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Delbert McClinton

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Delbert McClinton
Born(1940-11-04)November 4, 1940(age 83)
Lubbock, Texas,U.S.
OriginFort Worth, Texas,U.S.
GenresAmericana,blues rock,[1]electric blues,[1]roots rock,country
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica
Years active1962–present
LabelsLeCam, Soft, Bobill, Brownfield,Smash,Clean,Paramount,ABC,Mercury,Capitol,MCA,Alligator,Curb,Intermedia,Polygram,Rising Tide,New West, Direct Source
Websitedelbert

Delbert McClinton(born November 4, 1940)[2]is an Americanblues rockandelectric bluessinger-songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and pianist.[1]

From his first professional stage appearance in 1957 to his most recent national tour in 2018, he has recorded albums for several majorrecord labelsand singles which have reached the U.S.BillboardHot 100,Mainstream Rock Tracks,andHot Country Songscharts.His highest-charting single was "Tell Me About It", a 1992 duet withTanya Tucker,which reached number 4 on the Country chart. Four of his albums have been number 1 on the Blues chart, and another reached number 2. His highest charting pop hit was 1980's "Giving It Up for Your Love", which peaked at number 8 on the Hot 100.

McClinton has earned fourGrammy Awards;1992 Rock Performance by a Duo withBonnie Raittfor "Good Man, Good Woman"; 2002 Contemporary Blues Album forNothing Personal;2006 Best Contemporary Blues Album forCost of Living,and 2020Best Traditional Blues AlbumforTall, Dark, & Handsome.He has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards as of 2020.[3]

He was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame[4]in March 2011, along withLee Roy Parnell,Bruce Channel,Gary Nicholson,andCindy Walker.In 2019, Delbert McClinton was honored by the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas with the fifth star in their Walk of Fame. (Others are actors Jaston Williams and Joe Sears, and musical artistsJerry Jeff WalkerandLyle Lovett).[5]

Career

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Early years

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McClinton was born inLubbock, Texasand moved with his family toFort Worth, Texaswhen he was 11 years old.[2]He worked in a bar band, the Straitjackets, who backedSonny Boy Williamson II,Howlin' Wolf,Lightnin' Hopkins,andJimmy Reed.McClinton recorded several regional singles before hitting the national chart in 1962, playing harmonica on Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby".[2]On a tour with Channel in the United Kingdom, McClinton instructedJohn Lennonon the finer points of blues harmonica playing.[6]

McClinton formed the Ron-Dels, sometimes called the Rondells, with Ronnie Kelly and Billy Wade Sanders.[7][8]The band had a chart single in 1965 with "If You Really Want Me To I'll Go".[9]

1970s

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Relocating toLos Angelesin 1972, McClinton partnered with fellow Texan Glen Clark to perform a combination ofcountryandsoul music.They released two albums before splitting and McClinton embarked on a solo career.[2]

Emmylou Harrishad a number 1 hit in 1978 with her recording of McClinton's composition "Two More Bottles of Wine",and acover versionof his "B Movie Boxcar Blues" was on the first album by theBlues Brothers,Briefcase Full of Blues.[2]

1980s and 1990s

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McClinton's 1980 album,The Jealous Kind,contained his onlyTop 40hit single, "Giving It Up for Your Love", which peaked at number 8 on theBillboardHot 100and number 35 Adult Contemporary.[10]He was inactive in the studio during much of the 1980s, though he toured heavily. McClinton closed the decade with theGrammy-nominated 1989 albumLive from Austin,recorded during an appearance on the television programAustin City Limitsand co-produced bysaxsidemanDon Wise,who went on to become a longtime fixture in the band.[2]

In 1991 McClinton won a Grammy Award for a duet withBonnie Raitt,"Good Man, Good Woman", and reached the Top 5 of the Country chart with "Tell Me About It", a duet withTanya Tucker.[2]He re-entered theBillboardchartsin 1992 with the albumNever Been Rocked Enough,which included the charting single "Every Time I Roll the Dice" and a cover ofJohn Hiatt's "Have a Little Faith in Me".

