Dude Martin

Dude Martin was born on his father's cattle ranch near Plainsburg, California March 21, 1915- Died 1991. As a child he learned how to play his father's banjo and by the age of 15 playing that instrument and competing in rodeos were Martin's favorite pursuits. It was in high school that he started a band, The Nevada Nightherders, in order to take part in a school show. The band continued to play as an act after the school show and before they knew it, they were offered a slot on KLX in Oakland. By 1939 the band had increased to ten members and was known as 'Dude Martin's Roundup Gang.' At this point they moved over to KYA in San Francisco where they performed for approximately ten years. In 1949 Martin decided to make the transition to television and for two years starred on KGO's 'The Dude Martin Show.' In the early '50s he moved to Los Angeles and re-started his TV show on KTTV (where he would also become station Program Director for a period). After he recorded for RCA Victor, Martin cut sides for Mercury including Pistol Boogie, Tennessee Wedding, I Was Sorta Wonderin', Mosey On, Strange Little Girl and I've Turned A Gadabout. In addition to recording and performing, Martin was a talent scout and manager. He helped guide the early careers of singers Guy Mitchell, Rusty Draper and Sue Thompson. Martin earned his nickname 'Dude' from his habit of dressing in the finest western garb money could buy. One of his early PR biographies claims that the singer had a wardrobe valued at $15,000, including 18 pairs of hand-made boots and 27 Stetson hats. A book is available "The Dude Martin Band Story" see; http://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=1412049423/summary.html&client=sfpl&upc=&oclc=ocm62085917+&type=rn12