Jerry Lee “Smoochy” Smith is a self-taught pianist and vocalist. He plays piano in the style of rockabilly, country, boogie, blues, and gospel. He became interested in playing the piano when he was 9 years old. By the age of 14, he was already playing professionally.
Smoochy was one of the first rockabilly piano players in Memphis and was instrumental in creating “the great Memphis pumping piano sound.” He was the staff piano player for Sun Records from 1957 to 1959. He played on numerous record sessions at Sun as part of the house band that backed up many rockabilly legends. He recorded with Billy Lee Riley, Ace Cannon, Warren Smith, and others. Smoochy was not listed as piano player on the records because he was not in the musicians union at the time. He played at many different studios in Memphis.
In 1961, Smoochy recorded "Last Night" with The Mar-Keys. He was a co-writer of the song, which went to number two in the nation and was the first million-seller record for Stax Recording Company.