Mel McDaniel
Encyclopedia
Mel McDaniel was an American country music
artist. His chart making years were mainly the 1980s and his hits from that era include "Louisiana Saturday Night
", "Big Ole Brew
", "Stand Up
", the Number One "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
", "I Call It Love
", "Stand on It
", and a remake of Chuck Berry
's "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)".
McDaniel's type of country music has been referred to as "the quintessential happy song" in comparison to other country artists who discuss broken hearts and lost loves. When asked why most of his songs are mostly positive, McDaniel told the Anchorage Daily News
that "there's enough things in the world to keep you bummed out" and that his fans don't want to "hear me singing something that's gonna bum 'em out some more."
, a small town in McIntosh County, Oklahoma
. The son of a truck driving father, McDaniel grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma
. He was inspired to play music after seeing Elvis Presley
on television. His first interest in music was when he learned the trumpet in the fourth grade, but he soon learned the guitar. At age 14, he taught himself the guitar chords to "Frankie and Johnny" and performed at a high-school talent contest. He made his professional debut at age fifteen performing in a talent contest at Okmulgee High School. While in high school, he played in several local bands, and after graduation, began working as a musician in Tulsa clubs. While in Tulsa, he recorded several singles for local label (J.J. Cale
and wrote and produced his first single, “Lazy Me”. But he decided to leave Oklahoma.
performing in the Oil Fields. After two years there, he returned to Nashville and landed a job as a demo singer and songwriter with Combine Music. With the help of music publisher Bob Beckham
, Mel signed to Capitol Records
in 1976 and released his first single, “Have a Dream on Me”.
His career finally took off with “Louisiana Saturday Night
” in 1981, and in early 1985 he scored his only #1 hit with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
". Other Top 10 hits include "Right in the Palm of Your Hand
" (later covered by Alan Jackson
in 1999), "Take Me to the Country
", "Big Ole Brew
", "I Call It Love
", and "Real Good Feel Good Song
".
McDaniel was a member of the Grand Ole Opry
since January 11, 1986 and made frequent appearances on the show.
McDaniel was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
in 2006, along with induction classmate Leon Russell
.
. This ended his touring career and he underwent several surgeries thereafter. McDaniel never recovered from his injuries. On June 16, 2009, McDaniel suffered a heart attack, putting him in a medically induced coma in a Nashville area hospital according to The Tennessean. Mel's wife, Peggy, requested the prayers of the singer's fans, saying his situation was "not good." McDaniel was diagonsed with lung cancer on February 19, 2011, and he died at home on the evening of March 31, 2011 as a result of the disease.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist. His chart making years were mainly the 1980s and his hits from that era include "Louisiana Saturday Night
Louisiana Saturday Night
"Louisiana Saturday Night" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in March 1981 as the third single from McDaniel's 1980 album, I'm Countryfied. The song, originally sung by Don Williams, has been covered by many...
", "Big Ole Brew
Big Ole Brew
"Big Ole Brew" is the title of a song written by Russell Smith and most famously recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. McDaniel's version was released in June 1982 as the third single from his 1982 album, Take Me to the Country. It peaked at both number 4 on the U.S. Billboard...
", "Stand Up
Stand Up (Mel McDaniel song)
"Stand Up" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in September 1985 as the lead single from McDaniel's album of the same name, Stand Up. It peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and at number 3 on the...
", the Number One "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist Mel McDaniel. It was released in October 1984 as the lead-off single to his 1984 album Let It Roll. It was a number-one hit on the U.S...
", "I Call It Love
I Call It Love (Mel McDaniel song)
"I Call It Love" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in December 1983 as the lead single from McDaniel's album , Mel McDaniel with Oklahoma Wind. It peaked at number 9 on the U.S...
", "Stand on It
Stand on It
"Stand on It" is the title of a song written by Bruce Springsteen and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in September 1986 as the lead single from McDaniel's album, Just Can't Sit Down Music. It peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles &...