McClinton recorded the song "Weatherman", which was played with the opening titles of the 1993 filmGroundhog Day,starringBill Murray.The fledglinglabelRising Tide RecordsreleasedOne of the Fortunate Fewin 1997, before the label went out of business.[2]

2000–present

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McClinton released two studio albums in the early 2000s forNew West Records,which also issuedDelbert McClinton Livein 2003, acompilation albumof songs from his career. In 2006, he won aGrammy Awardfor his albumCost of Livingin the category Best Contemporary Blues Album.[2]

Etta Jamesincluded two McClinton songs on her 2003 album,Let's Roll.

McClinton was a judge for the fourth annual Independent Music Awards, presented to independent artists to support their careers.[11]He is featured in the documentary filmRocking the Boat: A Musical Conversation and Journey,by the filmmaker Jay Curlee.

McClinton performed on the Frankie Miller albumDouble Take,released in 2016; his voice is merged with Miller's in the song "Beginner at the Blues". His 2019 recording,Tall, Dark & Handsome,was chosen as a 'Favorite Blues Album' byAllMusic.[12]It was awarded the 2020Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album[13] Chart Positions[14] Label
US Blues US Country US US Indie
1972 Delbert & Glen Clean
1973 Subject to Change
1975 Victim of Life's Circumstances ABC
1976 Genuine Cowhide
1977 Love Rustler 49
1978 Second Wind Capricorn
1979 Keeper of the Flame 146
1980 The Jealous Kind 34 Capitol
1981 Plain from the Heart 181
1987 Honky Tonkin' MCA
1989 Honky Tonkin' Alligator
Live from Austin
1990 I'm with You Curb
1992 Never Been Rocked Enough 118
1993 Feelin' Alright Intermedia
Delbert McClinton Curb
1994 Shot from the Saddle Mercury
Honky Tonk 'n Blues MCA
1995 Let the Good Times Roll
1997 One of the Fortunate Few 2 15 116 Rising Tide
2001 Nothing Personal 1 20 103 3 New West
2002 Room to Breathe 1 12 84 3
2003 Live 44 31
2005 Cost of Living 1 14 105 16
2006 Live from Austin, TX
2007 Rockin' Blues Direct Source
2009 Acquired Taste 1 131 23 New West
2013 Blind, Crippled and Crazy 1 172 36
2017 Prick of the Litter 2 18 Hot Shot
2019 Tall, Dark & Handsome 1 15

Compilation albums

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Year Album Label
1978 Very Early Delbert McClinton Volume 1 LeCam
Very Early Delbert McClinton Volume 2 LeCam
1989 The Best of Delbert McClinton Curb
1994 Classics, Vol. 1: The Jealous Kind(reissue of 1980 album) Curb
Classics, Vol. 2: Plain from the Heart(reissue of 1981 album) Curb
1995 Great Songs: Come Together
1999 Crazy Cajun Recordings Edsel
The Ultimate Collection Hip-O
2000 Don't Let Go: The Collection Music Club
Genuine Rhythm & the Blues Hip-O
2003 The Best of Delbert McClinton,20th Century Masters, Millennium Collection MCA
2006 The Definitive Collection Hip-O

Singles

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Year Single Chart Positions Album
US
[15]
US AC
[16]
US Country
[17]
US MSR CAN CAN Country
1965 "If You Really Want Me To, I'll Go"(the Ron-Dels) 97 Very Early Delbert McClinton Volume 1
1972 "I Received a Letter"(Delbert & Glen) 90 Delbert & Glen
1980 "Giving It Up for Your Love" 8 35 10 The Jealous Kind
1981 "Shotgun Rider" 70
"Sandy Beaches" 101 Plain from the Heart
1990 "I'm with You" 78 I'm with You
1992 "Every Time I Roll the Dice" 13 40 Never Been Rocked Enough
1995 "Come Together" Come Together: America Salutes the Beatles
1997 "Sending Me Angels" 65 92 One of the Fortunate Few
2001 "When Rita Leaves" Nothing Personal
2002 "Same Kind of Crazy" Room to Breathe
"Lone Star Blues"
2005 "One of the Fortunate Few" Cost of Living
"I Had a Real Good Time"
2006 "Midnight Communion"
2009 "Mama's Little Baby" Acquired Taste
"Starting a Rumor"

