James Gilreath

American Pop/Country singer and songwriter (b. Nov. 14, 1936 Clay County, Mississippi, d. Sept. 7, 2003). James started his musical career with a local band from Tupelo, Miss : The Nite-Liters also featuring John Mihelic. They had an instrumental single 6546024 issued first on the Tennessee-based label Vee-Eight Records (# 0001/0002). The label also released Gilreath's first solo single "I Need It / Time Hasn't Helped - Vee-Eight # 1002) James reached the one-hit wonder status with his self-penned single "Little Band of Gold" (Statue Records # 600 / Joy # 274) hitting #21 for Joy on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and R&B #19 in the spring of 1963. Affter three other releases as-by Jimmy or James Gilreath on the Joy label and its closure in 1965, he decided to focus on writing songs. His "Why Not Tonight?" reached R&B # 5 (and Pop #90 only) for Jimmy Hughes Gilreath died at the age of 66 in a tractor accident at his farm in Saltillo, Miss