O. B. McClinton explained

O. B. McClinton
Background:solo_singer
Birth Name:Obie Burnett McClinton
Birth Date:April 25, 1940
Origin:Senatobia, Mississippi
Instrument:Vocals, guitar
Genre:Country
Occupation:Singer-songwriter
Years Active:1972–1987
Label:Enterprise
Mercury
Epic
Sunbird
Moon Shine
Brylen

Obie Burnett "O. B." McClinton (April 25, 1940  - September 23, 1987) was an American black country music singer and songwriter.[1] The second-youngest child born to Rev. G. A. McClinton, a clergyman and farmer who owned a 700acres ranch near Memphis, Tennessee. Listening to Hank Williams as a child around the age of nine or 10 sparked his interest in performing country music.

Before beginning his country music career, he tried to break into R&B.[1] Although he was unable to secure a recording contract as a soul singer himself, he did pen several songs recorded by James Carr,[2] including the title songs to Carr's albums You Got My Mind Messed Up and A Man Needs a Woman.[1]

Known to refer to himself as the "Chocolate Cowboy", McClinton successfully marketed his album called The Only One on television long before the practice was commonplace. Featuring his first country chart single "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You", a top 40 song in 1972, he considered it to be his finest work.[1]

He died on September 23, 1987, after a year-long battle with abdominal cancer.[1]

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumUS CountryLabel
1971O.B. McClinton CountryEnterprise
1973Obie From SenatobieEnterprise
1973Live at Randy's RodeoEnterprise
1974If You Loved Her That WayEnterprise
1981The Chocolate CowboyLakeshore Music
1986O.B. McClintonHometown
1987The Only One55Epic
1988Just For YouCBS/Hometown

Singles

YearSingleChart PositionsAlbumLabel
US CountryCAN CountryUS Cashbox Country SinglesUS Record World Country Singles
1964"Tradin' Stamps"†singles onlyBeale Street
1965"The Day The World Cried"†Goldwax
"She's Better Than You"±
1966"Trying To Make It"†
1971"Country Music, That's My Thing"O.B. McClinton CountryEnterprise
"Bad Guys Don't Always Wear Black Hats"
1972"Deep In The Heart Of Me"
"Six Pack of Trouble"7057Obie From Senatobie
"Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You"37723138
1973"My Whole World Is Falling Down"363935
"I Wish It Would Rain"675957
"You Don't Miss Your Water"single only
"The Unluckiest Songwriter In Nashville"85Obie From Senatobie
1974"Something Better"627165If You Loved Her That Way
"If You Loved Her That Way"8687
"Blind, Crippled and Crazy"singles only
"Yours and Mine"778472
1975"The Most Wanted Woman (Is An Unloved Wife)"
"Just In Case"Mercury
1976"It's So Good Lovin' You"10071
"Black Speck"103
"Let's Just Celebrate The Temporary"
1977"Country Roots"ABC/Dot
"Talk To My Children's Mama"
1978"Hello, This Is Anna" (w/ Peggy Jo Adams)908489Epic
"Natural Love"827376
1979"The Real Thing"796672
"Soap"584653
1980"Not Exactly Free"‡627775The Chocolate CowboySunbird
1984"Honky Tonk Tan"69Just For YouMoonshine
"Last Rights"singles only
1986"Everybody's Talking About Ol' Herb ("The Whopper Song")"Track
1987"Turn the Music On"61The Only OneEpic
"Still A Wanted Man"
† "Oboe"
± "Oboe with The Keys"
‡ "O.B. McClinton (The Chocolate Cowboy)"

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: O.B. McClinton | Biography & History. AllMusic. July 8, 2021.
  2. Book: The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1993. First. 0-85112-733-9. 172.