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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 ZMcCLINTON, O. B.(b Obie Burnett McClinton, 25 April 1940, Senatobia MS; d 23 September 1987, Nashville) Singer, songwriter, guitarist with hits in country chart '70s. Wrote a song early '70s called 'The Other One' (Charley Pride being a much better-known black country singer); he also called himself 'The Chocolate Cowboy'. Father was a clergyman and a farmer (owned his own spread, unusual in Mississippi then). Influenced by Hank Williams as a child; disliked farm work, ran away from home, got as far as Memphis and spent all his money on a guitar. He won a scholarship to college to sing in a choir; worked as a disc jockey in Memphis where he met Al Bell; began writing songs while in US Air Force; wrote R&B for Fame Publishing in Muscle Shoals (songs recorded by Clarence Carter, Otis Redding, others); signed by Bell (then a Stax executive) to new Enterprise subsidiary as country singer: first country chart single was 'Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You'. Dissatisfied with his debut LP O.B. McClinton Country '72, he produced his own Live At Randy's Rodeo '73, also produced other artists. Hits included 'Six Pack Of Trouble' '72, 'Yours And Mine' '75; switched to Epic for 'Hello, This Is Anna' and 'Natural Love' '78; on Sunbird early '80s with 'Not Exactly Free'. He died of cancer. |