respect of those he inspired.
He died at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, according to the tour manager of his longtime friend, country music star Merle Haggard.
Smith became a country music star with his hit song "Wait a Little Longer, Please, Jesus" and his Northern California radio and television shows in the 1950s.
During his radio-TV announcer days of the 1940s through the 1960s, a who's who in country music worked with Smith. The names included Marty Robbins, Del Reeves, Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Hank Thompson, Jerry Lee Lewis and even rocker Chuck Berry. Smith went on to create a media empire that stretched the length of the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, from Bakersfield to Oregon. He owned Modesto-based Sainte Partners II, which owns and operates TV stations in California and Oregon.
In 2001, Smith completed a two-year project with Haggard. The country gospel album, "California Blend" revived Smith's singing career in his early 70s.
Smith's roots in the Central Valley were established when his family moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl and settled in a migrant camp in Tranquility, a small town about 30 miles west of Fresno, according to the Modesto Radio Museum Web site.
Smith created Northern California's first Spanish-language radio station, and he later was honored for his work by the Latino Community Roundtable of Stanislaus County. In 2002, Smith was honored with the Modesto Area Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Smith also received the Pioneer Award from the Christian Country Music Association in Nashville, Tenn., which recognizes groundbreakers in the areas of music and broadcasting.
Note: For a more complete bio visit www.hillbilly-music.com/artists
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