AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Dale & Grace

Artist:Dale & Grace
Song:I'm Leaving It Up To You
Album:The Golden Age Of American Rock 'n' Roll Vol. 5





I'm Leaving It Up To You was a number one hit for the Louisiana duo of Dale & Grace in 1963. They had one other big hit and then split up in 1965. Dale Houston was born Apr. 23, 1940 in Seminary, MS and grew up in the nearby town of Collins. He learned to play piano as a child. He moved to Baton Rouge, LA at age 18 and released the single Lonely Man. Montel Records owner Sam Montalbano signed Houston to a contract. His singles were unsuccessful. In 1963, Houston was working in a bar in Ferriday. LA when Montalbano approached him about teaming up with local singer Grace Broussard. She had recorded with her brother. So they went to Montalbano's home to work together when Houston started playing I'm Leaving It Up To You on the piano. Montalbano came in from the next room and declared the song a hit. Though Houston was a songwriter, I'm Leaving It Up To You was written and recorded by Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Dewey Terry in 1957. They recorded as Don & Dewey on Specialty Records. Harris went on to play violin on Frank Zappa's classic album Hot Rats. The song was released and became a regional hit at Houston radio station KNUZ. Then Jamie Records picked it up for national distribution and it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 the week that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. In fact, Dale & Grace were in Dallas on the Dick Clark Caravan Of Stars and were waving at Kennedy when he was killed. Dale & Grace had a second top ten hit with Stop and Think It Over in 1964. Then Beatlemania took over and Dale & Grace split up in 1965 because Grace didn't like touring. She went back to singing with her brother. You can get I'm Leaving It Up To You on this Ace Records various artists comp. Donny & Marie Osmond had a hit with I'm Leaving It Up To You in 1974. Dale & Grace reunited occasionally until Dale Houston died on Sept. 27, 2007 at age 67. They were inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame in 2007. Here's Dale & Grace performing I'm Leaving It Up To You 1997.