", and a remake of Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
's "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)".
McDaniel's type of country music has been referred to as "the quintessential happy song" in comparison to other country artists who discuss broken hearts and lost loves. When asked why most of his songs are mostly positive, McDaniel told the Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage Daily News
The Anchorage Daily News is a daily newspaper based in Anchorage, Alaska, in the United States. It is often referred to colloquially as either "the Daily News" or "the ADN"...
that "there's enough things in the world to keep you bummed out" and that his fans don't want to "hear me singing something that's gonna bum 'em out some more."
Early life
Mel McDaniel was born in Checotah, OklahomaChecotah, Oklahoma
Checotah is a city in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, United States. It was named for Samuel Checote, the first chief of the Creek Nation elected after the Civil War. The population was 3,481 at the 2000 census....
, a small town in McIntosh County, Oklahoma
McIntosh County, Oklahoma
McIntosh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2000, the population was 19,456. Its county seat is Eufaula.-Geography:...
. The son of a truck driving father, McDaniel grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Okmulgee is a city in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population at the 2010 census was 12,321 a loss of 5.4 percent since the 2000 census figure of 13,022. It has been the capital of the Muscogee Nation since the United States Civil War. Okmulgee means "boiling waters" in the Creek...
. He was inspired to play music after seeing Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
on television. His first interest in music was when he learned the trumpet in the fourth grade, but he soon learned the guitar. At age 14, he taught himself the guitar chords to "Frankie and Johnny" and performed at a high-school talent contest. He made his professional debut at age fifteen performing in a talent contest at Okmulgee High School. While in high school, he played in several local bands, and after graduation, began working as a musician in Tulsa clubs. While in Tulsa, he recorded several singles for local label (J.J. Cale
J.J. Cale
JJ Cale , born John Weldon Cale on December 5, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and musician. Cale is one of the originators of the Tulsa Sound, a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country, and jazz influences. Cale's personal style has...
and wrote and produced his first single, “Lazy Me”. But he decided to leave Oklahoma.
Career
After marrying his high school sweetheart, McDaniel began performing in Tulsa. From there, he had an unsuccessful trip to Nashville, followed by quite a bit of success in Anchorage, AlaskaAnchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
performing in the Oil Fields. After two years there, he returned to Nashville and landed a job as a demo singer and songwriter with Combine Music. With the help of music publisher Bob Beckham
Bob Beckham
Bob Beckham was an American country singer from Stratford, Oklahoma. Beckham scored two hit singles in the U.S., both released on Decca Records...
, Mel signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in 1976 and released his first single, “Have a Dream on Me”.
His career finally took off with “Louisiana Saturday Night
Louisiana Saturday Night
"Louisiana Saturday Night" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in March 1981 as the third single from McDaniel's 1980 album, I'm Countryfied. The song, originally sung by Don Williams, has been covered by many...
” in 1981, and in early 1985 he scored his only #1 hit with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist Mel McDaniel. It was released in October 1984 as the lead-off single to his 1984 album Let It Roll. It was a number-one hit on the U.S...
". Other Top 10 hits include "Right in the Palm of Your Hand
Right in the Palm of Your Hand
"Right in the Palm of Your Hand" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in July 1981 as the fourth and final single from McDaniel's 1980 album, I'm Countryfied. It peaked at number 10 on the U.S...
" (later covered by Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson
Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
in 1999), "Take Me to the Country
Take Me to the Country (song)
"Take Me to the Country" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in March 1982 as the second single from McDaniel's 1982 album of the same name, Take Me to the Country. It peaked at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks...
", "Big Ole Brew
Big Ole Brew
"Big Ole Brew" is the title of a song written by Russell Smith and most famously recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. McDaniel's version was released in June 1982 as the third single from his 1982 album, Take Me to the Country. It peaked at both number 4 on the U.S. Billboard...
