Obie Burnett McClinton, known professionally as O.B. McClinton, was born on April 25, 1940, in Senatobia, Mississippi. He grew up listening to country music and began his career attempting to break into R&B before transitioning to country music. McClinton wrote several songs recorded by James Carr, including the title tracks for "You Got My Mind Messed Up" and "A Man Needs a Woman". His breakthrough came with the release of "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You", a top 40 hit in 1972 from his album Obie from Senatobie. which he successfully marketed on television. McClinton released notable albums such as O.B. McClinton (1986) and The Only One (1987), which he marketed on television before it was a commonplace practice. He passed away on September 23, 1987, after a year-long battle with abdominal cancer.
