For the first time, Willcox will be the host city for the annual tribute to Marty Robbins on Saturday, March 22.
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“I’m so happy we made the decision to move to Willcox — home of Rex Allen Sr. He and Marty were friends,” Buckley told the Range News. “The people of Willcox, Arizona, make us feel Marty Robbins was born here, the way they have welcomed his memory and accepted The Friends of Marty Robbins.”
This year’s tribute begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:30 p.m.
There will be two shows, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Willcox High School Auditorium on Bisbee Avenue.
The suggested donation for the 1 p.m. show is $3 for general and $5 for reserved seating.
For the 7 p.m. show, the suggested donation is $10 for general and $12 for reserved seating.
Singers scheduled to appear include Hada Tucker of Muldrow, Okla.; Jan Phillips of Taylorville, Ill.; Herb DeFreese of Springfield, Ill.; and Marvin Lee of Royal, Ill.
Arizona talent includes J.R. Garner of Marana; Denny Sarver, Lloyd Lovato, John Edmonson, Virgil Cole, and Lex Griggs, all of Glendale; Mark Mead and Sarah Mead of Mesa; Sandy Arrowood, Darlene Lewis, and Keith Watts of Phoenix; Michael O’Leary of Goodyear; and Ray Harrison of Pearce.
Tickets are on sale now, and those who pre-pay will be given a free Marty Robbins button, which can be, used for free admission to Karaoke and Marty Robbins movies at the Rex Allen Theater on Railroad Avenue.
“You will be the proud owner of a rare Marty Robbins collectible,” Buckley says. “Get your tickets now while these highly collectible buttons are still available.”
“Bulls and Barrels 2008” will be held at the Quail Park Arena in conjunction with the 17th annual tribute.
It starts at 5 p.m. “sharp.”
Tickets are $12 for a box seat; $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; and $4 for children under 12.
There will be T5 and V Heart Rodeo Bull Riding, with 45 riders expected. Owen Washburn and Craig Addy of the PBR will be there with “world class bulls,” as well as bullfighters Nate Reed and Luke Kraut with K4 Bucking Bulls.
There will be an open 4D barrel race with books and TOs from 9 a.m. to 10:30, and will run at 11 a.m. “sharp.”
Robbins was born Martin David Robinson in Glendale on Sept. 26, 1925.
He acquired his love of all things western from his maternal grandfather, and his love of music and performing from yet another legendary cowboy movie star, Gene Autry.
Robbins joined the Navy in 1943 and developed his interest in songwriting and learned to play the guitar while serving in the South Pacific.
Back in Arizona, he joined a local band and in 1947 was hired to sing at a Mesa radio station before moving to KPHO radio in Phoenix, where he starred on an hour-long show called “Chuck Wagon Time.”
Robbins soon entered the new world of television and for 15 minutes four times a week entertained on “Country Caravan” before being signed by CBS records in 1951 and recording “Singing the Blues,” “A White Sport Coat,” and his signature song “El Paso,” which is reportedly the first country song ever to win a Grammy Award.
His career soared until his first heart attack in 1969. He underwent a triple bypass, which was still considered experimental surgery at that time. While recovering, Robbins wrote the song that earned him his second Grammy Award — “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife,” in honor of his wife Marizona.
He was elected to the Nashville Songwriters International Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and even found time to pursue an acting career and NASCAR racing.
Robbins suffered a massive heart attack and died at 57 on Dec. 8, 1982.
“Our mission is to keep his memory and music alive in Arizona and the world. Most people know he put Glendale, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas, on the map all over the world. Willcox is right in the middle of the two cities,” Buckley told the Range News. “I feel being in Willcox, Marty Robbins has a new home.”
For advance tickets and further information, contact the Rex Allen Museum at (520) 384-4583.
Comments
Cesar wrote on Mar 22, 2008 5:29 AM: