Joe Stampley

Joe Stampley (born June 6, 1943, Springhill, Webster Parish, Louisiana) is an American country music singer.

Biography

He was born to R.C. Stampley, Jr. (1920–2000), and Mary E. Stampley (1924–2004).^[1]

In the 1960s, Stampley was the main singer for the rock group, The Uniques (not to be confused with the Jamaican and doo-wop groups with the same name). The Uniques were based out of Shreveport, about fifty-five miles southwest of Springhill, and began performing in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. In 1965, The Uniques recorded "Not Too Long Ago", the first national hit for Paula Records. One year later, they followed with "All These Things".

The Uniques released four original albums, and one greatest hits compilation between 1965 and their 1970 breakup. Most of their material was rooted in rhythm and blues, rock, pop, and swamp pop genres.

In 1971, Stampley signed with ABC-Dot and recorded seven country albums that produced such hits as "Soul Song", "Too Far Gone", "If You Touch Me, You 've Got To Love Me", "I'm Still Loving You", and a remake of "All These Things" as a two-step which reached #1 on the country chart.

In 1975, Stampley moved to Epic Records, where he released thirteen albums. These albums included such hits as: "Roll On Big Mama", "Red Wine and Blue Memories", "If You've Got Ten Minutes (Let's Fall in Love", "Do You Ever Fool Around", and "I'm Gonna Love You Back To Lovin' Me Again".

Stampley has over 60 charted records to his credit. Joel Whitburn's Billboard Top Country Singles rank Stampley 52nd among all country artists from 1944–1993 for charted singles. In 1976, Stampley had eight singles which charted on the Billboard country chart and was "Billboard's Single Artist of the Year".

Collaborations with Moe Bandy

During the height of his success, Stampley began teaming with Moe Bandy on a string of duets. Unlike the honky-tonk standards that both artists were known for, most of the "Moe and Joe" collaborations were tongue in cheek novelty and satirical songs. Their first charting hit together, "Just Good Ol' Boys", became a #1 hit in September 1979 and was their most successful single, although they shared several more hits. The most successful were "Holding the Bag", "Hey Moe, Hey Joe" (a cover of a single originally recorded by Carl Smith, with modified title and lyrics), and "Where's the Dress". The latter was a satire on Boy George, and had an opening guitar riff similar to Culture Club's #1 pop hit "Karma Chameleon".

"Where's The Dress" won the American Video Association's award for Video of the Year in 1984.^[2] Bandy and Stampley were recognized as the Country Music Association's (CMA) 1980 Vocal Duo of the Year (as "Moe and Joe"), and won the Academy of Country Music's (ACM) Vocal Duo award for two consecutive years.

In 2000, Stampley founded Critter Records. The first act signed to the label was Billy Hoffman.^[3]

Stampley occasionally performs in his native Springhill. Much of his music is available on CD from his official website.^[4]

Discography

Albums

• ^ARed Wine and Blue Memories also peaked at No. 12 on the RPM Country Albums chart in Canada.

Albums with Moe Bandy

Singles

• ^A"Soul Song" also peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Singles with Moe Bandy

Gravestone at Springhill Cemetery of Stampley's parents, R. C. and Mary Stampley

References

External links

• Joe Stampley entry at starpulse.com
• The official Joe Stampley web site