'Happy Tex' Martin(1918-2009)
- Actor
Marty Roberts born Martin Robert Schopp in Chenoa, Illinois, he graduated from high school in 1935. Marty got an early start in the radio business when he appeared on WDZ Illinois as a sophomore in high school.
During his long career, Roberts played in several bands and appeared on many radio stations such as: WBT, Charlotte, N. C, 1938-41, with Tenn. Ramblers; WJJD, Chicago, 1941-2; WDZ, Tuscola, 1947-51; WCKY, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1951-8; WDZ, Decatur, 1958. While playing in a club in North Carolina, he became a member of the Tennessee Ramblers based out of North Carolina.
The Ramblers appeared regularly on WBT in Charlotte playing their American Country and Western swing music. The band had a recording contract with Bluebird records and appeared in several Hollywood singing cowboy feature films, Ride Ranger, Ride (1936), Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge (1937) and Ridin' the Cherokee Trail (1941).
Roberts' movie career was abruptly interrupted by the onset of WWII. Marty served in the Army as a staff Sergeant during his deployment in Europe. Upon his return to the states after the war, Marty returned to his musical roots at WDZ in Illinois. He would later become a featured DJ on the station before moving to Cincinnati Ohio to join up with Nelson King on WCKY in 1951. He co-hosted the Hillbilly Jamboree with King and conducted the house band, "The Night Riders."
Roberts authored and sang several country western tunes on Coral, Arc, and Flame record companies. Marty would achieve the honor of being in the Billboard magazine's top 5 "Country and Western Disc Jockeys of the year" for 1951 through 1955.
Roberts also wrote several country and western tunes during his early years in the music business. Marty co-wrote a top ten hit for Wanda Jackson titled, "You Can't Have My Love" released for Decca Records May 1954.
Roberts finished his radio and entertainment career in Illinois on various radio stations as well as hosting "Marty's Dance Party" which was a live teen dance show produced by his wife Mary. The television show ran on WTVP in Decatur and WICS in Springfield Illinois during the 1960's. He continued to DJ on various radio stations in central Illinois for several years while taking his band on the road throughout the Midwest before retiring to a life of golf and relaxation in his home town of Chenoa Illinois.
During his long career, Roberts played in several bands and appeared on many radio stations such as: WBT, Charlotte, N. C, 1938-41, with Tenn. