Melba Montgomery
b. 14 October 1938, Iron City, Tennessee, USA. Born into a musical family, Montgomery's father ran a church choir and both her brothers, Carl and Earl, became country songwriters, often supplying her with material. In 1958 she and her brothers were finalists in a nationwide talent contest sponsored by Pet Milk—another finalist was Johnny Tillotson. Her success led to an appearance on the GRAND OLE OPRY where she impressed Roy Acuff. He added her to his roadshow and she spent four years covering the USA and its military bases abroad. In 1962 she recorded two singles, Happy You, Lonely Me and Just Another Fool Along The Way, for Lonzo and Oscar's Nugget label. She recorded prolifically for United Artists and Musicor, although she made the US country charts with Hall Of Shame and The Greatest One Of All, Melba is better known for her duets with George Jones (We Must Have Been Out Of Her Minds, which she wrote) and Gene Pitney (Baby, Ain't That Fine). Substantial successes eluded her at Capitol, although she recorded duets with Charlie Louvin, notably Something To Brag About. She gave Elektra a number 1 country single with No Charge, written by Harlan Howard, although it was covered for the UK market by J.J. Barrie. She has spent the past decade raising her family.