Marty, own name Martin David Robinson, was born was born in September 26, 1925, in the southwestern region of the United States, in state Arizona. Nickname of this state is rand Canyon State, but in Slovakia and Czech I think, most people know this state name from one famous comedy, western - Limonadovy Joe aneb Konska opera (Lemonade Joe). Unforgiven song - "Arizona, Arizona, that's all right men's zone". :O)
Marty became of 10 siblings. His childhood was formed by his father, who played on harmonica and also songs and stories, which his grandfather (Bob Heckle) spoke. But situation in family was very difficult, unhappilly his father was drunkard and it was main reason to divorce marriage. Marty interested in films of Gene Autry and his dream was to become singing cowboy too.
He left the family in age of 17-teen and sign on US Navy. All The Second World War he spent in Pacific and during this time he learned to play on guitar and to write songs.
After end of War, he left Army and started to play in clubs in Phoenix. During short time he had own TV show. One of his quests was also Little Jimmy Dickens. Jimmy was surprised of Marty and advice Columbia Records to sign exclusive contract with Marty Robbins. In 1952 studio released Marty's single Love Me Or Leave Me Alone.
The third Marty's single (I'll Go On Alone) became No.1 of Country Hit-parade in 1953 and next record I Couldn't Keep From Crying was in Top Ten.
He was also few times on scene of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and from 1953 he started to be permanent member of it. His next famous records were Pretty Words, That's All Right, Singing The Blues, Knee Deep In The Blues, The Story Of My Life, White Sport Coat, Teenage Dream, etc.
He triumphed on country scene and in same time he permeated to pop scene. You can see it on his records from 1958 She Was Only Seventeen and Stairway Of Love. His absolute famous song was El Paso.
In 1961 Marty recorded single Don't Worry. Next famous song was Devil Woman and brought him again to the top of Pop Hit-parades. In same year Marty recorded Ruby Ann. From that time Marty till his death, stayed only in country scene and brought other famous songs (Begging To You, Ribbon Of Darkness, Tonight Carmen, I Walk Alone, My Woman, My Woman, My Wife.
From 1972 Marty signed three years contract with Decca/MCA. From 1976 he recorded in Columbia Records again. He became on Top Ten with El Paso City and Among My Souvenirs.
You can also see Marty Robbins in movies as actor - The Gun And The Gavel, The Badge Of Marshal Brennan a Buffalo Gun. He showed in many TV shows and had a lot of concerts.
He had been known by kindness to fans. It's irony of destiny that in 1982 he brought new single You'll Never Get Out Of his World Alive. Only two months later, when his song named Some Memories Just Won't Die left Top 10, he died on heart attack.
Family life:
In 1948, Robbins married Marizona Baldwin and he dedicated her his song My Woman, My Woman, My Wife. They had two children - son Ronny (born 1949) and daughter Janet (born 1959). Both stay also in show business (daughter has a singing career in Los Angeles, son create records for recording studios Artic, Columbia, Epic), but they didn't achieve so large success as their father.
Marty Robbins was also very impassioned race car driver. He had show his passion also in movie, he played himself in Hell of Wheels.
Discography:
