JIMMY HUGHES

Born: 1938 in Leighton, Alabama
Died:  April 1, 1997

Jimmy Hughes is a down home blues singer. He sells his songs with moving sincerity and honesty. There is no pretense in his singing, just genuine warmth and emotion. In other words Jimmy Hughes is a soul singer; he sings from where it counts.

Like many of our great blues singers Jimmy Hughes received his early training in the gospel field. As a youngster he started singing in his local church choir in his home town of Florence, Alabama. At the age of eight he showed such ability that he became a soloist with the choir. When he reached his teens he decided on a career as a spiritual singer and a few years later he joined a gospel group. For many years he sang spirituals' with groups and as a soloist. It was this early experience that gave Jimmy Hughes the confidence and the emotional quality that marks his singing today.

In 1963 Jimmy Hughes came to the attention of Rick Hall, the President of Fame Records. His first recording for Fame was a moving blues tune, I'm Qualified. Although it didn't turn into a big hit, it received a great deal of air play and sales throughout the South. Jimmy Hughes' next record, a tune he wrote himself, turned into a national hit. That tune was "Steal Away," and the great success of that record thrust Jimmy Hughes into the limelight and made him a solid attraction on the one-nighter and concert circuit.

Jimmy Hughes' hit records have come fast and plentifully since "Steal Away." "Neighbor, Neighbor," "I Worship The Ground You Walk On" and "Why Not Tonight," all of which have been both rhythm and blues and pop bestsellers, have secured for him a place In history as one of the outstanding blues singers of the 1960's. Jimmy Hughes' first solo LP showcases, more of the soulful, intensely moving vocal qualities that have moved him to the forefront among the country's top soul singers.- BOB ROLONTZ

Steal Away / 1964 / Vee-Jay *** A classic pleading Rick Hall-produced ballad leads off this impressive debut album by the Alabama singer. It is available only on vinyl. -Bill Dahl

Why Not Tonight / 1967 / Atco **** It's criminal that this Muscle Shoals soul classic isn't on CD-It includes aching, atmospheric lovelorn ballads and the ominous pounding hit "Neighbor, Neighbor" -Bill Dahl