Archive for October, 2009

Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 28 October 2009

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
Faron recorded “Goin’ Steady” in October 1952, a month before leaving Nashville for the Army. He’d written the song while touring with Hank Snow. He used the melody of Claude King’s “She Knows Why,” and he received advice on the lyrics from Hubert Long (his manager) and Hillous Butrum (Snow’s frontman). The song went into the Central Songs catalog, a publishing company co-owned by Faron’s record producer, Ken Nelson. “Goin’ Steady” was Faron’s fourth release on Capitol Records and his first to chart. It debuted on Billboard in January 1953, while Faron was completing infantry basic training, and eventually reached number two. (more…)

Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 14 October 2009

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

This periodic newsletter commemorates the lives of Faron Young and Marty Robbins. Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story was published in 2007 by the University of Illinois Press, and the publication goal for Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins is 2012. I’ve just finished writing chapter twelve and have reached the end of 1961 in Marty’s life.

MARTY ROBBINS IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME
Twenty-seven years ago this week, Marty Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, less than two months before his death. Marty said, “I don’t believe I deserve it yet, because there’s three other people I think who deserve it before I get it. One is Little Jimmy Dickens. The other is Webb Piece, and one is Carl Smith. (more…)