Albums
1956 Rock'n Rollin' Robbins
1957 The Song of Robbins
1957 The Song of the Islands
1958 Marty Robbins
1959 Marty's Greatest Hits
1959 Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
1960 More Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
1961 More Greatest Hits
1961 Just a Little Sentimental
1962 Marty After Midnight
1962 Portrait of Marty
1962 Devil Woman
1963 Hawaii's Calling Me
1963 Return of the Gunfighter
1964 Island Woman
1964 R.F.D.
1965 Turn the Lights Down Low
1966 Saddle Tramp
1966 What God Has Done
1966 Drifter
1967 My Kind of Country
1967 Tonight Carmen
1967 Christmas with Marty Robbins
1968 By the Time I Get to Phoenix
1968 I Walk Alone
1969 Singing the Blues
1969 Country
1969 It's a Sin
1970 Story of My Life
1970 El Paso
1970 My Woman, My Woman, My Wife
1971 Greatest Hits
1971 From the Heart
1971 Today
1971 The World
1972 Own Favorites
1972 Bound for Old Mexico
1972 All Time Greatest Hits
1972 I've Got Woman's Love
1972 Have I Told You Lately
1972 This Much a Man
1973 Marty Robbins
1974 Good'n Country
1975 Two Gun Daddy
1975 No Signs of Loneliness Here
1976 El Paso City
1977 Adios Amigo
1977 Don't Let Me Touch You
1978 Performer
1978 Greatest Hits
1979 All Around Cowboy
1980 With Love
1981 Everything I've Always Wanted
1981 Encore
1981 The Legend
1982 Come Back to Me
1982 Biggest Hits
1983 Some Memories Just Won't Die
1983 Lifetime of Song
1983 Twentieth Century Drifter
1984 Long Long Ago
1986 Christmas to Remember
singles
1952 I'll Go on Alone
1953 I Couldn't Keep from Crying
1954 Pretty Words
1954 Call Me Up (And I'll Come Calling on You)
1955 Time Goes By
1955 That's All Right
1955 Maybelline
1956 Singing the Blues
1956 I Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far)
1957 Knee Deep in the Blues
1957 The Same Two Lips
1957 A White Sport Coat
1957 Please Don't Blame Me
1957 Teen-Age Dream
1957 The Story of My Life
1958 Just Married
1958 Stairway of Love
1958 She Was Only Seventeen (He Was One Year More)
Today is 27-th anniversary of death of one country icon - Marty Robbins (December 8, 1982). He emphasised unforgiven series of cowboy and Mexican ballads. He became to the Country Music Hall of Fame and his songs are still in hit-parades.
Do you remember New Christy Minstrels? If no, try to visit their page in this blog. One of the past members was Kenny Rogers.
He was born in Houston (Texas, US) in August 21, 1938. His full name is Kenneth Donald Rogers. He grown up as the fourth child of the seven siblings in the poorest town district. As very young boy he started in music band Scholars. In 1958 they recorded pop hit That Crazy Feeling. He didn't finish to sing neither meanwhile studying on Houston University, also during his next job (he worked as member of advertising dept. of recording company).
Real music career began with his membership in jazz trio of Bobby Doyle (The Bobby Doyle Three), where he played on bass. After his membership in vocal quartet Kirby Stone Four, he joined in music band New Christy Minstrels. In 1967, when the group finished its activity, established band First Edition (with few past members of New Christy Minstrels as Mike Settle, Terry Williams, Thelma Lou Camacho, Terry Jones). In the next years he recorded more albums as Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In – 1968), very famous song Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town (about soldier's returning from Korea war – 1969. This song had been till Top 10. This is the first Kenny Rogers's song which I had been listened.), Reuben James - 1969, Something's Burning – 1970 or Heed The Call – 1970. In the end of 1972, the band had TV show, but popularity went already down. That's why they stopped activity. It was that moment, when Kenny decided to set himself on self feet and started his solo career. He signed exclusive contract with company United Artist (1975). In the moment then he recorded his first country album You Lifted Me. It was his debut album and in the beginning of 1976 it became number one in hit parade. But he started to famous with the single Lucille from 1977. This album was on the top of country and also pop hit parade (number one in Hot Country, number five in Pop). They sold about five million copies. This recording got award Album of the Year and brought to Kenny the first Grammy. He was also vote award The Favourite Singer of All Time. From this moment Kenny started to bring one hit after another and also other interesting awards in many different categories (he has received many awards for his music and charity work, included Grammys, AMAs, ACMs, CMAs). He freely traversed interim style, he showed that country star can have success also in pop scene. He had some famous duets with famous singers as Kim Carnes (I don't Fall in Love With a Dreamer), Sheena Easton (We've Got Tonight), Dottie West (Every Time Two Fools Collide, AnyoneWho Isn't Me Tonight, What Are We Doin' in Love), etc.. He came to TV shows, acted in few movies (Six Pack, The Gambler, Christms in America, Covard of the County, ...). In the end of 1983 he finished cooperation with United Artist and signed new contract with RCA company. From this time I can reflect song Islands In The Stream with Dolly Parton (song was composed by Bee Gees originally for Diana Ross and immediately became hit), Real Love, Crazy, Morning Mesire, ..... In 1989 he choose recording company again, now it is Reprise Records, where he recorded his the most famous hit Love Is Strange (again duet with Dolly Parton). In the end of 80-teen and in the beginning of 90-teen he was busy by charity work, concerts and his own restaurants with fast food Kenny Rogers's Roasters. Also he wrote two books (Kenny Roger's America, Kenny Rogers: Your Friends and mine). He established recording studio Dreamcatcher in 1998 and produced Christmas album Christmas From The Heart. In the last time, his succes was album The Greatest. In the 21st century, Kenny is back with new single.(Buy Me a Rose). He doesn't record any album, but he has success with greatest hit packages. He income to American Country Charts.
From his private live: Kenny has been married five times. Now his current wife is Wande Miller. He has one daughter and four sons.