", "I Call It Love
I Call It Love (Mel McDaniel song)
"I Call It Love" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in December 1983 as the lead single from McDaniel's album , Mel McDaniel with Oklahoma Wind. It peaked at number 9 on the U.S...
", and "Real Good Feel Good Song
Real Good Feel Good Song
"Real Good Feel Good Song" is the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Larry Alderman, and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in April 1988 as the third single from McDaniel's album , Now You're Talkin. It peaked at number 9 on the U.S...
".
McDaniel was a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
since January 11, 1986 and made frequent appearances on the show.
McDaniel was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, honors Oklahoma musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The induction ceremony and concert is held each year in Muskogee...
in 2006, along with induction classmate Leon Russell
Leon Russell
Claude Russell Bridges , known professionally as Leon Russell, is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music....
.
Later years and death
On November 14, 1996, he had a near-fatal fall into an orchestra pit while he was performing at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette, LouisianaLafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
. This ended his touring career and he underwent several surgeries thereafter. McDaniel never recovered from his injuries. On June 16, 2009, McDaniel suffered a heart attack, putting him in a medically induced coma in a Nashville area hospital according to The Tennessean. Mel's wife, Peggy, requested the prayers of the singer's fans, saying his situation was "not good." McDaniel was diagonsed with lung cancer on February 19, 2011, and he died at home on the evening of March 31, 2011 as a result of the disease.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||||||||
| 1977 | Gentle to Your Senses
|
45 | |||||||
| 1978 | Mello
|
— | |||||||
| 1980 | I'm Countryfied I'm Countryfied I'm Countryfied is the name of a 1980 country album by Mel McDaniel. The album peaked at number 24 on the Top Country Albums charts. The biggest hit on the album, and also one of McDaniel's biggest hits, was "Louisiana Saturday Night," which reached number 7 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts... |
24 | |||||||
| 1982 | Take Me to the Country
|
43 | |||||||
| 1983 | Naturally Country
|
63 | |||||||
| 1984 | Mel McDaniel with Oklahoma Wind
|
64 | |||||||
| 1985 | Let It Roll
|
4 | |||||||
| Stand Up
|
25 | ||||||||
| 1986 | Just Can't Sit Down Music
|
— | |||||||
| 1988 | Now You're Talkin'
|
51 | |||||||
| 1989 | Rock-a-billy Boy
|
— | |||||||
| 1991 | Country Pride
|
— | |||||||
| 2006 | Reloaded
|
— | |||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||||||||
| 1987 | Greatest Hits
|
43 | |||||||
| 1993 | Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On
|
— | |||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1975 | "Lazy Me" | — | — | Singles only |
| 1976 | "Have a Dream on Me" | 51 | — | |
| "I Thank God She Isn't Mine" | 70 | — | ||
| 1977 | "All the Sweet" | 39 | — | |
| "Gentle to Your Senses" | 18 | — | Gentle to Your Senses | |
| "Soul of a Honky Tonk Woman" | 27 | — | ||
| "God Made Love God Made Love "God Made Love" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in December 1977 as the third and final single from McDaniel's album , Gentle to Your Senses. It peaked at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks... " |
11 | 12 | ||
| 1978 | "The Farm" | 80 | — | Mello |
| "Bordertown Woman" | 26 | 56 | ||
| 1979 | "Love Lies" | 33 | 38 | Singles only |
| "Play Her Back to Yesterday" | 24 | 23 | ||
| "Lovin' Starts Where Friendship Ends" | 27 | 39 | ||
| 1980 | "Hello Daddy, Good Morning Darling" | 39 | — | I'm Countryfied |
| "Countryfied" | 23 | — | ||
| 1981 | "Louisiana Saturday Night Louisiana Saturday Night "Louisiana Saturday Night" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in March 1981 as the third single from McDaniel's 1980 album, I'm Countryfied. The song, originally sung by Don Williams, has been covered by many... " |
