ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Marty Robbins 

( Sep. 26, 1925 ~ Dec. 8, 1982)

Career Highlights  

Barn Dance Affiliate: Louisiana Hayride 

No. 12 Country Music Artist (1944-1993)

Grand Ole Opry Member -1953

Film, Night Club, Radio & TV 

• Badge of Marshall Brennen, 1
• Ernest Tubb’s  Midnight Jamboree, 3
• Gilley’s Club, 2
• Gun and the Gavel, 1
• Guns of a Stranger, 1
• Hee Haw, 4
• Hell On Wheels, 1
• Nashville Now, 4
• Pop Goes the Country, 4
• Road to Nashville, 1
• The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, 4
• The Johnny cash Show, 4
• The Porter Wagoner Show, 4
• The Wilburn Brothers Show, 4
• Western Caravan, 4

1-Film, 2-Night Club, 3-Radio, 4-TV

Billboard Chart Data 

• No. 1 Singles: 16
• Top-10 Singles: 47
• Crossover Singles: 10
• Charted Singles: 93
• Chart Years Active: (1952-1983)

Awards 

Country Music Association 

Country Music Hall of Fame 1982

Billboard Top-10 Singles

1. I'll Go On Alone* -1952
2.  I Couldn't Keep From Crying -1953
3. That's All Right -1955
4. Maybelline
5. Singing The Blues*#1 -1956
6. I Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far)
7. Knee Deep In The Blues -1957
8. A White Sport Coat*#
9. The Story Of My Life*#
10. Just Married*# -1958
11. Stairway of Love
12. She Was Only Seventeen#
13. El Paso*# -1959
14. Big Iron# -1960
15. Don't Worry*# -1961
16. It's Your World
17. Devil Woman*# -1962
18. Ruby Ann*#
19. Begging To Yo* -1963
20. The Cowboy In The Continental Suit -1964
21. One of These Days
22. Ribbon Of Darkness* -1965
23. The Shoe Goes On The Other Foot..1966
24. Tonight Carmen* -1967
25. Gardenias in Her Hair
26. Love Is in the Air -1968
27. I Walk Alone*
28. It's A Sin -1969
29. I Can't Say Goodbye
30. Camelia
31. My Woman, My Woman, My Wife* -1970
32. Jolie Girl
33. Padre
34. The Chair -1971
35. Early Morning Sunshine
36. The Best Part of Living -1972
37. Walking Piece of Heaven -1973
38. Love Me
39. Twentieth Century Drifer -1974
40. El Paso City*
41. Among My Souvenirs* -1976
42. Adios Amigo -1977
43.  I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)
44. Don't Let Me Touch You
45. Return to Me -1978
46. Some Memories Just Won't Die -1982
47. Honkytonk Man

*-No. 1 Single

#-Crossover Single

1-Biggest Single  

Listen to  Ribbon of Darkness

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Devil Woman: The Marty Robbins Story 

Marty Robbins was a  singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. One of the most popular and successful country and western singers of his era. For most of his nearly four-decade career, Robbins was rarely far from the country music charts and several of his songs also became pop hits.

Marty Robbins was born in Glendale, Arizona. At seventeen, he joined the Navy and served until 1946. After his discharge, Robbins landed a singing job over KTYL (Mesa, AZ), where he formed a band, the K-Bar Cowboys.

He thereafter had his own television show on KPHO-TV in Phoenix, AZ. After Little Jimmy Dickens made a guest appearance on Robbins' TV show, Dickens got Robbins a record deal with Columbia Records.

In 1953, Robbins joined the WSM Grand Ole Opry and penned a Columbia Records recording contract. Throughout his career, he recorded over 300 songs, many of which he wrote. Most famous among these were Singing the Blues, White Sport Coat, Long Tall Sally, The Story of My Life, You Don't Owe Me a Thing, The Hanging Tree and Just Married.

