George McCurn (born January 21, 1920 – April 1985)All Music George McCurn, Biography by Uncle Dave Lewis was an American 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".
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.Billboard Artists, George McCurn, Biography In 1954, he joined the Pilgrim Travellers, replacing their original bass singer, Rafael Taylor.Cross Rhythms Friday 23rd December 2011 Tony Cummings chronicles the history of one of the great gospel quartets THE PILGRIM TRAVELERS 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.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
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.Billboard February 23, 1963 Pag 1 Billboard Page 1 Singles *Regional Breakouts By April 6, the single had climbed from 64 in the Hot 100 to 56.Billboard April 6, 1963 Page 28 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending April 6
His album Country Boy Goes to Town was a special merit pick in the June 1 edition of Billboard.Billboard June 1, 1963 Page 30 Album Reviews Continued, Special Merit Picks 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.Billboard June 29, 1963 Page 48 International NEWS REPORTS, AUSTRALIA, Festival Distrib For A&M Label, By GEORGE HILDER
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.45cat Catalogue: 731Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who "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.Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)Popsike COUNTRY 45: GEORGE McCURN At The End ( Of A Rainbow) VAULT RECORDS RARE ?
In 1966, the single "Too Many Tears" bw ": You Say You Don't Want Me" was released on Reprise.45cat George McCurn - Discography
1970s
In later years McCurn did some recording session work as a backing vocalist.Wilde Life Wilde World: George McCurn 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.Discogs King Hannibal – TruthDiscogs King Hannibal, Profile He was also one of the backing vocalists on Ry Cooder's Paradise and Lunch album which was released on Reprise Records in 1974.Discogs Ry Cooder – Paradise And Lunch
In 1976, "Satchmo" bw "Old LA" was released on the Star-Brite label.
Personal life McCurn died in Los Angeles in 1985, aged 65.
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 1966Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records 6th Edition by Tim Neely Page 453 McCurn, George "Satchmo" / "Old LA" Star-Brite IRDA 2048 197645Cat George McCurn - Discography "Guess Who" / "At The End (Of A Rainbow)" Vault Records V.R. 001 19?Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)
+ 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 release45cat Catalogue: FX-10,703
+ Album Title Release info Year Notes Country Boy Goes to Town A&M LP 102 1963
References
External links 45cat: George McCurn - Discography Wilde World: George McCurn