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Mel McDaniel Dead at 68

Mel McDaniel

Grand Ole Opry star Mel McDaniel has died after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. The singer, whose biggest hits included 'Stand Up,' 'Louisiana Saturday Night' and the 1984 No. 1, 'Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On,' was born in Checotah, Okla., also the birthplace of Carrie Underwood.

The son of a truck driving father, Mel grew up in Okmulgee, Okla., and was inspired to pursue music after seeing Elvis Presley perform. He taught himself a few guitar chords at 14 and soon began playing in local nightclubs. He moved to Nashville for a short time in 1969, just prior to relocating to Alaska in 1971, where he played clubs in Anchorage. He eventually returned to Nashville, singing on demos and penning tunes recorded by other artists, including Conway Twitty and Kenny Rogers.

Mel signed to Capitol Records in 1976, but had to wait five years until scoring his first sizable hit, the Top 10, 'Louisiana Saturday Night,' written by Bob McDill. Several hits followed and in 1986, at age 44, Mel was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1996, he survived a near-fatal fall into an unmarked orchestra pit, which ended his touring career although he continued to record and perform. In 2006, Mel released an album titled 'Reloaded.' In June 2009, he suffered a heart attack and was in a medically-induced coma.

On February 19, 2011, Mel entered the hospital with stage 3b terminal lung cancer, just one day after completing recording of his final album, aptly titled 'The Last Ride.'

Memorial service details are currently pending and are expected to be announced soon.

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TONY

I too grew up in the 80's listening to Mel and all the others of the day. My Dad drove a truck and we really got into Country Music, even though we lived in NYC ! I now live 3 hrs south of Nashville in Alabama and drive a truck too and always like hearing old Country Classics as i work. God Bless you Mel and thank you for your songs !

May 18 2011 at 11:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
susanna

Terrible losing him. I am ashamed he had a beautiful song that had to do with a river and rolling on and I can't remember the name and if any one remembers tell me. He was appearing here locally and I requested he sing it, before the show started. I felt really bad I was sorry I asked him because he said he couldn't sing it was a hurtful memory and he got tears in his eyes and said he would sing anything else. His response and the words made me tink it had to do with his wife. Thank you Jesus for sharing him with us and now he can return to you where their is no more pain sadness only joy and peace.We can be sad for ourselves missing him but at the same time happy for him to be at peace. Thank you jesus.

April 07 2011 at 1:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
maghonnnxx

Mel McDaniel is one of my favorite classic country music singers, and I really enjoy "Louisiana Saturday Night," "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On," and "Stand Up" as of right now. May he rest in peace, and he is now in Honky Tonk Heaven!

April 05 2011 at 9:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jean Mitchell

Real sorry to hear of one of the greats passing. Seems so many of the good ones are gone now. Country has been my favorite since I was a girl growing up and baby's got her blue jeans on was all one of my favorites. Stand up was too. Thought is was a great song to tell people how you believed. my sympathies to his family and anyone who knew him.

April 04 2011 at 1:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sapphire9152Xxxx

Mel you may be gone but your music will live on and you will never be forgotten.

April 03 2011 at 9:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tina

i am sorry to here about mel mC daniel passing he will be miss in the musis and by family& friends & fans .
god bless you
and your family
tina ruhr


April 02 2011 at 5:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gregory

What a voice Mel had. He and his music will be missed!

April 01 2011 at 8:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bradelvis

Mel co-wrote, along with Dennis Linde, one of my personal favorites, "Goodbye Marie", which Mel himself recorded as well as Bobby Goldsboro and Kenny Rogers. God bless you, Mel. Your talents will be greatly missed.

April 01 2011 at 7:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda Rich

Met Mel during my rein as >>>>>TN, he was a wonderful person. what a great loss. Prayers go out to his family and friends. Thanks Mel for giving us all your music

April 01 2011 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
countrysoul1975

I loved "Louisiana Saturday Night", "Stand Up", and "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On". His music was what you call "Classic Country". I really miss those days when country music stars produced instant classics. He was one of a kind and a true artist, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to see him at the Opry once. God be with his family. Love and prayers sent their way.

April 01 2011 at 7:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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