At the early age of 13 years old, Jack Smith was initiated into the world of Gospel music. Jack's parents were Assembly of God Pastors in California, and they knew that they needed to get Jack involved in something that would keep him clear of the easy traps of the world, especially coming from such an “anything goes” place like California, and music was the thing. Jack decided that the instrument for him was the steel guitar. He had lofty goals, and a big dream about playing for someone “big” in this genre, since there weren't many steel guitars on Southern Gospel music.
By the age of 16, Jack was so accomplished that his name was already being shoveled around from one group to another, just in case they might be looking for a steel guitar player. During the summer of his 16th birthday, Jack had been traveling for two summers with a part time Gospel group, who would go out east every summer. Jack gained some valuable experience during this time but that summer he got really homesick. Knowing that his parents were away on vacation, Jack called home, just to hear his phone ringing. It was quite a surprise to him when he called home and got a busy signal. After a couple of moments of thinking that it was probably just someone calling his house at the same time he was calling, Jack's curiosity got the best of him, and he called again. This time someone answered. It was his brother-in-law. He told Jack that he was just "fixing to call him." “Jack”, he said, “you'll never guess who I was just talking too”. His brother-in-law said, “I was just talking to Rusty Goodman, and he wants you to come play the steel guitar for the Happy Goodman Family.” Jack said he couldn't have guessed in a million years. This was a dream come true, but he was pinching himself to make sure that it was real.
It wasn't perfect, after all, the Goodman's were wanting him to audition, he didn't have the job for sure. So, at 16 years old, he scraped up every penny he had and had enough money to buy a bus ticket and had just enough money left over to get a motel room for one night. As it happened, the Goodmans were taping the “Jubilee” program in Nashville, TN, so they auditioned him on that set where the Dixie Echoes and the Florida Boys were also performing. Jack played his heart out and knew that he had performed as best he could, but the Goodmans told him that they would let him know “tomorrow”. He headed back to his motel room and was about to call his dad and ask him for the money to get home, and just forget about this Gospel Music stuff, when Dale Shelnut from the Dixie Echoes pulled him aside and told him that if the Goodmans didn't hire him, he had a job with them. Similarly, a few minutes later, Les Beasley of the Florida Boys told him that if the Goodmans didn't hire him, he had a job with them. Suddenly he knew that he had a future in Gospel music, and his dream had come true.
In addition to playing steel guitar for the Happy Goodmans, Jack also worked in their studio, and learned the ins and outs of the recording end of the industry. This would prove to take Jack another step forward in the plan that God had laid out for him.
After 4 ½ years with the Happy Goodmans, Jack moved on and ventured some into the Country music genre, playing for some of the biggest names in the business. He played in the bands of such Country stars as Ronnie Milsap, and Bill Anderson, and was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry. Though he was having great success, he wasn't content with what he was doing, so while playing at a recording sessions, he kept his hands in Gospel Music. On one occasion, they only played nine songs of tracks. Jack asked the producer why they stopped early; he was informed that they were using a track that had been recorded by another group earlier. Wheels started rolling in Jack's mind at the thought of hundreds of groups and artists who would be interested in recording records with previously recorded tracks. After some investigation, he found that there were already a couple of companies doing that but only one was offering them in two keys. He was interested when he found that high and low keys varied only a step or two, and that really wasn't meeting the need of people who might be interested in recording.
From an accidental happening of someone using a prerecorded track, Jack came up with the idea of a company putting out tracks in three legimate keys. That was the birth of PraiseHymn Soundtracks. The concept grew quickly in Southern Gospel, but not nearly as fast as in the CCM side of Gospel music. Staying true to his first love, Jack continued to produce Southern Gospel tracks, but the company really excelled in producing CCM soundtracks. Soon they were the biggest soundtrack company in the Gospel industry. Jack also included in this business the reproduction of the soundtracks. This side of the business was called The Tape Factory. Business was good. Jack was able to spend time with his family, not traveling across the country playing music, and yet still able to do spots on the Grand Ole Opry. In addition he could still work in the studios if he wanted.
One day Jack got a phone call with an attractive offer to buy the PraiseHymn Soundtrack business. After praying about the offer, Jack decided that it was time to move on, so he sold the soundtrack business and was wondering where God would lead him next. To Jack's surprise, the buyers weren't interested in what was now called The Tape and Disc Factory. It didn't take long before Jack understood that God was leaving him with a business where he could help others in the industry.
As long as I can remember, I was told that if you were going to order tapes or CDs for your project, you would have to order at least 500 or 1,000 at a time. Here's where Jack is able to help other ministries. When you call The Tape and Disc Factory, they will ask you how many you want. That's not how many thousand you want, but simply, "How many do you want?" I was shocked when I had called Jack to see about reproducing our latest project. I asked how many I had to order and they said only what I needed. Always trying to press a point, I said, how about thirty. They said sure, that's no problem. On top of that the price for thirty was very reasonable. Of course as I do order those thousands at a time, there is a good price break, but the price for thirty was much more reasonable than I had ever thought it would be. Jack says that this is his part in others ministries. He has found a way to allow all groups to order what they need without having to go to the bank and mortgage their house to do so. The quality is great, the price is great, and on top of that, Jack will gladly share with you about his Happy Goodman days.
Stop by and visit Jack at The Tape and Disc Factory at 1100 Menzler Road
Nashville, TN 37210 or give him a call at 615-255-5947 or
800-305-TAPE. You can also visit his website at www.tapeanddiscfactory.com.
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 09/30/2004
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Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 7
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I have known Jack Smith since he was about 18 years of age and playing for the Goodmans. Jack has played on many sessions for me thru the years and has been a long and trusted friend for just as long. When I was with Milsap, Ronnie told me he needed to replace a steel player in his band and I gave him the name of Jack Smith. He asked me to call Jack, which I did, and Jack came over to the studio to play for Ronnie, who had been auditioning several steel players that week. When Jack played for Ronnie the auditions were over right then. Jack got the job. Jack has built a great business and I trust them for all my duplications needs. He still plays a few sessions now and again, and he is still one of the best of the best. I love Jack!
A few years back I managed the office of a southern gospel music group. If it hadn’t been for the help and guidance of Jack I would have stumbled many times. He’s an extremely nice person who takes his successful business very seriously. Not only is he a businessman, but he’s an excellent musician being an artist at the steel guitar. I’m honored to know him.
Jack is not only a GREAT guy and a good friend, he is also one of the best business men I have ever met. His imput and advice has been a real asset to my company. You would be wise to contact him for you duplication needs. Keep up the good work Jack. And thanks for the friendship.
I met Jack a few years ago. He was a big encouragement to me. I can honestly say that he is a great business man. He is the best in this business and I highly recommend him. Please contact him for all of your duplicating needs.
I first met Jack back in the "Goodman" days. I used to think I couldn't record without Jack being involved in the project. (Ha!) One thing I always appreciated was his diplomatic approach to getting things done right instead of barking orders. He had a way of getting his idea across while letting others think they came up with it themselves. Any way,it's great to see Jack and his company doing so well.
Im looking for a song I heard on the radio I dont know the artist or the name of the song,but the
Jack Smith has proven to be a man of his word and that's hard to find these days. I have worked with Jack on several projects and he has been a man of integrity. I would tell anyone looking for a production company to call Jack @ Tape and Disc. Thanks for the article. It was great.
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