George McCurn

George McCurn (born January 21, 1920 in Chicago – September 1985[1]) was a bass singer who started off singing gospel and switched to pop in the 1960s. He had a hit in 1963 with "I'm Just A Country Boy".

George McCurn
BornJanuary 21, 1920
DiedApril 1985 (aged 64–65)
Los Angeles
GenresSoul, gospel
Occupation(s)Singer
LabelsA&M
Associated actsKings of Harmony, Gospel Harps, The Fairfield Four, Pilgrim Travelers

Career

Group

In 1948, he joined the vocal quartet Kings of Harmony, replacing their bass singer Isaac "Dickie" Freeman. In the early days he was also a member for a brief period of West Coast-based group the Gospel Harps. In 1950, he joined Fairfield Four and replaced Isaac Freeman who had previously replaced in Kings of Harmony. In October 1950, he recorded with the group and this marks the period of his first time recording.[2] In 1954, he joined the Pilgrim Travellers, replacing their original bass singer, Rafael Taylor.[3] At one stage when he was in the Pilgrim Travellers, the other members at the time were Jesse Whittaker, Ernest Booker, Louis Rawls, and J.W. Alexander.[4]

Solo
1960s

In early 1963, he had his I'm Just a Country Boy single released on A&M Records. It was listed in the February 23 issue of Billboard as a regional breakout single which though at that time, not on the Billboard Hot 100, but selling strongly.[5] By April 6, the single had climbed from 64 in the Hot 100 to 56.[6]

His album Country Boy Goes to Town was a special merit pick in the June 1 edition of Billboard.[7] It was reported in the June 29 edition of Billboard, following Festival Records exec director Frederick C. Marks signing a 5-year deal with A&M, the album was going to be rush released in Australia.[8]

In March 1964, the single "Guess Who" which was written by JoAnn Belvin was released. It was backed with "One More Time For The Poor Man", which was written by Sonny Knight and Thora Johnson.[9][10] "Guess Who" also appeared on the Vault Records label with the cat no V.R. 002. The other side "At The Of A Rainbow" had the cat no V.R. 001., which indicates that it was probably the B side.[11][12]

In 1966, the single "Too Many Tears" bw ": You Say You Don't Want Me" was released on Reprise.[13]

1970s

In later years McCurn did some recording session work as a backing vocalist.[14] Along with Delia Gartnell, Gwenn Roberts, and Herman Hitson, he was one of the backing vocalist on the Truth album by King Hannibal, released in 1973.[15][16] He was also one of the backing vocalists on Ry Cooder's Paradise and Lunch album which was released on Reprise Records in 1974.[17]

In 1976, "Satchmo" bw "Old LA" was released on the Star-Brite label.[18]

Personal life

McCurn died in Los Angeles in 1985, aged 65.[19]

Discography
US Singles
Title Release info Year Notes
"Your Daughter's Hand" / "The Time Has Come" Liberty 55418 1962
"I'm Just A Country Boy" / "In My Little Corner Of The World" A&M 705 1963
"Please Send Me Someone To Love" / "How's The World Treating You" A&M 715 1963
"When The Wind Blows (In Chicago)" / "Georgia Town" A&M 726 1963
"Guess Who" / "I've Got To Move" A&M 731 1964
"Well" / "Clap Your Hands" A&M 741 1964
"Your Friend" / "While The Bloom Is On The Rose" A&M 748 1964
"As Tears Go By" / "Georgia Town" A&M 759 1965
"You Say You Don't Want Me" / "Too Many Tears" Reprise 0479 1966[20]
"Satchmo" / "Old LA" Star-Brite IRDA 2048 1976[21]
"Guess Who" / "At The End (Of A Rainbow)" Vault Records V.R. 001 19?[22]
EP
Title Side A Side B Release info Year Notes
I'm Just A Country Boy 1. "I'm Just A Country Boy"
2. "In My Little Corner Of The World"		 1. "The End"
2. "Goodnight, My Love, Pleasant Dreams"		 Festival FK-331 1963 Australian release[23]
Album
Title Release info Year Notes
Country Boy Goes to Town A&M LP 102 1963[24]

References
  1. All Music George McCurn, Biography by Uncle Dave Lewis
  2. Billboard Artists, George McCurn, Biography
  3. Cross Rhythms Friday 23rd December 2011 Tony Cummings chronicles the history of one of the great gospel quartets THE PILGRIM TRAVELERS
  4. Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm And Blues And The Southern Dream Of Freedom - Peter Guralnick Prologue to Soul: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Business of Music
  5. Billboard February 23, 1963 Pag 1 Billboard Page 1 Singles *Regional Breakouts
  6. Billboard April 6, 1963 Page 28 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending April 6
  7. Billboard June 1, 1963 Page 30 Album Reviews Continued, Special Merit Picks
  8. Billboard June 29, 1963 Page 48 International NEWS REPORTS, AUSTRALIA, Festival Distrib For A&M Label, By GEORGE HILDER
  9. 45cat Catalogue: 731
  10. Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who
  11. Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)
  12. Popsike COUNTRY 45: GEORGE McCURN At The End ( Of A Rainbow) VAULT RECORDS RARE ?
  13. 45cat George McCurn - Discography
  14. Wilde Life Wilde World: George McCurn
  15. Discogs King Hannibal – Truth
  16. Discogs King Hannibal, Profile
  17. Discogs Ry Cooder – Paradise And Lunch
  18. 45cat George McCurn - Discography
  19. Wilde Life Wilde World: George McCurn
  20. Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records 6th Edition by Tim Neely Page 453 McCurn, George
  21. 45Cat George McCurn - Discography
  22. Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)
  23. 45cat Catalogue: FX-10,703
  24. Billboard June 1, 1963 Page 30 Album Reviews Continued, Special Merit Picks
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