SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
On 17 September we remembered the 29 short years of Hank Williams, who was born 85 years ago. On 18 September I celebrated another great year. This Friday, 26 September, we’ll remember Marty Robbins, born in the Arizona desert 83 years ago. Marty’s fans in his hometown of Glendale AZ are having a party in his memory. Check http://www.ashotofjava.com/ for details

GLENDALE/PHOENIX/WILLCOX, ARIZONA
My sister and I are headed to Arizona next week to research Martin David Robinson’s youth. “A Shot of Java” on the Marty Robbins Plaza in Glendale is hosting an event 1 October for me from 1-3 PM. I’ll autograph Faron’s book and talk to those who remember Marty Robbins. Then we’ll drive to Willcox to see Rex Allen, Jr., and Johnny Western at Rex Allen Days on Saturday. Here’s the schedule for that: http://rexallendays.org/html/rad_schedule.html
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RAY PRICE AND MEL TILLIS
Last week I heard on XM-13 radio that Mel Tillis and Ray Price would be at a fair in Frederick, Maryland, on Sunday. So I emailed Ernie Reed to ask if he would be there with the Statesiders. I met him backstage after their soundcheck and he introduced me to both Mel and Ray. Each did an hour show, Mel first. He and the Statesiders looked super sharp in their tailored green uniforms, and they sounded great. Ray Price was as good as ever, too. But it was hard to concentrate on his music because I was awestruck to have Mel Tillis sitting next to me. Mel said my Faron Young book is one of the best biographies he’s ever read. He called it a classic and said it “nailed Faron”–that it was an accurate assessment of his longtime friend.
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INTERVIEWS
In the past two weeks I’ve found four more Marty Robbins band members. All were with the band when Marty died. Larry Hunt, bass player, had a stroke a year ago. I interviewed pianist Jim Hannaford of Nashville and the rhythm-guitar-playing-harmony-singing pair of friends from Ohio, Gary Adams and Mike Cutright. Thanks to Lynn Davey and Jim Smith for putting me in touch with them.

PHOENIX RESEARCH TRIP
My sister and I will soon be in Phoenix to research Martin David Robinson’s youth. “A Shot of Java” on the Marty Robbins Plaza in Glendale is hosting an event October 1st for me to autograph Faron’s book and talk to those who remember Marty Robbins. I’m sorry to miss the earlier celebration of Marty’s birthday on Friday evening, September 26. Check http://www.ashotofjava.com/ for details. We’ll also be attending Rex Allen Days the weekend of October 3-5 in Willcox AZ. Here’s the schedule for that: http://rexallendays.org/html/rad_schedule.html

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