Luke Jefferson McDaniel

Luke McDaniel (February 3, 1927 – June 27, 1992), who also recorded under the stage name Jeff Daniels, was an American country and rockabilly music singer and songwriter. He was the grandfather of Mississippi state senator Chris McDaniel.

Biography McDaniel was born in Laurel, Mississippi and raised on a farm. He learned to play mandolin in high school, playing in local churches and public events. In 1945, he formed his own band, which opened for Hank Williams at a show in New Orleans in 1950. In 1952, he auditioned for Trumpet Records, but was initially turned down for a recording session. After Trumpet label head Lillian McMurry asked him to return with better songwriting material, he wrote "This Crying Heart", modeled after Williams's hit "Your Cheatin' Heart", which convinced McMurry to sign him for a recording contract. He recorded three songs with Jimmy Swan's backing band, including the single "Whoa Boy", which Trumpet issued later in 1952; the song became a regional hit in New Orleans. Following Williams's death, McDaniel wrote a song titled "A Tribute to Hank Williams, My Buddy"; Trumpet released the single with low fidelity mastering, and it did not sell well.

He then moved to Mobile, Alabama and played with Jack Cardwell, a star on local radio and television station WKAB. He became a regular on the "Tom 'N Jack" show, and in 1953 Cardwell's label, King Records, signed him. He recorded several singles for King, the most successful of which was "Drive In". On the strength of his releases on Trumpet and King, he was invited to play on the radio program Louisiana Hayride. He moved to New Orleans in 1954, where he also recorded for Mel-A-Dee Records.

In 1956, he was persuaded by friends Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins to send a demo recording to Sam Phillips, who signed him to his label Sun Records. McDaniel recorded two sessions with Sun, but left the label over a contract dispute. None of the Sun sides were released until Charly Records compiled them decades later.

Following this, he signed with Big Howdy Records and released records under the name Jeff Daniel, but was unable to score a hit record under this name, either. He continued recording into the 1970s.

Legacy Buddy Holly performed his song "Midnight Shift" (written under the pseudonym Earl Lee), and The Byrds covered his "You're Still on My Mind" on their album Sweetheart of the Rodeo. George Jones and Jim Reeves also covered McDaniel's songs.

Discography Singles as Luke McDaniel or Luke McDaniels Year Title Record label 1952 Whoa, Boy! / No More Trumpet Records 1953 A Tribute To Hank Williams, My Buddy / This Cryin’ Heart Trumpet Records 1953 Drive On / Let Me Be A Souvenir King Records 1953 I Can't Go / For Old Times Sake King Records 1954 The Automobile Song / I Can't Steal Another's Bridge King Records 1954 Honey Won't You Please Come Home / Crying My Heart Out For You King Records 1954 Money Bag Woman / Hurts Me So King Records 1955 One More Heart / Living in a House Of Sin King Records

as Jeff Daniels Year Title Record label 1956 Daddy-O Rock / Hey Woman! Meladee Records 1959 Switch Blade Sam / You’re Still on My Mind Big Howdy Records 1959 Uh-Huh-Huh / Table For Two Big B Records 1960 Foxy Dan / Some Day You’ll Remember Astro Records 197? Uh-Huh-Huh / Table For Two Big Howdy Records 197? Foxy Dan / Bye Bye Baby Big Howdy Records 197? Hard Luck / Johnny's Big Howdy Records 197? I Tried / I’m Tired Of These Country Ways Big Howdy Records 197? Switch Blade Sam / You’re Still on My Mind Big Howdy Records Go Ahead Baby Huh Babe Sun Records (not issued) High High High My Baby Don't Rock That's What I Tell My Heart Sun Records (not issued)

Compilation album 1996 – Daddy-O-Rock – The Rock And Country Sides Of: Luke McDaniel, Hydra Records