Mac (The Old Country Boy) Odell and His Alabama Jubilees Born:  May 31, 1916 Died:  January 11, 2003 KBTM Jonesboro, AR WJJD Chicago, IL WLAC Nashville, TN WWL New Orleans, NO

About The Artist Odell McLeod simply reversed his real name which he used as a song writer to become "Mac Odell." He had a noteworthy career as a radio singer over major stations in New Orleans, Chicago and Nashville as well as recording for Mercury and King. His compositions made an even larger impact, being recorded by such key figures as Roy Acuff, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Cowboy Copas, and Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper. A native of Roanoke, Alabama, "Mac" grew up in LaGrange, Georgia where he and a friend named John "Slim" Bassett formed a country duet act. As they approached adulthood they journeyed to New Orleans where they landed a musical job at WWL New Orleans. Later the pair went to Benton Harbor, Michigan where they met a couple of young ladies who became their wives. Slim left music, but Mac and his betrothed, Adeline Wood (later known as Little Addie), formed a new duet that later went to WJJD where they became regulars on the Suppertime Frolic. World War II led Mac into defense work for Michigan Power Shovel, during which time he began to work at songwriting. He sent some of his work to the newly formed Acuff-Rose, which bought five of his numbers, most notably "That Glory Bound Train" and "Radio Station S-A-V-E-D" which were recorded by Acuff. Mac looked forward to renewing his career after the war. Although Mac did not land a spot at the Grand Ole Opry, he and Addie did find work at Nashville's other 50,000 watt station WLAC. This station had a number of what became known as "studio stars" and managed to earn a living through salaried programs and sales of songbooks and other products. Mac and Addie pursued this livelihood for a decade or so, but unlike the Opry performers they did not tour much. Other WLAC acts included Big Jeff Bess and the couple Ted and Wanda Henderson. Mac landed recording contracts with such upcoming labels as Mercury and King, cutting eight numbers for the former company in 1949 and sixteen for the latter from 1952 until 1954. Songs included such well known sacred songs as "Thirty Pieces of Silver" and "From the Manger to the Cross," which became bigger hits when recorded by other artists. Other of his songs were recorded by better-known figures. Among his secular recordings were "Red Ball Rocket Train" which featured Speedy Krise on Dobro and a comical look at "Penicillin," viewed by folks as a near cure-all medicine at the time. By the late 1950's Mac had returned to Michigan and started a sign painting business. A heart attack forced his retirement. He attempted a comeback of sorts which had only modest success, but did include a couple of new albums and reissues of his old numbers which were generally considered much better. Odell continued to live in Benton Harbor, Michigan until his death. Credits & Sources Hillbilly-Music.com would like to express its thanks to Ivan M. Tribe, author of Mountaineer Jamboree — Country Music in West Virginia and other books that can be found on Amazon.com and numerous articles in other publications for providing us with information about this artist.

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   King Rec. No. Side Song Title   1040 A The Kiss of Betrayal   1040 B Life?s Elevator   1055 A Be on Time   1055 B Wolves in Sheep?s Clothing   1075 A Let?s Pray   1075 B When the Hand of God Comes Down   1159 A Set Your Dial on Heaven   1159 B I?d Rather Have God   1251 A Penicillin   1251 B Wildwood Flower   1275 A One Day Religion   1275 B What Then   1335 A Heaven Bound Gospel Train   1335 B The Stone Was Rolled Away   1361 A A Crown He Wore   1361 B Are You Practicing His Love   Mercury Rec. No. Side Song Title   6179 A Thirty Pieces Of Silver   6179 B Wild Rose Of The Mountains   6243 A Red Ball Rocket Train   6243 B That Final Day   6272 A A Prayer For Freedom [Korean War]   6272 B The Master's Train   6298 A The Sign By The Highway   6298 B From The Manger To The Cross   Quality Rec. No. Side Song Title   4243 A Wildwood Flower   4243 B Penicillin