Ethel Smith was a renowned classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on November 22, 1910, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a musical family. Her father was a church organist, and her mother was a pianist. Ethel showed an interest in music from a young age and began playing the piano at the age of three. Ethel's parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue music. She began taking piano lessons and later learned to play the organ. She attended Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where she studied music and graduated with a degree in music education. After completing her studies, Ethel began her career as a church organist. She played at various churches in Pittsburgh and gained a reputation as a talented musician. In 1934, she was offered a job as an organist at the famous Wurlitzer organ in the Paramount Theater in New York City. This was a significant opportunity for Ethel, and she accepted the offer. Ethel's performances at the Paramount Theater were a huge success, and she quickly became a popular figure in the music industry. She was known for her unique style of playing, which combined classical music with popular tunes. Her performances were a blend of classical music, jazz, and swing, which appealed to a wide audience. In 1940, Ethel signed a contract with Decca Records and began recording her music. Her first recording, "Tico Tico," became an instant hit and sold over a million copies. This was followed by several other successful recordings, including "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" and "The Breeze and I." Ethel's popularity continued to grow, and she became a regular performer on radio and television shows. She appeared on several popular shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Arthur Godfrey Show." Her performances on these shows were highly acclaimed, and she became a household name. In 1950, Ethel was offered a job as the organist for the NBC television show "The Perry Como Show." This was a significant opportunity for Ethel, and she accepted the offer. She became a regular performer on the show and gained a new audience. Ethel's performances on "The Perry Como Show" were highly acclaimed, and she became known as the "First Lady of the Hammond Organ." She continued to perform on the show for several years and became a popular figure in the music industry. In 1956, Ethel was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the music industry. This was a significant achievement for Ethel, and she was proud of the recognition. Ethel continued to perform and record music throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She released several albums, including "The Many Moods of Ethel Smith" and "Ethel Smith at the Organ." Her music continued to be popular, and she remained a respected figure in the music industry. Ethel retired from performing in the 1980s and returned to Pittsburgh, where she lived until her death in 1996. She was remembered as a talented musician who made a significant contribution to the world of music. In conclusion, Ethel Smith was a talented classical music artist who made a significant contribution to the world of music. Her unique style of playing, which combined classical music with popular tunes, appealed to a wide audience. She was a regular performer on radio and television shows and gained a new audience. Ethel's performances were highly acclaimed, and she became known as the "First Lady of the Hammond Organ.

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