Kenny Rogers Discography: 1967 The First Edition 1969 Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town... 1970 Fools 1970 Something's Burning 1971 Tell It All Brother 1971 Transition 1971 Kenny Rogers and the First Edition Greatest. 1972 Backroads Jolly Roger 1972 Planet Texas 1972 The Ballad of Calico 1973 Monument - Jolly Rogers 1973 Star Collection WEA 1974 Rollin Jolly Rogers 1976 Love Lifted Me EMI America 1977 Daytime Friends EMI America 1977 Kenny Rogers United Artists 1978 Love or Something Like It United Artists 1978 The Gambler EMI America 1978 Every Time Two Fools Collide United Artists 1978 Ten Years of Gold EMI Ameri 1979 Kenny Razor & Tieca 1979 Singles Album United Artists 1979 Classics United Artists 1979 Classics EMI 1980 Greatest Hits Evergreen 1980 Greatest Hits EMI America 1980 Greatest Hits SND 1980 Gideon United Artists 1980 Shine Out Radar 1981 Christmas EMI America 1981 Lady Liberty 1981 Ruby MFP 1981 Share Your Love Razor & Tie 1982 Love Will Turn You Around EMI America 1983 We've Got Tonight Razor & Tie 1983 Eyes That See in the Dark RCA 1983 20 Greatest Hits [EMI America] EMI America 1984 The Best of Kenny Rogers Breakaway 1984 Duets Capitol 1984 What About Me RCA 1984 Once upon a Christmas RCA 1985 Heart of the Matter RCA 1985 Love Is What We Make It Liberty 1986 Short Stories Liberty 1986 They Don't Make Them Like They Used To RCA 1986 15 Greatest Hits MCA 1987 25 Greatest Hits EMI America 1987 I Prefer the Moonlight RCA 1989 Christmas in America Reprise 1989 Something Inside So Strong Reprise 1989 Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes Capitol 1989 Breakout Pair 1989 Lucille & Other Classic Pair 1989 All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Universal 1990 Greatest Hits RCA 1990 Featuring the Songs of Kenny Rogers & First... Universal 1990 20 Great Years Reprise 1990 Greatest Country Hits Curb 1990 At Their Best Hollywood 1990 Love Is Strange Reprise 1991 Some Prisons Don't Have Warner 1991 Back Home Again Reprise 1991 The Best of Kenny Rogers & the First Edition... Huub 1991 The Very Best Quicksilver 1991 Love Songs Universal 1992 The Best of Kenny Rogers CEMA 1992 All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 Universal 1992 Lucille Special Music 1992 Heart to Heart RCA 1993 If Only My Heart Had a Voice Warner 1993 Every Time Two Fools Collide: The Best of... EMI-Capitol 1994 20 Greatest Hits Big Country 1994 Early Years Essex 1994 Timepiece 143/Atlantic 1995 Ultimate Bransounds 1995 Christmas Wishes Cema Special 1995 Greatest Hits Prime Cuts 1995 Anthology Alex 1995 The Best of Kenny Rogers Capitol 1996 Kenny Rogers Eclipse Music 1996 Golden Hits Intercontinent 1996 Greatest Hits Hip-O 1996 The Gift Magnatone 1997 Across My Heart Magnatone 1997 Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 Public Music 1997 Decade of Hits Warner 1997 20 Golden Hits Galaxy 1997 Songs You Know By Heart Beacon 1997 Revue Collection Revue 1997 King of Country Javelin 1997 For the Good Times [SMS] Planet 1998 Original Hits Master Tone 1998 Good Time Liberator Mastertone 1998 With Love Madacy 1998 Original Gold Disky x 1998 Original Gold Disc One Disky 1998 Original Gold Disc Two Disky 1998 Through the Years [Disc #1] BX 1998 Through the Years [Disc #2] BX 1998 Through the Years [Disc #3] BX 1998 The Love Collection [Excelsior] Excelsior 1998 20 Great Love Songs Disky 1998 Branson City Limits [live] Unison 1998 Christmas from the Heart Dreamcatcher 1999 She Rides Wild Horses Dream Catcher 1999 For the Good Times Pegasus 1999 Through the Years: A Retrospective Capitol x 1999 A&E Biography [live] Capitol 1999 Love Collection Madacy 1999 Kenny Rogers [Classic World] Liberty 1999 Classic Love Songs Crimson 1999 Through the Years Golden Sounds x 1999 Islands in the Stream: The Greatest Hits... Music Club 1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box] Madacy x 1999 All the Hits & All New Love EMI 1999 Endless Love Empire Music 1999 Simply the Best Disky 1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 3] Madacy 1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 2] Madacy 1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 1] Madacy 2000 First Hits Legacy 2000 Solid Gold Cleopatra 2000 Forever Gold St. Clair 2000 Always in Love Madacy 2000 Hearts on Fire Madacy 2000 Heart to Heart Madacy 2000 Kenny Rogers & Friends Madacy 2000 Classics from the Heart Madacy 2000 Collector's Edition [Two Disc] Madacy 2000 Collector's Edition [Single Disc] Madacy 2000 Always & Forever Madacy 2000 The Gold Collection Fine Tune 2000 The Best of Love [Box] Madacy x 2000 Classic Country Direct Source 2000 Dueling Country Direct Source 2000 Platinum Series D-3 2000 Good Old Country St. Clair 2000 With Love [2000] Madacy 2000 The Best of Kenny Rogers and the First... Edeltone 2000 Superstar Dressed to 2000 Love Songs, Vol. 2 Capitol 2000 The Love Collection [2000 Madacy Box] Madacy x 2000 Christmas Greetings Capitol 2000 Christmas Wishes from Kenny Rogers Delta 2000 There You Go Again Dream Catcher 2001 The Way It Used to Be Direct Source 2001 A&E Live by Request Dreamcatcher 2001 Sing You a Sad Song TKO Magnum 2001 Greatest Country Hits, Vol. 2 Curb 2001 Greatest Country Hits, Vol. 3 Curb 2001 For the Good Times Direct Source 2001 Signature Series Direct Source 2001 Best Inspirational Songs Curb 2001 The Best of Kenny Rogers Madacy 2001 Kenny Rogers LaserLight 2001 Songs of Love Madacy 2001 Ten Years of Gold Madacy 2001 The Gambler Dreamcatcher 2001 Always Leaving Starburst 2001 Love Songs Capitol 2001 Love Songs Madacy 2001 Collection Madacy x 2002 For the Good Times Town Sound 2002 The Gambler Originals 2002 The Heart of a Legend Madacy 2002 Kenny Rogers Columbia River 2002 Country Classics 2002 Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town. Prestige Elite 2002 Calico Silver 2003 Heart of the Matter Castle 2003 Back to the Well Import HBO Presents Kenny Rogers Liberty One Night Reprise The Best of Kenny Rogers Collectables Greatest Hits Reprise The Best of Kenny Rogers & the First Edition... K-Tel 20 Great Hits Hollywood Gift Set EMI America The Best of Kenny Rogers & First Edition,... Satellite Hits & Pieces MCA 60's Revisited MCA Sweet Music Man CEMA
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition - Ruby
Lucille
Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton - Islands in the stream
When I ask you : „Do you know Rangers?“ Your answer will be: „What's the question? Yes, of course.“ „Really?“I ask. „Yes, who doesn't know them? New York Rangers, you means, don't you?“ „No, not them.“ „Ah, you mean Rangers. Texas Rangers, something like cops. Yes I know them too. Or do you mean Elit Force from Vietnam?“ „No, I don' t mean that Rangers.“ „Really? And which Rangers do you mean?“ „Rangers – country group.“ „Hm, I have never hear about them.“ „Ok, you will hear now.“
They are my most favourite Czech groups. I listened this music from my childlike years and I listen it in spite of dead of its head protagonist (Milan Dufek). To tell the true, this country group is one of them, who help my country style's life to grow up. Maybe it's destiny, but life can be very cruel. Milan dead in accident (meeting with motor sculler).
