THE BIRTH OF MARTIN DAVID ROBINSON
“Born in the heat of the desert….” Eighty-four years ago this past Saturday night, twins Martin and Mamie were born in a shack (erected by their father and pregnant mother) in the desert north of Glendale, Arizona. Their older sister, Lillie, told the story this way: “One morning Grandma awakened the kids and told them there was a surprise in Mamma’s room, which was also the front room. When they went into the room, Mamma was still in bed, which was unusual. On a cot in the room were two tiny babies, each with a fist in its mouth. Grandma said the Doctor had come during the night and brought them two little twin babies. Lillie asked who was the boy and when Grandma proudly pointed, Lillie covered its face with the blanket. (more…)

MORE ON “SINGING THE BLUES”
Billboard once tracked three charts–store sales, jukebox plays, and radio plays–for each type of music. A compilation of January-February 1957 charts showed “Singing the Blues” at the top.  “Top Country and Western Records” listed Marty’s record in two number one slots and one number two slot. “Top Popular Records” did the same for Guy Mitchell’s version. And the other song at the top of both charts? “Young Love” by Sonny James. His country recording topped one country chart and one pop chart, and it held three of the number two slots. The pop version of “Young Love,” sung by Tab Hunter, was in the top ten of all three pop charts. (more…)