|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMONTGOMERY, Melba(b 14 Oct. '38, Iron City TN) Singer whose country phrasing has kept her popular with fans in that genre for 25 years, although she has never hit the really big time. Grew up in Florence AL in musical family; sang in church and played guitar and fiddle; in a group with her brothers made finals of a talent contest '57. Family moved to Nashville '58 and she was featured girl vocalist with Roy Acuff '58--62. Went solo, signed with Nugget '62, UA '63; had first chart entries that year with 'Hall Of Shame' and 'The Greatest One Of All'. She had duet hits with George Jones '63--4, 'We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds' and 'Let's Invite Them Over' being superb examples of cheatin' songs; teamed with Gene Pitney for a while, recorded for Musicor '66--70, then Capitol, where she had duet hits with Charlie Louvin '70--71. Moved to Elektra '73 and with producer Pete Drake had no. 1 country hit 'No Charge', a semi-narrated tear-jerker which also went top 40 pop. Back on UA '77--9 she had top 20 hit 'Angel Of The Morning' '77; recorded for Kari '80--81; often did background vocals at Nashville sessions. LPs incl. Bluegrass Hootenanny '65 on UA with Jones, Melba Toast '68 on Musicor, Melba '73 and Don't Let The Good Times Fool You '75 on Elektra, Melba Montgomery '78 on UA; CD Do You Know Where Your Man Is on Playback with Louvin. |