Earl Gaines  

In 1955 Gaines joined up with Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers as  lead singer and scored a #2 R & B smash "It's Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)," which has become his signature song since. The outfit didn't score a followup hit and Gaines went solo  for the same label, Excello, in addition to Champion and Poncello resulting a slew of unsuccessful singles. During this time he sang lead for Bill Doggett's band.

In 1966 he finally snagged a hit under his own name with "Best Of Luck To You" (#28 R 7 B) for the HBR label. He subsequently recorded record for Hollywood, Athens Deluxe/King and Seventy-Seven, including "Hymn Number 5".

Gaines recorded a single for Ace in 1975 ("Drowning On Dry Land") but then embarked on a fourteen year hiatus from the studio and working as a truck driver.

He resurged in 1989 with a new album "House Party" on Meltone Records, and this began his eventual comeback thanks in large part to producer Fred James. James, a Nashville-based producer whose affection for the classic Excello sound also resulted in the resurrection of onetime label staples including Clifford Curry and Roscoe Shelton; for Appaloosa, Gaines issued his 1995 comeback effort, "I Believe in Your Love", and in 1997 he also joined Curry and Shelton for a joint live recording. Since then he's appeared on a host of labels, culminating in his 2008 CD for Memphis-based Ecko Records.

Album Discography

"The Best Of Luck To You" (HBR 1966)

The Best Of Luck To You / It's Worth Anything / Trust In Me / Too Many Times / The Door Is Still Open / Poor Man Gotta Make It / Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness / You Belong To Me / I Have Loved And I Have Lived / 24 Hours A Day / Mercy On My Soul

"Lovin' Blues" (Deluxe 1970)

My Woman / The Things I Used To Do / Three Wishes For A Fool / Fruit From Another Man's Tree / From Warm To Cool To Cold / 24 Hours A Day / / My Pillow Stays Wet / The Door Is Still Open / The Meaning Of A Sad Song / Don't Deceive Me / Everyday I Have The Blues

"That's How Strong My Love Is" (Vivid Sound 1979)

info needed on this LP

"Yearning And Burning" (Charly 1986)

A Certain Girl / I'll Take Care Of You / If You Want What I Got / Been So Long / Taking All Love I Can / Trust In Me / Keep Your Mind On Me / Turn On Your Love Light / Hymn No.5 / Nine Pound Steel / It Takes You / I Can't Face It / That's How Strong My Love Is / Since I Lost You / Yearning And Burning / You're The One

"House Party" (Meltone 1989)

"I Believe In Your Love" (Appaloosa 1996)

It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) / Hey Hey I Love You / You're Gonna Burn / Closer To You / The Door Is Still Open / Part Time Love / Reap What You Sow / Breakdown / Drivin' Wheel / I Believe In Your Love / Take My Love

Roscoe Shelton, Earl Gaines, Clifton Curry "Tennessee R & B Live"  (Appaloosa 1997)

"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" (Blacktop 1999)

"24 Hours A Day" (Black Magic 1999)

Best Of Luck Baby / Now Do You Hear / Sittin' Here Drinkin' / Love You So / If I Could Only Hold Back My Tears (with Larry Birdsong) / Three Times Seven / Let Me Down Easy / Show Me Something / You Are My Sunshine / The Best Of Luck To You / It's Worth Anything / Trust In Me / Too Many Times / The Door Is Still Open / Poor Man Gotta Make It / Don't Take My Kindness For Weakness / You Belong To Me / I Have Loved And I Have Lived / 24 Hours A Day / Mercy On My Soul

"Lovin' Blues: THE STARDAY-KING YEARS 1967-1973" (Westside 1999)

My Woman / The Things I Used To Do / Three Wishes For A Fool / Fruit From Another Man's Tree / From Warm To Cool To Cold / It's Love Baby (24 Hours A Day) / My Pillow Stays Wet / The Door Is Still Open / The Meaning Of A Sad Song (Medley) / Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go) / Every Day I Have The Blues / Have Faith (In Me) / Tell Me Tonight / You Belong To Me / Good Good Lovin' / Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go / What In The World Can I Call My Own / Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go) (overdubbed version) / I'm the One You Need / House Full Of Rooms / Sixty Minute Man / Little Boy Blue / Finger Lickin'

Roscoe Shelton & Earl Gaines "Let's Work Together" (Cannonball 2000)

"The Different Feelings Of Blues & Soul" (Blue Fye 2005)

"The Lost Soul Tapes" (Aim 2006)

"Crankshift Blues" (SPV 2007) LISTEN

"Nothin' But The Blues" (Ecko 2008) LISTEN