(Milo Liggett [Shurl or Shirley Legate])
Australia
#29 Brisbane
Singer-songwriter-pianist Jade Hurley’s big break came with his appearance on Johnny
O’Keefe’s Six O’Clock Rock in August 1959. That was when he changed his name from John on JO’K’s advice.
From the 70s, Jade Hurley (b.1943) became famous for his country-rock performances of rock’n’roll standards
on The Mike Walsh Show, and he has
successfully continued in that vein ever since.
It is possible to overlook, though, that his earlier singles were usually of his own original material, notably How I Lied (1965, #32 Sydney, #11 Melbourne, #25 Brisbane, #5 Perth), where his confident country-pop vocals nicely combined with the melodic and rhythmic feel of the current beat era.
With the exception of Gold And Silver, Jade Hurley’s other charting songs were all his own compositions: My Baby Judy (1965, #11 Perth), I’m Ashamed Of You (1966, #28 Perth) and Down In The Riverina (1974, #34 Sydney).
In 1998 Jade Hurley was awarded an Order of Australia for services in entertainment and community work. He continued to tour Australia in his distinctive motorhome into the 21st century. In 2008 he broke attendance records at the Tamworth Country Music Festival when 1550 people turned up to his show.
Update 2024: Official website website jadehurley.net was listing tour dates up to November 2024.
Background: Damian Johnstone’s biography of Johnny O’Keefe,
The Wild One (2001) recounts Johnny
O’Keefe’s role in Jade Hurley’s career from the late 50s to his 70s rock revival phase. 2. Rock ‘n’ roll Hurley goes to
Heaven, Gold Coast Bulletin, 6 June 2002.
On United Artists album I Get Lonely In A Hurry, November 1964 by much-admired Texas-born Country singer. George Jones’s recording career began in 1952 with Starday Records owner Pappy Daily, his producer over the next 16 years. From the early 70s he was produced at Epic by Billy Sherrill.
Most accounts of George Jones’s career refer to his stormy relationship with Country star and fellow Epic artist Tammy Wynette, whom he married in the late 60s and with whom he cut a number of well-regarded duets. The consensus, though, is with Stephen Thomas Erlewine at All Music:
By most accounts, George Jones is the finest vocalist in the recorded history of country music. Initially, he was a hardcore honky tonker in the tradition of Hank Williams but over the course of his career he developed an affecting, nuanced ballad style. In the course of his career, he never left the top of the country charts, even as he suffered innumerable personal and professional difficulties.
Jade Hurley has named George Jones as his favourite male singer, “the singer’s singer”.
References: 1. George Jones biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine at All Music. 2. George Jones entry at
MusicWeb Encyclopaedia of Popular Music.
Official site: GeorgeJones.com
(Milo Liggett [Shurl or Shirley Legate])
USA
B-side on Monument October 1964 by Sonny James’s bassist and road manager.
Milo Liggett is the composer, using his real name Shurl or Shirley Legate.
Milo Liggett was road manager, featured artist, and played a major role in all James’ personal appearances. His comedy with Sonny is remembered by loyal fans throughout the country music industry.
sonnyjames.com [archived]
Thanks to Larry Shutes for clarification.
(Milo Liggett [Shurl or Shirley Legate])
USA
Original version
Single on Capitol November 1963 by Country
singer Sonny James (James Loden 1928-2016) known as
The Southern Gentleman.
Sonny James dominated the Country charts in the late 60s with a long run of #1 hits, most of them covers of
well-known songs. His recording of the Carole
Joyner–Ric Cartey composition Young Love 
had charted #1 on the mainstream pop charts in
January 1957 when Tab Hunter’s version followed it to #1 a couple of weeks later.
The writer credit on the Sonny James single is to Shurl Legate.
Further reading: 1. Sonny James biography by John Bush at All Music. 2.
Official site at SonnyJames.com. 3. Sonny James, inductee at Country Music Hall of Fame. 4. Sonny James discographies at Petr Vitous’s website: albums and singles.
Label shot from EstatesLtd eBay Store:
music, paper items and yearbooks from estate sells, flea markets, private collections and individuals [link].
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Website by Lyn Nuttall. © Lyn Nuttall 2004-2024. Chart positions courtesy of Gavin Ryan’s Australian Chart Books and Dean Scapolo’s Complete NZ Music Charts. Special thanks to Terry Stacey for information, corrections and suggestions. Thanks also to Tony Watson, Philippe Edouard, Dave Overett.., More…