In addition to singing, Robbins invaded Hollywood with success. His flicks include Road to Nashville, The Gun and the Gavel, Guns of a Stranger, Hell on Wheels and Badge of Marshall Brennen.

Robbins was an avid race car driver, competing in 35 career NASCAR races with six top-10 finishes, including the 1973 Daytona 500. In 1967, Robbins played himself in the car racing film Hell on Wheels.

Robbins was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. He died two months after his hall of fame induction.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marty Robbins Discography (1951-1982), Partial Listing 

Nov. 14, 1951

Hollywood, California 

Producer: Art Satherley 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Floyd Lanning, Johnny Bond (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Tex Atchison (fiddle), Bill Callahan (bass guitar).

• Tomorrow You'll Be Gone

Jun. 3, 1952

Dallas, Texas

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Floyd Lanning (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Harold Carmack (piano), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), Slim Harbert (bass guitar)

• I'll Go On Alone

Nov. 26, 1952

Dallas, Texas

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Jimmy Rollins, Joe Knight (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Harold Carmack (piano), Johnny Gimble (fiddle), Slim Harbert (bass guitar)

• I Couldn't Keep From Crying

May 23, 1954

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Ray Edenton (vocal, guitar), Chet Atkins, Grady Martin, Louis Innis (guitar), Joe Vicent (steel guitar), Donald Slayman,(fiddle), Bob Moore (bass guitar)

• Pain and Misery

Dec. 7, 1954

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Ray Edenton (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Donald Slayman, Dale Potter (fiddle), Floyd Chance (bass guitar)

• That's All Right

Aug. 9, 1955

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Ray Edenton (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), James Roye Hall (piano), Donald Slayman (fiddle), Floyd Chance (bass guitar, Farris Coursey (drums)

• Maybellene

Nov. 3, 1955 

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Ray Edenton, Hillous Butrum (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Owen Bradley (piano), Floyd Chance (bass guitar, Farris Coursey (drums)

• Tennessee Toddy
• I Can't Quit
• Singing the Blues

Mar. 13, 1956

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Hillous Butrum, Hank Garland  (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Grover Lavender (fiddle), Floyd Chance (bass guitar), Jimmy Gossett (drums)

• Mister Teardrop

Sep. 4, 1956

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Hillous Butrum, Jack Pruett (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Grover Lavender (fiddle), Floyd Chance (bass guitar)

• Knee Deep In the Blues

Jan. 25, 1957

New York, New York

Producer: Mitch Miller

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Billy Mure, Al Caiola (guitar), Dick Hyman (piano), Frank Carroll (bass guitar), Ed Shaughness (drums), Ray Conniff (leader)

• A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)

Jul. 22, 1957

New York, New York

Producer: Mitch Miller

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Billy Mure, Al Caiola, D. Perri (guitar), A. Ackers (piano), Frank Carroll (bass guitar), Ed Shaughness (drums), Ray Conniff (leader)

• She Was Only Sixteen (He Was One Year More)

Jul. 22, 1957

New York, New York

Producer: Mitch Miller

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Billy Mure, Al Caiola, D. Perri (guitar), A. Ackers (piano), Frank Carroll (bass guitar), Ed Shaughness (drums), Ray Conniff (leader)

• The Story of My Life

Feb. 26, 1958

New York, New York

Producer: Mitch Miller

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Billy Mure, Tony Mottola, Don Arnone(guitar), Frank Carroll (bass guitar), Ed Shaughness (drums), Ray Conniff (leader)

• Just Married
• Ain't I the Lucky One

Mar. 6, 1958

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Hillous Butrum, Jack Pruett (guitar), James Farmer (steel guitar), Marvin Hughes (piano), Floyd Chance (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Kaw Liga

Oct. 11, 1958

Hollywood, California

Producer: Don Law 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Bill Pitman, Hilmer J. Timbrell, Trefoni Rizzi, Allan Reuss (guitar), Philip Stephens (bass guitar), Ted Romersa (drums), Si Zentner (trombone), Ray Conniff (leader)