The beginning of this famous country group was in 1963, the decision to establish the western group. On the zero class on Engineering Faculty, main protagonists met together (Antonín Hájek, Milan Dufek, Petr Fáček). On holidays, they liked to travel on boating together, during day they boated, in the evening they played near campfire. Hardly anywho country group had so much popularity between public than Rangers. In the first class, new members (Jiří Veisser, Jan Vančura, Miroslav Řihošek) came there. Later group expanded more(Radek Tomášek and Jarka Hadrabová). Year 1965 and the first concert (in Vinohradská Sokolovňa) and the first honorarium (beer and hot dog) The most important moment became, when Rangers found songs of american group New Christy Minstrels. This music and music of next four groups (Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Stoneman's Family, Seekers) influenced all Rangers's production. The first show was in Prague, in student club, next in Cultural House, because there a lot of people came and club hasn't so high capacity. Year 1967 was their first Porta - their first win – their first concert in Slovakia, Bratislava. In 1968 they recorded the first but not the last LP desk in Panton (recording studio) and in the next year album The Rangers. There were their most popular songs as Ta zem je tvá zem, Shenandoah, Zvedněte kotvy or Balíček karet. Jarka Hadrabová finished her cooperation (she had some problems with her health). In 1970 they sold million LP in Czechoslovakia. This situation enabled to have tours in Buenos Aires (1974), on Cuba (1974), Lisabon(1982 – high number of people), country festivals in Polland and Hungary, Mexico(1984), 14 concerts in Sao Paul (1988). During their existence they had changed name from Rangers to Plavci (Swimmers - direction from political mode in 1971), but popularity didn't go down. Just conversely, go up. Their popular songs Vím, vím(1970), Pole s bavlnou(1970), Král silnic(1970), Nos pro trable(1971),Teče voda(1971), Láska je věc kouzelná(1971), Kingstontown(1973), Najdi tón(1977), Drak od Bílé skály(1980), Trpasličí svatba(1980) became to traditional folk, they are singing during folk festivals, near campfires, in country restaurants, etc. Rangers or Plavci were so popular, they had about 300 concerts/year. Very hard blow came in 1989, Antonín Hájek died (In December 15, after consequence of malign disease). After change of political situation in Czechoslovakia (1989) group choose its name (Plavci) to original from beginning (Rangers) in 1990.
Actual members from 1990 to 1999: Milan Dufek – singer, guitar Jiří Kaleš – singer, guitar Jan Podjukl . singer, bass guitar Luboš Řehák – singer, tambourine Miroslav Řihošek – singer, banjo, acustic guitar Jiří Veisser – singer, violin
1992 brought record Country show with the legend of country music Dave Dudley. In 1993 CD The best of Minstrels by Rangers production. Consecutively, they travelled througth USA and Canada, got platinium desk (sale of 2 millions records), tour in Australia (1997), next platinium desk (CD 21x Rangers – 1998 by Bonton production). As many other music group, Rangers had their Yoko Ono too, but they outlasted. Dead of Milan Dufek didn't mean definite finish of group but finish of main period of it. From this time you can find three country groups with very similar name (Rangers, Rangers Band, New Rangers). Rangers had shows mainly in Czech republic, but every year we could see them on Country Lodenica in Piešťany. I can tell you, it was one of the most popular presentation in this festival. But it wasn't that right. The most of original group members are in Rangers Band now (I didn't know it in Lodenica - my mistake, but they sang original songs and it was perfect to listen them again).
I had happiness to be on their last concert in Bratislava, in 2005, when there were all of their members with Milan Dufek on the head and got their autographs. Everytime, when I listen this music, I'd like to smile and cry in one time. Smile - because it's very nice music, cry - because original Rangers with Milan Dufek can't be back. I can never visit their shows anymore. I wish only he could see us from the heaven.
Their songs are still alive and old Rangers (before 2005) will live in many hearts forever.
Orchidej (Orchid) - original song Today - The New Christy Minstrels
Vysočina (Highland)
Láska je věc kouzelná (Love is miracle thing)
Mám radost (I'm happy)
Pes suverén (Dog sovereign)
Dej Bože můj (Give me, my God, please)
A já Tě nechci (And I don't want you anymore)
Vím, vím (I know, I know) - original song Green Green - The New Christy Minstrels
Her own name is Annie McGowan. She was born in December 26, 1941 in Puryear, Tennessee as Rosan Gallimore. She comes from Indian's family - Cherokee. The family was pure, she grew between acres of tobacco and cotton plants near Puryear.
She sang and played on piano in the Church. From 1954 she presented herself with group Gallimore Sisters in program Junior Grand Ole Opry. She marriaged with Max McGowan. Later Annie came to Memphis and sang blues on Beale Street. She traveled through American South and finished this tour through America in Austin, where she met Will Nelson, Bill Joe Shaver and David Allan Coe. In 1980 she recorded her own great album Rattlesnake And Rusty Water, where you can also find John Hartford, Josh Graves, Vassar Clements, Charlie McCoy. This album is combination of traditional country and blues.
Annie is the first country singer from the West, who recorded album in communistic Czechoslovakia (Last cowboy, in 1982, with Michal Tučný). In 1987 she signed contract with Columbia Record and recorded some single albums (Indian Dream, Rattlesnake Annie Sings Hank Williams). A few years she lived with her husband in Spain. It was exactly she, who brought traditional country to Japan.
In 1995 she recorded in Czech production album Adios Last Cowboy as tribute of memory to Michal Tučný.
The third Marty's single (I'll Go On Alone) became No.1 of Country Hit-parade in 1953 and next record I Couldn't Keep From Crying was in Top Ten.
Do you remember 
When I ask you : 
