Biography
The Shacklefords emerged as a fleeting folk-pop ensemble fronted by a pair of singular personalities from the 1960s Los Angeles music world: Lee Hazlewood, the unconventional vocalist, tunesmith, and studio figure renowned for his partnerships with Nancy Sinatra, and Marty Cooper, whose songwriting and production credits encompassed work alongside Bobby Day, Brian Hyland, Tommy Roe, Bobby Bare, the Marathons, and Chubby Checker. The group’s origins trace to the mid-1940s in Huntsville, Texas, where Hazlewood, then finishing high school, began a romance with classmate Naomi Shackleford that deepened into lasting attachment. Following his college years he entered the Army, yet the couple maintained their bond; upon completing his initial enlistment they wed in 1953. During the Korean War Hazlewood received another posting, this time as a disc jockey on Armed Forces Radio serving Japan and Korea. Upon returning stateside he entered radio work that eventually brought him to Arizona, where he established a reputation as a songwriter and producer through hit recordings with Sanford Clark and Duane Eddy.
By 1963 Hazlewood had moved to Los Angeles; after issuing his debut solo album he joined forces with Marty Cooper, a onetime pop vocalist who had already achieved success writing and producing. The two assembled a vocal outfit modeled on then-popular folk ensembles such as the Kingston Trio and the Limelighters, adopting Shackleford’s maiden name for the project. Mercury Records issued the outfit’s debut album, Until You’ve Heard the Shacklefords, You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet, later that year, with contributions from Gracia Nitzsche (at the time married to arranger and producer Jack Nitzsche), Albert Stone, Cooper, and Hazlewood, supported by Los Angeles session stalwarts including Hal Blaine and James Burton. Commercial response proved disappointing. In 1966 the Shacklefords reconvened for a follow-up, The Shacklefords Sing, issued by Capitol Records, which likewise failed to register with listeners. Between 1966 and 1968 three singles appeared on Hazlewood’s LHI label, yet his growing focus on solo work and his association with Nancy Sinatra left the group inactive thereafter. The British imprint Rev-Ola reissued The Shacklefords Sing on compact disc in 2008, while the balance of the catalog has stayed unavailable.
By 1963 Hazlewood had moved to Los Angeles; after issuing his debut solo album he joined forces with Marty Cooper, a onetime pop vocalist who had already achieved success writing and producing. The two assembled a vocal outfit modeled on then-popular folk ensembles such as the Kingston Trio and the Limelighters, adopting Shackleford’s maiden name for the project. Mercury Records issued the outfit’s debut album, Until You’ve Heard the Shacklefords, You Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet, later that year, with contributions from Gracia Nitzsche (at the time married to arranger and producer Jack Nitzsche), Albert Stone, Cooper, and Hazlewood, supported by Los Angeles session stalwarts including Hal Blaine and James Burton. Commercial response proved disappointing. In 1966 the Shacklefords reconvened for a follow-up, The Shacklefords Sing, issued by Capitol Records, which likewise failed to register with listeners. Between 1966 and 1968 three singles appeared on Hazlewood’s LHI label, yet his growing focus on solo work and his association with Nancy Sinatra left the group inactive thereafter. The British imprint Rev-Ola reissued The Shacklefords Sing on compact disc in 2008, while the balance of the catalog has stayed unavailable.
Albums
