Forgotten Artist: Mel Street ~ Lovin' On Back Streets

[drmountebank1]

A true honky tonk legend, Donny Young Lytle on harmony in the studio. A hurtin' life, cheatin' wife, a bar an a gun

[ditzyblonde62]

RJB Productions, have decided to honor these people in our own special way. Therefore, we are initiating our own Original Country Music Hall of Fame award. This award is given those arts whose talents have been largely ignored and whose recognition in some cases is years past due. The star we now proudly welcome as an inductee into the Original Country Music Hall of Fame on this 17th day of May 2009 is proclaimed to be Mel Street. RJB Productions

[TheCINDYBATES]

SO GREAT!! THANKYOU FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO!

SINCERELY,

CINDY BATES

[highnrising]

When I'm in the mood for some real hard core, gutbucket country sleaze, I punch up Mel Street.

He never disappoints.

[TheEmmaWils]

I've played plenty of Mel Street songs on the jukebox at Joes Tackle Shop on Rivers Ave. in North Charleston myself. Unfortunately, Joe's and Mel are now only a memory, and a shame it is.

[drivinailsinmycoffin]

Set me up again bartender...

[2609donald]

another great singer that never recieved their due!!!!!!!!

[1questionable]

The 1 mf who disliked this song should be found on the backstreet.

[kemmererkid]

Mel will never be forgotten by this country fan. He was a great country star and was such a classic 70s country star. I miss him.

[CadillacL]

Good down-home-COUNTRY music. Mel left us way too soon> Shame he never knew how much he was an influence.

[jpeanrkode]

You know, it's not just Country that's suffered. Music in general isn't what it used to be. Pop use to be Frank Sinatra. And Country used to be Hank Williams. I just wish MUSIC would come back.

[waynescountry]

i love it

[margusify]

if there's a better "cheatin' song" than this....i want to hear it now?

[lilmocountry]

We need more country music like this , and get these country wanta bee's out. Country music is going down the drain very fast. radio station do not concider it country anymore. i love the song george strait / alan jackson sung. muder on music row!!! I lok one day to not even see good country entainers on tv. that already got kid rock hosting these show. wow. its all about the money now.Lets pray it dont get no worser. Have a blessed christmas everybody.Stagggerwing Country Jamboree Moultrie GA

[remmiedog1]

I love this kind of what they use call, (Good Ole County Music)

[ElainePelletierWpg]

@remmiedog1 my kind of music!

[ElainePelletierWpg]

Respond to this video...  My kind of music!

[bravebelt99]

if you want to hear the real country legends! buy Sirius Satellite Radio!!! It is aaaawesome:)

[pdlsteeler1]

@flashbell Hey knucklehead, you're burnt toast for deleting reputable comments. Beat it!!!

[bobbyniemi]

Yes, this IS COUNTRY. too bad radio stations nowadays don't embrace it!

[MrRanwolfe]

I love Mel he beats this stuff of today what a song and voice to go with it as well as his band.

[debbiejn]

This is when Country Music was Country Music!

[kickfostermac]

Mel Street lives forever with his music.

[flashbell]

@mLn109 , Hey knuckle head you are toast, beat it!

[flashbell]

@mLn109 , sorry but for breaking our channel policy, our site sniffer says you will now be blocked!

[mLn109]

@flashbell 

[highnrising]

How many people know that the hip-hop artist "Old Dirty Bastard" was actually the SECOND performer to go by that name.

[schnezza]

Sounds like George Strait followed his footsteps!!!

[amximums]

@schnezza GEORGE STRAIIT IS THE LAST OF THE LIVING LEGENDS.....

[flashbell]

@amximums, What are you saying? Haven't you heard of Ray Price, Little Jimmy Dickens, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Kitty Wells? BTW, George Straig got wimpy after "When did You Stop Loving Me!

[LT1HILLINGHOE]

@amximums Plenty of legends still alive that are better performers than Strait.

[Eyan1818]

In 1964 i was a preteen and walked into a Tackle/Bar joint off Rivers ave in Charleston,South Carolina to buy a REAL Pepsi and this was playing on the jute box i been a Mel Street Fan ever since!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting

[flashbell]

@Eyan1818 , These sort of comments leave me in total wonderment. It is amazing how country music had such an impact on daily life. Today it is sex and drugs and who will sleep with me for that deal!

[Eyan1818]

@flashbell Sorry its been a while .....i couldnt help but laugh at youre responce to my comment ,,You sound like my kinda people and i am always looking for Good Friends.. .Take Care Sincerely Eyan of Charleston, South Carolina

[amximums]

@Eyan1818 you know true country music.......

[amximums]

@amximums thank you...i can see you knew what i meant by my comment THE LAST OF THE LIVING LEGENDS,,who else has been so consitant ...from a true country fan. to another..give credit where credit is due...weather you like em or not..@schnezza..

[moproducer]

@Eyan1818 Wow, that was a major feat, considering that this was recorded in 1973.

[bluegrasslives60]

@Eyan1818 I dont believe it was 1964, maybe 74!!!!

