For a time in the early '50s Arthur Smith & The Crackerjacks had a show on WBT called "The Corner Store." Ralph Smith played himself as well as a fictional character, a black man (named Smoky or something like that). Once they went out to a real little store on Steele Creek Road to shoot promotion stills. But there was a problem: what about Smoky, the non-existent black man? Somebody had a great idea; Lester Staton, the company custodian, was enlisted to play the role. Problem solved.

From left: Lester Staton, Arthur Smith, Clyde McLean, Ralph Smith, Roy Lear and Sonny Smith with guitar.

Photo courtesy Jim Scancarelli