Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 15 May 2013
Marty Robbins 57 years ago
On May 19, 1956, Marty hosted the Prince Albert portion of the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. He’d been a guest numerous times in the past five years on this prestigious half-hour NBC radio show. When time came to recite the Prince Albert jingle, “Nature in her own pure way puts the flavor in P.A.,” Marty said, “Nature in her own P.A. puts the flavor in its pure way.” Fiddle player Earl White remembers Marty coming off the stage nearly crying, fearful he would never be allowed on the show again. “He messed it up,” White says, “and he thought sure he was ruined for life. He thought his career was over. But, needless to say, it wasn’t.”
Belmont Book Award
20th Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins has won the Belmont University Country Music Book of the Year Award. I will receive the award on May 24 at the International Country Music Conference luncheon, held at Belmont University in Nashville. James Akenson, ICMC co-chair, says, “Congratulations to Diane Diekman and to the University of Illinois Press! ICMC attendees will not only enjoy a great luncheon while socializing with each other, but enjoy seeing Diane Diekman receive the Belmont Country Music Book of the Year Award.” The ICMC website lists previous winners: http://www.internationalcountrymusic.org/awards.html
Books And Beyond — Interview On Internet Talk Show
On March 13, 2013, Bonnie Blose interviewed me about Faron and Marty on her Internet talk show, Books And Beyond. The edited interview is 58 minutes, and you can download it from my website: https://dianediekman.com/?page_id=7
LETTERS
Ray Emmett sends this update from Goodlettsville, Tennessee, “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to answer my e-mails because I’ve been in the hospital for 5 weeks. I got home today [April 11] and feeling good. A little weak but getting better.”
Aileen Arledge says, “I just read in your newsletter that Steve Nath had died. When did this happen? He played on my son’s album with the rest of Faron’s band in Nashville back in the late eighties. My daughter did a lot of shows with Faron here in Michigan and Steve was a drink watchdog for Faron, making sure he didn’t drink too much. . . . I wrote a few years back about knowing Faron and what a good time we had with him. I guess it was put in your book. Can I get your book locally in my bookstore?”
Loudilla Johnson says, “Diane, your newsletter is always a GREAT read! Thank you.”
Terry Counts writes, “Good to get to read a CURRENT newsletter. After almost a year in the hospital I had so many emails it’s a wonder didn’t break the computer! That Gunfighter album is my favorite. I have it in the original LP version and recently bought the double CD of both. I wish he had cut more, the old songs from when I was little bitty brat are great memories.”
Cliff Haning reports, “Just a few lines to Let you know one of your readers has passed away and that would be Carol Blair. She lived in Indiana and her daughter emailed me and told me about it. She was a good friend of Faron Young and I think she got in touch with you when you were writing about Faron.”
Jean Earle writes from the United Kingdom, “What a happy surprise to hear from you this morning. We are still remembering all the happy times that we spent in Nashville, and our enjoyable times that we visited with Faron and Ferlin. Two FINE Country Gentlemen that are very much missed. Thank goodness for our LPs and the long hours of pleasure they hold for us. Are you thinking of following up on any of the artists mentioned in your newsletter? You will certainly have your hands full if you do.”
Bill Anderson says, “Just wanted you to know I kept telling Earl White his name was all throughout your book on Marty. I don’t think he believed me. Last week at the Opry, he had a copy of the book tucked up under his arm. He grinned and said, ‘Yep, you were right!’”