[sally1234556789]

@Eyan1818

1964? You sure about the year?

[goffbum]

What a sad loss.......

[gophertele]

Love it.

[rconnerable]

I grew up in Matoaka and saw Mel many times at the Bramwell street fair playing on the make shift stage of a flat bed trailer along with many other great country singers. I also saw the show on the same trailer set up in Princeton WV at the Cheds store parking lot. Shortly after that show it was announced that he had taken his own life. What a sad tragedy.

[Lilearlsinks]

I know I am , and not just Mel Streets but on Tillis, Del Reeves , Pride's etc.

[CDavidS1951]

great guy, sad life. I was an honorary pallbearer at his funeral.

[knapper2000]

So sad that Mel took his own life. Could have been one of the greats in country music.

[rockets1wu1]

i knew mel and he was a super nice guy who had a lot of personal problems. yet his super voice will live on as long as country music lives.RON.

[flashbell]

@rockets1wu1 What happened to him? Why did hesnap?

[rockets1wu1]

next to the great george jones mel was the greaest country singer the world sophia wv

[jimbob56nc]

I remember growing up in White Sulphur Springs WVA in the early 60's. Mel was working with Cecil Surrat and would make a yearly trip to play and sing on main street from a truck stage. I bothered him so much one year asking him to show me some chords that he finally broke down and showed me G-C-and D on the guitar.

[MyCanadianeh]

jimbob56nc ,memories are so prescious

lucky you.

[tuttledr7]

@jimbob56nc My father talks about those days as well. He was from Welch, WV. He used to pick with Cecil and Mel. They were actually quite close friends. He was very upset about Mel. He said that he just couldn't handle stardom. He got too big too fast. You know? Folks just don't understand that. Being a star is actually quite stressful. I remember growing up, visiting Cecil every summer in Bluefield. He wrote a song for me once when I was really little.

[ditzyblonde62]

Happy Birthday Mel Street! He would have been 74 tomorrow. He's been gone 31 years. One of the greatest country singers of all time! I'm so glad he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame after he died. He is greatly missed.

[milehighcherrypie]

Love his voice. How tragic he took his own life so young.

[earlslilttlegirl]

This is my dad Earl Sinks singing harmony. He and Mel made a great time and he was one of my dad's best friends. He still misses him today

[bulbheadmyass]

Hi earlslittlegirl. This is some of the finest harmony singing in country music. I'll bet you're really proud.

[FloridaRassler]

They dont make country music like this any more. Classic stuff. Gimme a beer!

[realneal1]

This is my favorite Mel song. I sing this when I do karoake. I do not understand why the karoake vendors will not offer more of Mel"s music I am sure people would buy the great music Mel sang.

[Eyan1818]

It was 1966 i walked in a "tackle shop/ Bar" off Rivers ave. charleston,S.C. at the age of 9 and this song was Playing,I been a "Mel Street" fan ever since!!!

[HerbWalker]

God Bless these GREATS! You wont hear THIS on Country Radio today!

[FATWONTON]

They still have country radio??? if this is true, I sure in hell havent heard it

[bulbheadmyass]

Haha, fatwonton. Neither have I. They still call it country radio, they just don't play country music.

[sjkalsc]

That's why I don't even listen to that supposedly country music on radio anymore!!!!

[CadillacL]

@bulbheadmyass I don't even listen to what today calls "country"

[CadillacL]

@FATWONTON Me either.

[comdrsca]

In a conversation a few years ago with Lloyd Green, I asked him if anyone stood out from all the others as his favorite performer he ever played for.... Without hesitation he said it was Mel Street. He said there was never more of a true talent and a real gentleman than Mel. And "Mr Nashville Sound" Lloyd Green has probably played for them all at one time or another. Quite a compliment to Mr Street i think. Such a tragedy he is not here with us today. Rest In Peace my friend!

[landrykkb]

Tim McGraw only wishes he had a tenth of the country soul & could sing like Mel Street.R.I.P.Mel

[Troosevelt703]

By the way mel was born in 1935 i don't know where everyone on the net gets these other years but i beleave the people that were their it was 35

[earlslilttlegirl]

This is my dad Earl Sinks singing harmony.

[FATWONTON]

NICE-WISH I COULD SING LIKE THAT

[Troosevelt703]

where are you from earlsgirly

you kno about not exactly

[Troosevelt703]

mel is my grandfathers first cousin its cool to see other people still think about him

[bagruen]

great music!! mel could belt out a country tune!! the new artists only silently wish they could sing like that. think i'll pop a cold one and sing along!!!!!

[Rareed63]

I use to play this song over and over on the jukebox at a local bar back in the late 70's

George Jones said this man would have been one the biggest acts un country music

[highnrising]

I bet you must've been wondering how come the bouncer lifted you up and threw your ass out of that bar and they never let you back in.

[ERNSCRAGG]

DICKHEAD!

