March 8th, 2019

T.D. “Kit Smith.
“From A Prison...To The Free World.”

1982
Turquoise Records
Music by The Buckaroos
Recorded at Bucks Owens Studio in Bakersfield, CA.
Produced by Bill Woods

I had to find some way to tie this back to Harlan Howard given the title of this outfit. As you’ll read, you see the connection.

            This is Kits lone album. He too, like his hero, Merle Haggard, spent time in prison in San Quentin. He was a truck driver out of Bakersfield, California, where his singing career then took off. He was named the “Best Gospel Vocalist of the Year” by the Bakersfield Country Music Awards.

            If you listen closely, you may be able to hear a familiar sound.

            If you can’t hear it, well, I’ll tell you. The band is none other than Buck Owens’ Buckaroos. Listening to the album, you hear more Merle than Buck. This album was recorded in Buck Owens Studios, and produced by Bill Woods. Yes, THAT Bill Woods who gave Buck Owens his big break playing in Bill’s band, the Orange Blossom Playboys at the Blackboard in Bakersfield. This was the only album released on Bill Woods’ Turquoise Records. There we a handful of singles, mostly by Kit, but this was the only full length album.

            As for the connection to Harlan Howard. Well, the connection to Buck Owens, and Buck’s first album are all songs written by Harlan Howard. Stretch? Possibly, but connected nonetheless.

Thanks for reading & listening!

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If you have more or any info on Kit, please let me know. It’s damn near impossible to find anything on him.