Luke McDaniel
Birth nameLuke Jefferson McDaniel[1]
Born(1927-02-03)February 3, 1927
Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedJune 27, 1992(1992-06-27) (aged 65)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1950–1970s
LabelsTrumpet, Meladee, Big Howdy, Astro, Big B, King

Luke McDaniel (February 3, 1927 – June 27, 1992), who also recorded under the stage name Jeff Daniels, was an American country and rockabilly music singer and songwriter. He was the grandfather of Mississippi state senator Chris McDaniel.

Biography

McDaniel was born in Laurel, Mississippi and raised on a farm. He learned to play mandolin in high school, playing in local churches and public events. In 1945, he formed his own band, which opened for Hank Williams at a show in New Orleans in 1950.[1] In 1952, he auditioned for Trumpet Records, but was initially turned down for a recording session.[1] After Trumpet label head Lillian McMurry asked him to return with better songwriting material, he wrote "This Crying Heart", modeled after Williams's hit "Your Cheatin' Heart", which convinced McMurry to sign him for a recording contract.[1] He recorded three songs with Jimmy Swan's backing band, including the single "Whoa Boy", which Trumpet issued later in 1952; the song became a regional hit in New Orleans.[1] Following Williams's death, McDaniel wrote a song titled "A Tribute to Hank Williams, My Buddy"; Trumpet released the single with low fidelity mastering, and it did not sell well.[1]

He then moved to Mobile, Alabama and played with Jack Cardwell, a star on local radio and television station WKAB. He became a regular on the "Tom 'N Jack" show, and in 1953 Cardwell's label, King Records, signed him.[1] He recorded several singles for King, the most successful of which was "Drive In".[1] On the strength of his releases on Trumpet and King, he was invited to play on the radio program Louisiana Hayride.[1] He moved to New Orleans in 1954, where he also recorded for Mel-A-Dee Records.

In 1956, he was persuaded by friends Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins to send a demo recording to Sam Phillips, who signed him to his label Sun Records. McDaniel recorded two sessions with Sun, but left the label over a contract dispute. None of the Sun sides were released until Charly Records compiled them decades later.

Following this, he signed with Big Howdy Records and released records under the name Jeff Daniel, but was unable to score a hit record under this name, either. He continued recording into the 1970s.

Legacy

Buddy Holly performed his song "Midnight Shift" (written under the pseudonym Earl Lee), and The Byrds covered his "You're Still on My Mind" on their album Sweetheart of the Rodeo. George Jones and Jim Reeves also covered McDaniel's songs.

Discography

Singles

as Luke McDaniel or Luke McDaniels

Year Title Record label
1952Whoa, Boy! / No MoreTrumpet Records
1953A Tribute To Hank Williams, My Buddy / This Cryin’ HeartTrumpet Records
1953Drive On / Let Me Be A SouvenirKing Records
1953I Can't Go / For Old Times SakeKing Records
1954The Automobile Song / I Can't Steal Another's BridgeKing Records
1954Honey Won't You Please Come Home / Crying My Heart Out For YouKing Records
1954Money Bag Woman / Hurts Me SoKing Records
1955One More Heart / Living in a House Of SinKing Records

as Jeff Daniels

Year Title Record label
1956Daddy-O Rock / Hey Woman!Meladee Records
1959Switch Blade Sam / You’re Still on My MindBig Howdy Records
1959Uh-Huh-Huh / Table For TwoBig B Records
1960Foxy Dan / Some Day You’ll RememberAstro Records
197?Uh-Huh-Huh / Table For TwoBig Howdy Records
197?Foxy Dan / Bye Bye BabyBig Howdy Records
197?Hard Luck / Johnny'sBig Howdy Records
197?I Tried / I’m Tired Of These Country WaysBig Howdy Records
197?Switch Blade Sam / You’re Still on My MindBig Howdy Records
  • Go Ahead Baby
  • Huh Babe
Sun Records (not issued)
  • High High High
  • My Baby Don't Rock
  • That's What I Tell My Heart
Sun Records (not issued)

Compilation album

  • 1996 – Daddy-O-Rock – The Rock And Country Sides Of: Luke McDaniel, Hydra Records

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Marc W. Ryan, Trumpet Records: Diamonds on Farish Street. Jackson, MS: University of Mississippi Press, 2004.
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