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Texas Jazz Man Helps GM Hit the Right Notes
February 8, 2011 at 4:23 pm
George (Chuck) Smith likes to make sweet sounds. As a musician he has played with some of the top names in jazz and has produced beautiful music for fans. Chuck also likes to prevent ugly noises. As an inspector at the GM Arlington Assembly Plant he says, “I do the body air leak check. We make sure the truck is soundproof. You don’t want to hear air coming through there.” He makes sure the full-size SUVs provide a quiet ride for owners. He’s a man with a good ear and a great passion.
Chuck has kept his dual-track careers going for more than three decades. He’s been working for General Motors for nearly 34 years, and for about the same amount of time he’s been playing bass professionally. He even had a television career for a while. “I was on a TV program back in the day. It was called Dallas Alive with Peter Marshall. We were the house band for the show and that was a lot of fun. It was like a daytime version of The Tonight Show and had special guests come on.” But don’t think music is something he did in the past or does on a small scale. He’s still playing with some of best. “I have a host of people I’ve played with. Some of the popular ones: jazz pianist Jeff Lorber, Ken Navarro, Alex Bugnon, Phil Perry, Marion Meadows, Joe McBride, and the list goes on and on in the jazz industry. I’ve been 20 years playing jazz.”
Chuck is known for his bass playing and he has even recorded a CD. It’s titled Basically Bass and is available
on Amazon and on iTunes, among other places. He says, “The whole idea behind the CD was to let people know that bass has a voice, also. Most of the time bass is considered a side instrument to back up an artist. Bass needs to be heard.”
Despite his success in the high-profile music business, he is committed to his job with GM. He says the GM job “was the family thing.” It provided stability and benefits. “Music sometimes goes up and down, it’s like a roller coaster. I didn’t want to put them through that.”
And he’s proud of the vehicles the team at Arlington Assembly produces. He says, “The truck that we build at our plant is a worldwide truck. When the industry is down the world is going to demand something and they seem to love our SUVs, our (Cadillac) Escalades, our (GMC) Yukon Denalis, our (Chevrolet) Tahoe Hybrids.”
His nickname of Chuck dates back to when he was a small child. His twin sister was called Ducky and he was known as Chucky. He says, “When I got to Texas I dropped the “y”” Today no one is asking why he continues to pursue two careers. It’s pretty obvious that he’s darn good at both of them.
For more information on Chuck Smith’s music check out his website: www.bassicallybass.webs.com
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Feb 8th, 2011
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Nakea Smith
Feb 9th, 2011
Thats my pops!
Debbie McClain
Feb 9th, 2011
Chuck followed in the footsteps of his dad in many ways. his dad was also a GM man in Kansas City, Missouri’s old Chevrolet Plant. Chuck’s dad and gradfather was also great musicians. I’m proud of you baby brother. Your Sis in KC, Debbie.
Beckie Hayes
Feb 9th, 2011
Awesome!!!! Awesome!!!!!!
Beckie Hayes
Kelvin
Feb 9th, 2011
Way to go Chuck!!! Thanks for sharing Nakea.
Billy
Feb 9th, 2011
Way to go George. Hey my dad worked at the Kansas City Mo. plant. Till we came here in 1954
Mel (Fox) Corrigan
Feb 10th, 2011
Great piece, Chuck!!! Keep on doing what you do.. jammin’ and keeping our trucks quiet!
Shera Shaw
Feb 10th, 2011
I am going to stop by and get your autograph!
Ella Harden
Feb 10th, 2011
Chuck we are very proud of you and the GM trucks you build.
Erica Murrell
Feb 11th, 2011
This is a great post!!! Keep the music and the trucks moving!!!!
Julie Edwards
Feb 13th, 2011
I am proud to work with Chuck at the Arlington Plant! He is a very talented musician!!