Some sad news coming out of Nashville, Tennessee.
Reports from TMZ are suggesting that country music singer Conner Smith was behind the wheel of a truck that struck and killed an elderly woman this past weekend in Nashville.
Smith, who is signed to Big Machine Records, is most prominently known as an artist who rose in the country music ranks thanks to TikTok. His song “I Hate Alabama” went viral a couple of years ago, and fans might also recognize his hit song “Creek Will Rise,” or his Tennessee anthem “Orange and White.”
According to law enforcement, Smith was heading north on 3rd Avenue in Nashville on Sunday, June 8 in his Chevy Silverado as 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins was attempting to cross the street. Nashville authorities have reported that Dobbins – who was a local resident of Nashville – was in a marked crosswalk when she was tragically hit around 7:30 PM.
First responders rushed to the scene following the incident, and the 77-year-old Nashvillian was transported to the nearby Vanderbilt Medical Center. She unfortunately succumbed to her injuries and was officially pronounced dead at the hospital.
Days prior, Conner Smith played at the Carolina Country Music Fest, as you can see from the festival’s post about the 24-year-old artist below:
Smith returned home to Nashville (where CMA Fest was taking place) and performed on the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Saturday afternoon. The fatal incident took place just over 24 hours after he stepped off the festival stage in downtown Nashville.
Early reports are suggesting that Dorothy Dobbins had the right of way in the crosswalk, and that Smith failed to yield to her. The police say that Conner Smith did not show any signs of impairment immediately after the crash, nor was he using his cell phone as he was driving. As of right now, a search of Davidson County court records show that no criminal charges have been filed, but authorities report that the investigation into the crash is still ongoing.
Conner Smith’s attorney confirmed that the country singer was involved in the incident in a statement released to TMZ:
“On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins’ family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the 77-year-old Dorothy Dobbins, who tragically passed away as a result of the accident. Just a terrible situation.
Smith is a Nashville native who was signed to the Valory Music Co., an imprint of Big Machine Records, after the viral success of “I Hate Alabama” back in 2021. He released his debut album Smoky Mountains in January 2024.
Mark Cuban Credits “Creek Will Rise” With Getting Him Into Country Music
Need to get Jimmy Butler to help Cubes out with his playlist.
Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of the ABC show Shark Tank, has apparently just discovered country music. But he says that until recently, his playlist was “ABC: Anything But Country.”
During a recent interview with GQ, the billionaire revealed the song that finally got him listening to country music:
“My playlist just changed 180 degrees about four months ago.
I used to be an ABC guy. ABC is ‘Anything But Country.’
And I started listening to this song by Conner [Smith], ‘Creek Will Rise.’ I’m like, that’s got a beat. And I’m like, ‘Ok, this sh– ain’t so bad.'”
And apparently that one song helped him dip his toe into the water to discover more country music:
“So if you listen to my playlist right now, it’s got some classic rock, it’s got some classic Tupac and Biggie and all that, it’s got some DMX, 2000s, it’s got some J. Cole and Drake, later stuff. But then you’re going to get a whole line of country.
‘What Was I Thinking,’ Dierks Bentley, ‘Creek Will Rise’ by Conner Smith, ‘Next Thing You Know,’ a bunch of Morgan Wallen songs…I’m like, I’m shocking myself. My ABC days are gone, and I’m actually listening to country.
And if you would have told me that six months ago, I would have laughed at you.”
@gqsports “Anything but country” 🤣 #dallasmavs #markcuban #mavericks #mavs #nba #basketball #sharktank #dallas ♬ original sound – GQ Sports
I mean, at least it’s a start. But as many pointed out in the comments, Cuban needs to move beyond the radio country. Check out some guys like Zach Bryan, or Charles Wesley Godwin, or some of the legends like Jones or Waylon or the Hag.
But hey, he’s not ABC anymore. So maybe we’ll hear Wallen, Luke Combs and Chris Stapleton in the Mavs arena soon…just like Jimmy Butler has playing in the Miami Heat locker room.
