Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith Collier, known as “Little Lucy” was a gospel singer, pianist, organist, and composer. Her grace at the keyboard and talent as a singer and composer led to gospel fame, first in the early 1950s as she led the female gospel group, The (Little) Lucy Smith Singers. In the late 1950s to early 1960s she became a vocalist and accompanist for the Roberta Martin Singers, and arranged much of their music. Lucy was born and raised in Chicago, the daughter of the Rev. James Austin and his wife, Viola Smith. Her mother, Viola, passed away when she was two years old, and thereafter, she was raised by her father and her maternal grandmother, a Holiness Pentecostal minister and healer, Elder Lucy Smith, who was considered to be the 1st black woman pastor to establish a church in Chicago. To distinguish her from her grandmother, she was called "Little Lucy Smith" as a child, a nickname that she continued to use during her gospel career. She began playing organ at her grandmother’s church, All Nations Pentecostal Church at age twelve. She captivated the congregations with her music, which helped draw more worshippers to the already popular church. In 1933, the church began broadcasting its worship services on the radio through their "Glorious Church of the Air" program, becoming one of the first black churches to broadcast its services. Through the radio program, Little Lucy Smith's music was heard by people far beyond the Chicago area. Among her more well-known compositions are "Oh My Lord, What a Time", "What a Blessing in Jesus," and "He's my Light," which became a hit for the Roberta Martin Singers. Roberta Martin was also her stepmother. Lucy suffered a stroke in her 50s, which ended her professional career as an accompanist. She continued to sing however. In 1981, the Smithsonian Institute held a ceremony to honor the Roberta Martin Singers, and many of her gospel songs were acquired by the Smithsonian. She passed away in 2010, at the age of 85. After her death, Gospel music producer Anthony Heilbut, recognized Little Lucy Smith, as she was accoladed as one of the most premier gospel music composers and instrumentalists. “She is one of the most influential gospel pianists who ever played." Rev. James Cleveland and Richard Smallwood, among others, were influenced by her style of playing.