Guest singles

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Year Single Artist Chart Positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1993 "Tell Me About It" Tanya Tucker 4 3 Can't Run from Yourself

Music videos

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Year Video
1990 "I'm with You"
1990 "Who's Foolin' Who"
1992 "Everytime I Roll The Dice"
1995 "Come Together"
1997 "Sending Me Angels"
2002 "Lone Star Blues"

Grammy awards and nominations

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Tall, Dark, & Handsome Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album Won [18]
2006 "Midnight Communion" Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance Nominated
Cost Of Living Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album Won
2003 Room To Breathe Nominated
2002 Nothing Personal Won
1993 "Tell Me About It" Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration Nominated
1992 "Good Man, Good Woman" Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal Won
1990 Live From Austin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Recording Nominated

References

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  1. ^abcDu Noyer, Paul (2003).The Illustrated Encyclopedia do of Music.Fulham, London: Flame Tree Publishing. p. 181.ISBN1-904041-96-5.
  2. ^abcdefghiHuey, Steve."Delbert McClinton: Biography".Allmusic.RetrievedSeptember 3,2011.
  3. ^"Search Results for Delbert Mcclinton".Grammy.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020.
  4. ^"Texas Heritage Songwriters Association".Texasheritagesongwriters. April 28, 2016.RetrievedDecember 6,2016.
  5. ^Blackstock, Peter."It's a Delbert McClinton Weekend: Venue, charity will honor Texas musician in early 2019".Austin360.RetrievedJanuary 27,2020.
  6. ^"Delbert's Biography".Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2010.Retrieved2010-07-05.
  7. ^"The house band at the Tracer was the Ron-Dels, a white-boy blues, rock, and country band led by a soulful singer named Delbert McClinton and his buddies Ronnie Kelly and Billy Wade Sanders." Patoski, Joe Nick (2008).Willie Nelson: An Epic Life.Little, Brown. pp. 85–86.ISBN0316017787.
  8. ^"McClinton's sides, of the same vintage, display his capable voice leading the Ron-Dels and the Straightjackets, two prominent Fort Worth white punk groups of the day."Texas Monthly,April 1979, p. 183.
  9. ^"Upon returning to the U.S., McClinton founded a group called the Rondells (sometimes listed as the Ron-Dels), which had a minor chart single in 1965 with 'If You Really Want Me to, I'll Go'".Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2003).All Music Guide to Country.p. 480.ISBN0879307609.
  10. ^Whitburn, Joel(1993).Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993.Record Research. p. 157.
  11. ^"Independent Music Awards – Past Judges".Archived fromthe originalon July 13, 2011.
  12. ^"Favorite Blues Albums | AllMusic 2019 in Review".AllMusic.RetrievedDecember 24,2019.
  13. ^"Delbert McClinton".Koti.mbnet.fi. August 27, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon January 13, 2016.RetrievedDecember 6,2016.
  14. ^"Delbert McClinton: Awards".AllMusic.November 4, 1940.RetrievedDecember 6,2016.
  15. ^Whitburn, Joel (2011).Top Pop Singles 1955–2010.Record Research. p. 584.ISBN978-0-89820-188-8.
  16. ^[1][dead link]
  17. ^"Delbert McClinton: Country Airplay".Billboard.RetrievedJanuary 29,2018.
  18. ^"Delbert McClinton | Artist | GRAMMY".grammy.RetrievedAugust 19,2023.
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