Texas radio personality Tumbleweed Smith will be the guest speaker at the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church's Garrett Hall. Smith is the producer of The Sound of Texas, a widely syndicated radio show in Texas featuring the colorful ever day characters who make up Texas. (Courtesy Photo)
“My speech focuses on what makes Big Spring a wonderful place to live,” said Smith, a long-time resident of the city. “I'll talk about some of the characters and play some voices of the people who gave this city its personality. My presentation is intended to be fun, enjoyable, nostalgic, historic and informative.”
Tumbleweed Smith is producer of “The Sound of Texas,” a radio series that began in Big Spring and became the most widely syndicated radio show in Texas.
The luncheon is set for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the First United Methodist Church Garrett Hall, 400 Scurry St. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce, 215 W. Third. For more information, call 267-5201.
Along with his impressive 40-year career in broadcast journalism, Smith has also authored two books, produced 10 CDs, been recognized by the Texas Legislature and is a world traveler.
Smith has gathered the largest private collection of oral history in the United States. Texas Highways Magazine states he has probably recorded the voices of more Texas characters than anyone else.
Smith graduated from Baylor University, earned his master's in journalism from the University of Missouri and studied law at Drake University.
He owns an advertising and production company and has won international recognition for his work. His honors include two Clio advertising awards, the governor’s award for tourism, the West Texas Chamber of Commerce Cultural Achievement Award and two Freedoms Foundation Awards.
Smith has taught broadcasting and speech at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin for 34 years. He is a syndicated newspaper columnist and his three one-man shows have been performed across Texas and in six other states and three foreign countries.
He is an active member in the community and has served as past district governor of Rotary International. He is married to Susan and the couple have two sons and four grandsons.
“What I really like to do is travel down small Texas roads and meet the characters and storytellers who live there,” he said. “Then share my findings with audiences all over the country.”
He has performed at some of the most unique events in Texas: The Toad Holler Hoot in De Soto, the Luling Watermelon Thump, the Hondo Hootenanny, the Rabbit Twister Pageant in Robert Lee, the Anvil Shoot in Hamilton and the Fire Ant Festival in Marshall.
