Country Pop Bites: Mel McDaniel – February 23

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 1985 Mel McDaniel realized his only #1 single in Billboard with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On"?

It's true! Check out the video!

Here are 5 interesting facts about Mel McDaniel.

• He was inspired to play music after seeing Elvis Presley on television. His first interest in music was when he learned the trumpet in the fourth grade, but he soon learned the guitar.
• After marrying his high school sweetheart, McDaniel began performing in Tulsa. From there, he had an unsuccessful trip to Nashville, followed by quite a bit of success in Anchorage, Alaska performing in the oil fields.
• His career finally took off with “Louisiana Saturday Night” in 1981, and in early 1985 he scored his only No. 1 hit with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On".
• On November 14, 1996, he had a near-fatal fall into an orchestra pit while he was performing at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. This ended his touring career and he underwent several surgeries thereafter. McDaniel never recovered from his injuries.
• On February 19, 2011, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died at home on the evening of March 31, 2011 as a result of the disease.