• The Hanging Tree

Apr. 7, 1959

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Bob Moore (bass guitar)

• El Paso
• Big Iron

Apr. 7, 1959

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Louis Dunn (fiddle), Bob Moore (bass guitar)

• Cool Water

Mar. 8, 1960

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Joe Zinkan (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Song of the Bandit

Jul. 12, 1960

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Floyd Cramer (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Don't Worry

May 31, 1961

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Joe Zinkan (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Unchained Melody

Jun. 6, 1961

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Hank Garland, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• A Little Sentmental

Feb. 7, 1962

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, Grover Lavender  (guitar), Jerry Byrd (steel guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Beyond the Reef

Feb. 8, 1962

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Jerry Byrd (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Yours (Quiereme Mucho)

Mar. 8, 1962

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Jerry Byrd (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• September In the Rain
• All the Way

Apr. 10, 1962

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Jerry Byrd (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Devil Woman
• Ruby Ann

Jun. 27, 1962

Nashville, Tenneessee 

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• San Angelo

Jan. 7, 1963

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Henry Strzelecki (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Smokin' Cigarettes and Drinkin' Coffee Blues 

Feb. 27, 1963 

Nashville, Tenneessee  

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones  

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Henry Strzelecki (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums) 

• Man Walks Among Us 

Apr. 11, 1963

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin (guitar), Jerry Byrd (steel guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• The Hawaiian Wedding Song

Aug. 7, 1963 

Nashville, Tenneessee  

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones  

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar) 

• Beautiful Dreamer 

Sep. 10, 1963 

Nashville, Tenneessee 

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett (guitar), Jerry Byrd (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums) 

• Begging to You 

Apr. 7, 1964 

Nashville, Tenneessee 

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, Jerry Kennedy (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• I'm Gonna Be A Cowboy

Mar. 2, 1965

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, guitar), Ray Edenton, Jack Pruett (guitar), Joe Zinkan (bass guitar), Louis Dunn (drums)

• Ribbon of Darkness

Mar. 15, 1966

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Don Law & Frank Jones

• Feleena (From El Paso)

Dec. 29, 1966

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

• Hello Heartache

Apr. 12, 1967

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

• Tonight Carmen

Jul. 1, 1968

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal, piano), Bill Pursell (organ)

• I Walk Alone

Feb. 18, 1969

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

• You gave Me A Mountain

Apr. 2, 1969

Nashville, Tenneessee 

Producer: Bob Johnston

• (Ghost) Riders In the Sky

Jan. 2, 1970

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Johnston

Arranged by Bill Walker

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal), Ray Edenton, Jack Pruett, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Shook, Pete Wade (guitar), Bill Pursell, Norbert Putnam (bass guitar), Richard Morris (vibes, marimbas, bells)

• My Woman, My Woman, My Wife

Feb. 16, 1976 

Nashville, Tenneessee 

Producer: Billy Sherrill 

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal), Grady Martin, Jack Pruett, George Richey (guitar), Henry Strzelecki (bass guitar)

• El Paso City

May 20, 1976

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Billy Sherrill

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal), Grady Martin, Tommy Allsup (guitar), Buddy Emmons (steel guitar), Larry Butler (keyboards), Buddy Spicher (fiddle), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Jerry carrigan (drums) 

• Among My Souvenirs

Sep. 29, 1977

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Billy Sherrill

Session Personnel: Marty Robbins (vocal), Tommy Allsup, Pete Wade, Billy Sanford (guitar), Pete Drake (steel guitar), Hargus Pig Robbins (piano), Bob Moore (bass guitar), Kenny Malone (drums) 

• Return to Me

Feb. 2, 1982

Nashville, Tenneessee

Producer: Bob Montgomery

• Some Memories Just Won't Die

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, compiled and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music. Oct. 15, 2011.