[mrlee51045]

I was in Nashville at the Disc Jockey Convention when I heard of him taaaaking his own life. that ruined the remainder of my trip to the Disc Jockey conventin. Couldn't get just a talented artist as Mel off my mind during that week.Wish he could have gotten some help and continued with his musical career. He was what country was about back then. Rest in Peace Mell. We Love You.

[rundawgrun]

As a young'un coming up Mel was my favorite and his death hurt me. I didn't follow anyone else until Keith Whitley came along and you know the story there. I'm scared to love another artist.

[geena6]

THANKYOU flashbell for another5***** post. Geena.

[Justwatchin8282]

I wish Country music still sounded like this. Wait it does...because this stuff of today isn't country, and THIS STILL IS!! Great post!

[bubbasouth69]

How refreshing to hear such a great artist again. This is one singer I will never get tired of. He left us much too soon.

[ron25921]

mel was a great singer and a great person.i knew him and his family, and he will forever live in our hearts.

[NiteOfOzzy]

Great tribute and a great way to remember Mel on his birthday and 30th anniversary of his death.

[colrebel]

Happy Birthday Mel Street. We wish you were still around making great music. At least we have these great memories.

[lukatre]

mel street has got to be one of my favorites the songs he would sing and the lyrics are some of the choices i have made and i can relate to he has got to be one of the best i am not 38 years old butn i love the old country music that is what my dad liked and i guess i fell in his footsteps hell lets have another beer

[SummerRkl]

flashbell,

Thank you for Mel's bio!

[onebad48]

someone should send a copy of this song to some of the so called COUNTRY SINGERS!!!!!! and tell them THIS IS COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!!!!

[CadillacL]

@onebad48 Tell me about it. The "country" stars of today need a HEAVY lesson in country.

[bonniegatton]

@onebad48 amen you got that right today's music ain't country..........

[onebad48]

!COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!! it ain't nothing now but toned down rock music. there ain't no country music anymore.

[klasydj]

Oh how I MISS the good 'ole days when music was...REAL. Thank you for posting this.

[blu65gibson]

always loved mel street growing up,too bad we lost him so young.one beautiful voice.

[zaaritha]

Why should I be a "stranger" of Mel Street?

I have listened to country since I was a child!

And I´m an old woman!;)

So---Mel Street; I´ve heard many times!

[zaaritha]

He had a great voice!

[kidrockxxcowboy]

i am really suprised you guys know of mel street

[jagvocate]

Today's country music could do this. If a male performer would just grab some sack and sing some hard core country again, he'd be off the charts like early 80's Hank Jr. and George Straight.

[angelaesparza]

ml street is the most bad ass singers i ever heard :)

[ElvisFreak77]

I know Grundy, lived near there in Richlands Va, I knew he was from close by. Wonderful singer, 23 hits, and not in the Hall of Fame? Disgraceful on Nashville's part if you ask me.

[flashbell]

I agree and I call it "The Hall of Shame."

[ElvisFreak77]

Wonder what we can do to change the fact that he is not in the Hall? Wish I knew who to contact.

[flashbell]

You can call the Country Music Association located in Nashville. They have a web site too. Good luck though. Be careful you may step on some egos! Remember, it is the Hall of Shame.

[ElvisFreak77]

I see what you mean flashbell, I contacted somebody but got a e-mail back that I should read the way they vote for the entries, its all a crock, I had always heard about the Nashville establishment but now I know.

[flashbell]

They do things the way they see fit and care less about the general public. Country music has encountered a "hostile takeover."

[ElvisFreak77]

You would think that with all the success of the talents they turned their noses up at they would have learned a long time ago, but they are still the same, its a wonder Faron Young is in the Hall of Fame, or Patsy Cline, because they did not follow in the direction that Nashville would have wanted, its not about who is good, its more about selling out to me, Johnny Cash would not, neither did Hank Williams, what a shame they don't recognize what the public want, isn't that what its all about?

[crowgranny]

REAL COUNTRY MUSIC .

[alwayssme]

if you love mel's music as i do, find gene watson, he is as much a singer and entertianer as mel was..... two great voices,

[shirl125]

Love Mel Street .

[sherrisml]

I remember watching his show,and my mom singing along with his songs. This was one of my favorites. I remember hearing of the day he took his life, he had so much potential. Greatly missed in Bluefield, WV

[txstoryteller]

He could have been a huge star in c/w music. Such a shame!! He is greatly missed by this traditional country music fan! His music will live on; great stuff!!

[tnelswife]

Yes he could have been a superstar in the country world and will always be a legend in his own time. One of my classic country favs.

[TracyLuvsKen]

yes he was a great singer and will always be one of my favs...

[drivinnailsinmycoffi]

Might be my all-time favorite.

Many thanks...

[txlucylu]

Absolutely one of the best talents that would have been a super star - his music will never get old!

[Grundyboyz]

Grundy, VIRGINIA not west..

[flashbell]

Thanks for catching my error. It has been corrected.

[jetport71]

One of the best

[bengalsredsfan4life]

what a singer he was

[jtls8]

Yes he was!