Apr 10
Hall of Fame’s Marty Robbins exhibit will close June 9, 2008
Nashville, Tenn., April 9, 2008—The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is preparing to dim the lights on Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs, Presented By Great American Country Television Network, which opened in the Museum’s East Gallery on August 3, 2007. In anticipation of the exhibit’s June 9 denouement, the Museum is offering a packed May/June lineup of Robbins-themed programs including a tribute concert featuring Jesse Lee Jones & Brazilbilly with Ronny Robbins on Saturday, May 10; a country costuming program for kids featuring Katy K on Saturday, May 24; a series of film screenings and more.
Marty Robbins’ music touched many lives – none more so than that of his son, Ronny Robbins, who pursued a musical career before devoting himself to the management of his late father’s estate. On Saturday, May 10, Ronny Robbins will join Jesse Lee Jones and Jones’ band, Brazilbilly, for a special concert celebrating the music of Marty Robbins. The program, which begins at 2 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater, will also include an interview with Ronny Robbins and Jones. It is included with museum admission and free to museum members.
Ronny Robbins was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved with his family to Nashville in 1953, when his father became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ronny shared his father’s love of singing, auto racing and the Old West. He toured with his father and did some recording in the 1970s and ’80s, and he appeared in films including the Marty Robbins western Guns of a Stranger. Ronny Robbins now oversees Marty Robbins Enterprises, and he worked closely with Museum Curator Mick Buck to develop Among My Souvenirs.
Brazilbilly founder Jesse Lee Jones was born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil. He began performing in his teens and in 1984, at the age of 21, moved to the United States to pursue a music career. After experimenting with many different musical styles, Jones realized his first love was traditional country music, and in 1994 he moved to Nashville. Upon discovering Marty Robbins’ recordings, many of which had a Latin flavor, Jones fell in love with the Hall of Fame member’s music; Robbins quickly became Jones’ greatest influence. In 1995, Jones began playing at Robert’s Western World, opening for BR-549. The band nicknamed him the “Brazilian Hillbilly,” which was soon shortened to “Brazilbilly.” The latter moniker became the name of Jones’ band. Brazilbilly succeeded BR-549 as the house band at Robert’s Western World in 1998, and continues to entertain Music City audiences every weekend with its “traditional country music with a Latin flair.”
A complete list of closing programs presented in conjunction with the Among My Souvenirs exhibition follows below:
Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs, Presented by Great American Country Television Network May/June Programs
Sunday, May 4 - All Day
Film Loop: Country Style USA hosted by Marty Robbins (1959)
Owen and Harold Bradley, veteran music business figures and members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, developed and filmed Country Style USA in their Music Row studio, the Quonset Hut, starting in 1958. The U.S. Army Recruiting Service sponsored and syndicated these 15-minute programs that showcased many of the great country acts of the day. These two episodes feature Marty Robbins with guest appearances by Joyce Paul and the Anita Kerr Singers. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 30 minutes. Free.
Friday, May 9 - 1:00 p.m.
Curator’s Exhibit Tour
A museum curator offers a guided tour of Among My Souvenirs. Approximately 60 minutes. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.
Saturday, May 10 - 2:00 p.m.
Concert: The Music of Marty Robbins featuring Jesse Lee Jones & Brazilbilly with Ronny Robbins
Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.
Sunday, May 11 - All Day
Film Loop: The Drifter (1965) featuring Marty Robbins with special guests Jerry Byrd and Tex Ritter
Marty Robbins credited Gene Autry as a major influence on his life and career. From western-themed country songs and cowboy ballads like “El Paso” and “Big Iron” to western films likeThe Badge of Marshal Brennan (1957) and Ballad of a Gunfighter (1964), Robbins’ admiration for Autry was evident throughout his career. In 1965-66, Marty produced and created the television show The Drifter with a concept not unlike a Gene Autry movie in short form. Shot in black and white, the series starred Marty as the Drifter, a roaming cowboy whose travels took him from one musical adventure to another in each episode. This film loop includes two episodes, “Songs from the Islands” featuring special guest Jerry Byrd, and “General Store” featuring special guest Tex Ritter. Don Winters and Bobby Sykes sing harmonies with Robbins. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Free.
Sunday, May 18 - All Day
Film Loop: Best of the Marty Robbins Show (1968-69)
From the mid-1950s through the late 1970s, Marty Robbins was either the star or host of four television series. Originally broadcast in 1968-69, The Marty Robbins Show featured Marty with his band and highlighted the range of his repertoire. This film loop is a collection of Marty’s performances from the series, as gathered by Marty Robbins Enterprises in 1992. Two 60-minute films will loop continuously. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 120 minutes. Free.
Saturday, May 24 - 1:00 p.m.
Family Program: Country Costuming with Katy K
Marty Robbins was known for his elaborate and colorful stage clothing. In this hands-on workshop, Katy K, nationally recognized western-wear designer and owner of the Nashville boutique Katy K’s Ranch Dressing, will discuss Robbins’ sense of style. Participants will design their own country costumes on paper using fabric swatches, collage, glitter and sequins. Ages 5 to 15. Space is limited. Reservations required at 615-416-2001. Free.
Sunday, May 25 - All Day
Film Loop: Marty Robbins’ Spotlight (1977) with special guests Brenda Lee and Porter Wagoner
In 1977, Marty Robbins hosted his own syndicated television series, Marty Robbins’ Spotlight. On air for only one year, the show featured Robbins with special guests in casual dialogue and performance. This screening includes two 30-minute episodes and features special guests Brenda Lee and Porter Wagoner. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Loop will run all day except from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Free.
Sunday, May 25 - 2:00 p.m.
Film Screening: Tribute: Grand Ole Opry Stars of the Fifties hosted by Marty Robbins (1954-55)
Tribute: Grand Ole Opry Stars of the Fifties is a collection of performances recorded in the mid-1950s under the title Stars of the Grand Ole Opry. The original program was a collaboration between Chicago-based TV and movie producer Albert Gannaway and the Grand Ole Opry. Gannaway is recognized as one of thefirst to film live country music performances. Shot in 35 mm Technicolor, Stars of the Grand Ole Opry was a 30-minute program syndicated for broadcast on television beginning in 1955. The program featured different country acts and a rotating cast of Opry stars as the show’s host. In this screening, Marty Robbins hosts with performances by Little Jimmy Dickens, Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells and others. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total screening time is 60 minutes. Free.
Sunday, June 1 - All Day
Film Loop: Marty Robbins’ Spotlight (1977) with special guests Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Paycheck
This screening includes two 30-minute episodes. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is 60 minutes. Free.
Sunday, June 8 - All Day
Film Loop: The Midnight Special “Country Edition” (1973) hosted by Marty Robbins and Loretta Lynn
The legendary musical television series The Midnight Special captured live performances of some of popular music’s biggest icons during its tenure on NBC. Airing weekly from 1973 to 1981, the show featured a diverse line-up of talent, from Steely Dan to the Shirelles to Electric Light Orchestra to the Raspberries. In 1973, Marty Robbins and Loretta Lynn co-hosted The Midnight Special “Country Edition,” which included performances by Lynn and Robbins, as well as Don Gibson, Tom T. Hall, George Jones, the Earl Scruggs Revue, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette and more. Film footage is from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Total loop time is approximately 70 minutes. Free.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com.
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