Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 22 February 2012
MARTY ROBBINS BOOK RELEASE EVENTS
Saturday, March 31– Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. We will be celebrating the release of Twentieth Century Drifter. I’m hoping to have music by some of Marty’s band members. Details later.
Saturday, March 17 — “A Shot of Java” in Marty Robbins Plaza at 7003 N 58th Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. Plans are for a Marty Robbins tribute band to perform. Details later.
FARON YOUNG’S 80TH BIRTHDAY
Faron Young was born in a little two-bedroom rental house in Shreveport, Louisiana, on February 25, 1932. Here’s the empty lot where the house used to be, and a photo of Faron at six months old. Faron would be eighty years old on Saturday. We miss him.
LETTERS
Tom Barton is the first to report on my new book: “I want so much to thank you for writing the book! You did a superb job — and that is not just flattery…I also write professionally. My undergraduate degree was in Journalism. There are probably many people who profess to be Marty’s biggest fan, and I am one of them. Listening to him on the Opry over the radio was always thrilling, and nothing has been the same since he died. He seemed to know how to wrest every bit of fun and excitement from every minute. But, it always amazed me how far he went in life…Wonderful job!” He adds, “OK, I just HAD to stay up and finish the book! When Marty was in the process of dying, I, like so many others, was just grieving. I, too, called his office a few times to see if there was any improvement. Once, Jim Farmer answered the phone. Another time, Janet — Marty’s daughter, did. She was very pleasant, although I am sure she wanted to be doing anything but answering the phone at a time like that.”
John Morris writes from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, “It has been so long you have probably forgotten me. I got married in May and have had lots of problems with my internet and have had to change my email address. Could you please put me back on the mailing list and how can I find the letters I have missed? Also do you know of a new 4 cd set on Faron called Eight Classic Albums on 4 cds. I can’t remember the label. I hope to hear from you soon and it will be so great to get the newsletters again.”
Response: John, it’s good to have you back on the list and I wondered what had happened to you. I can’t answer your question about the 4-CD set. Perhaps one of our readers can.
Steve Clark in Fort Mill, South Carolina, says, “Add one sale to your list. I got the Amazon pre-order this morning and have ordered Twentieth Century Drifter. Look forward to reading.”
Rosemary Frisbee writes, “I would like to receive your newsletter. I am a Marty fan and looking forward to the new book.”
Linda Elliott Clark says, “Thanks for your continual updates. You do a lot of hard work to keep everyone informed. I know others appreciate it like I do. Keeps me in touch with bygone years.”
A reader in the U.K. requests, “Could you ask if anyone has any video or audio of Marty from Feb 65 to May 66 please? I’m willing to pay for it.” The email address is debra_from_uk@yahoo.com.
Alice Mackenzie writes from Massachusetts, “Great to hear from you as always. I am so looking forward to your book about Marty. Do you know where I will be able to buy it? On Amazon? As I live in mass I doubt if any of the book stores in this area will carry it. All the best with the book and for the future and thanks for writing about Marty.”
Berna Van Buskirk says, “I want to update my email information so that I continue to get updates about your book on Marty Robbins. I have the book you wrote on Faron and loved it! I can’t wait to order the one on Marty once I know it is out. Thanks and keep up the good work!”
Andrew Means, who wrote Marty’s sister’s book, writes from Arizona, “Congratulations on publication. Best of luck for the book launch.”
Jean Earle sends this note from Great Britain: “Once again we are approaching the anniversary of Faron’s birthday. One year we shared the happy occasion with Faron while he was on tour in England. He was on stage at the Rainbow Theater in London…..and they came on to present him with a beautiful cake while the audience sang Happy Birthday. Great evening, and afterwards Faron gave us the cake and we said we would raffle it to raise money for his favourite charity…A few evenings later while enjoying a Country show with Frank Jennings and his band, we held a successful raffle and were able to send a contribution to the Heart Foundation. I still very much miss Faron…thank goodness for his lovely recordings.” She adds, “We are very happy for you, re. the release of Marty’s long awaited book. We will be thinking of you on March 31st…good luck, hope it’s a wonderful day. I was pleased to read the good news of Alana’s Grandfather….the family have had a worrying time. Please send our best wishes for his continuing recovery.”
SIDEMAN SIDEBAR
Al Lewis was the steel player for the Country Deputies from New Year’s Eve in 1975 until New Year’s Eve 1979. He left the band to go to welding school. Al says Faron “was reliable as far as what he told you told you. He had a bus that was built for band comfort, as opposed to impressing fans when they came back to his suite. Checks were always there. We didn’t have to worry we were going to disband for a couple months until business picked up.” Here’s a photo of Al when I saw Faron and the Deputies in Oklahoma City on St. Patrick’s Day 1977.
