Person in history

Melba Montgomery

Melba Montgomery, American country music singer-songwriter (born 1938)

Life at a glance

Died
2025 · January 15

Their story

Who they were

Melba Joyce Montgomery was an American country music singer and songwriter. She was known for a series of duet recordings made with George Jones, Gene Pitney, and Charlie Louvin. She was also a solo artist, having reached the top of the country charts in 1974 with the song, "No Charge". Born in Tennessee but raised in Alabama, Montgomery had a musical upbringing. Along with her two brothers, she placed in a talent contest which brought her to the attention of Roy Acuff. For several years,

Early life

Early life Melba Joyce Montgomery [ 1 ] was born into a musical family in Iron City, Tennessee , United States, on October 14, 1938. [ 2 ] Siblings, Carl and Earl Montgomery, later became songwriters in the country music field. [ 2 ] She was raised in Florence, Alabama , where her father taught vocal lessons in the local Methodist church. [ 3 ] Montgomery first began singing in the Methodist church [ 4 ] and was later given a guitar at age 10. [ 3 ]

Path and career

Career 1963–1972: Breakthrough with George Jones and career as a duet artist In 1963, Montgomery signed her first major-label recording contract with United Artists Records . Her music was discovered by George Jones (who was also on United Artists) who persuaded producer Pappy Daily to sign her to the label. The pair began recording as a duet partnership beginning in 1963. [ 1 ] Montgomery wrote their first duet single called "We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds". [ 2 ] In 1963,

Why this date

Melba Montgomery appears on our January 15 calendar for 2025 as a death entry.

Sources

Cite this page

“Melba Montgomery”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/people/melba-montgomery, accessed October 28, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about Melba Montgomery

When did Melba Montgomery die?

January 15 2025.

Who else was born on this day?

The date page lists everyone we hold for that calendar day.

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