Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 9 July 2008

Marty Robbins didn’t like being called “Mr. Teardrop.” He told an interviewer in 1982, “It always embarrassed me when somebody’d say Mr. Teardrop. Ah, shoo, man, I wanted to fall down and cry, y’know. Because I didn’t like it. Because it embarrassed me. . . . I never had a name for my band. They used to call the band Marty Robbins and the Tear Drops. And it would embarrass me so much. I’d come into a little town and see the window placards that said, ‘Coming here October the 16th, Marty Robbins and the Tear Drops.’ And I’d say oh, my God, take that out of there. I’m sure glad they finally got away from that.”
Faron Young, on the other hand, wanted a classier name than the Faron Young Band. “In the country music industry,” he said, “everybody has a moniker, something to go along with their name. Like Ernest Tubb, the Texas Troubadour. Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger.” So he held a contest in 1955, and the winning entry gave him “Faron Young, the Young Sheriff, and his Country Deputies.”

BOOK REVIEW
I recently finished reading Craig Havighurst’s book, “Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City.” Having listened to country music all my life, I grew up with WSM radio and the Grand Ole Opry. I enjoyed reading about the history of the station, as well as behind-the-scenes Opry issues and stories of familiar people. Although the many names and details sometimes confused me, they were necessary to make this book the excellent historical resource that it is. And although WSM may have lacked in diversity over the years, it anchored the traditional country music I’ve always loved. The book confirmed my outsider’s opinion of the closing of Opryland. It had to be one of the stupidest decisions in the history of business. I don’t know how anyone could have thought people who planned their dream vacations to that one-of-a-kind amusement park would travel to a run-of-the-mill shopping mall. Not to mention destroying Opryland’s role in showcasing performers who hoped for discovery and a recording career.

MARTY ROBBINS INTERVIEW SEARCH
I’m trying to find the following people to interview for Marty’s biography:
Chuck Morgan, Texas Rangers Vice President of In-Park Entertainment (former WSM deejay)
Thomas “Curly” Mills (airline captain and race car driver)
Eddy Fox (drummer in late 60s))
Jeff Chandler (rhythm and harmony in 70s)
Conrad Noddin (piano in 70s)
Larry Hunt (bass in 70s and 80s)
Jim Hannaford (keyboard in late 70s)
Del Delamont (piano)
Gary Adams (rhythm in 1982)
Mike Cutright (harmony in 1982)
Shipmates of Martin David Robinson in the South Pacific 1943-45 (USS Crescent City, Boat Pools 11 & 15, Navy 158, etc.)

FLAG SALUTE
I recently learned about a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code. Military veterans not in uniform may now honor the flag with a military salute instead of placing hand over heart. So that’s what I did at the Independence Day parade on the National Mall in Washington DC last week, and it felt great!

2 Responses to “Faron Young and Marty Robbins newsletter — 9 July 2008”

  1. R. Linn Davey Says:

    I wrote you an email several weeks ago concerning Mike Cutright. I have since talked with him. He would like to hear from you. I know he has lots of stories about his days with Marty. (I’ve seen a picture of him on stage with Marty when Mike was probably in his 20’s. Mike has told me a lot about their trips together.) In return, Mike is hoping you may be able to connect him with a few other people. He says he also talked with Gary Adams and can connect you with him. Since I am at work right now, I’ll have to check his telephone number at home to be sure I give it to you correctly. The same goes for his address. It’s on West Water Street, and I think it’s 200.

  2. Thomas F. "Curly" Mills Says:

    I notice you are looking for me for a coment reguarding Marty
    Robbins.

    If this is still the case i’m retired and you can reach me here in Las Vegas at 702 521-5964 or at Raceflyer@Cox.net

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