Historical clue formulations

• Croaked — 2025-05-29
• Spoke hoarsely, like a blacksmith? — 2021-09-07
• Wasn't a smooth talker? — 2021-05-05
• Did a Don Corleone impression, maybe — 2021-04-18
• Spoke like Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings" — 2018-07-04
• Copied a capo — 2010-10-29
• Spoke roughly — 2007-07-16
• Didn't talk smoothly — 2005-09-26
• Grated — 2004-08-12
• Spoke scratchily — 2003-11-10
• Irritated — 2001-09-22
• Sang like Satchmo — 2000-03-01
• Prepared horses' hooves for shoeing — 1996-03-10