7 | 21 | |
| "Right in the Palm of Your Hand Right in the Palm of Your Hand "Right in the Palm of Your Hand" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in July 1981 as the fourth and final single from McDaniel's 1980 album, I'm Countryfied. It peaked at number 10 on the U.S... " |
10 | 17 | ||
| "Preaching Up a Storm" | 19 | 37 | Take Me to the Country | |
| 1982 | "Take Me to the Country Take Me to the Country (song) "Take Me to the Country" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in March 1982 as the second single from McDaniel's 1982 album of the same name, Take Me to the Country. It peaked at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks... " |
10 | 22 | |
| "Big Ole Brew Big Ole Brew "Big Ole Brew" is the title of a song written by Russell Smith and most famously recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. McDaniel's version was released in June 1982 as the third single from his 1982 album, Take Me to the Country. It peaked at both number 4 on the U.S. Billboard... " |
4 | 4 | ||
| "I Wish I Was in Nashville" | 20 | — | ||
| 1983 | "Old Man River (I've Come to Talk Again)" | 22 | 31 | Naturally Country |
| "Hot Time in Old Town Tonight" | 39 | — | ||
| "I Call It Love I Call It Love (Mel McDaniel song) "I Call It Love" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in December 1983 as the lead single from McDaniel's album , Mel McDaniel with Oklahoma Wind. It peaked at number 9 on the U.S... " |
9 | 29 | Mel McDaniel with Oklahoma Wind | |
| 1984 | "Where'd That Woman Go" | 49 | — | |
| "Most of All I Remember You" | 59 | — | ||
| "All Around the Water Tank" | 64 | — | ||
| "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On" is the title of a song written by Bob McDill and recorded by American country music artist Mel McDaniel. It was released in October 1984 as the lead-off single to his 1984 album Let It Roll. It was a number-one hit on the U.S... " |
1 | 1 | Let It Roll | |
| 1985 | "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)" | 6 | 6 | |
| "Stand Up Stand Up (Mel McDaniel song) "Stand Up" is the title of a song recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in September 1985 as the lead single from McDaniel's album of the same name, Stand Up. It peaked at number 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and at number 3 on the... " |
5 | 3 | Stand Up | |
| 1986 | "Shoe String" | 22 | 18 | |
| "Doctor's Orders" | 53 | 47 | ||
| "Stand on It Stand on It "Stand on It" is the title of a song written by Bruce Springsteen and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in September 1986 as the lead single from McDaniel's album, Just Can't Sit Down Music. It peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles &... " |
12 | 5 | Just Can't Sit Down Music | |
| 1987 | "Oh What a Night" | 56 | — | |
| "Anger & Tears" | 49 | 32 | Greatest Hits | |
| "Love Is Everywhere" | 60 | 57 | ||
| "Now You're Talkin'" | 64 | 42 | Now You're Talkin | |
| 1988 | "Ride This Train" | 58 | — | |
| "Real Good Feel Good Song Real Good Feel Good Song "Real Good Feel Good Song" is the title of a song written by Richard Fagan and Larry Alderman, and recorded by American country music artist, Mel McDaniel. It was released in April 1988 as the third single from McDaniel's album , Now You're Talkin. It peaked at number 9 on the U.S... " |
9 | 4 | ||
| "Henrietta" | 62 | * | ||
| 1989 | "Walk That Way" | 54 | * | Rock-a-Billy Boy |
| "Blue Suede Shoes" | 70 | 68 | ||
| "You Can't Play the Blues (In an Air-Conditioned Room)" |
80 | 57 | ||
| 2006 | "Horseshoes & Hand Grenades" | — | — | Reloaded |
Music videos
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)" | George Bloom |
| "Stand Up" | ||
| 1988 | "Real Good Feel Good Song" | Kenneth Brown |
| "Henrietta" | George Bloom | |
| "Goodbye Johnny" | ||
| 1990 | "Turtles and Rabbits" | |
| 1991 | "My Ex-Life" | Carolyn Betts |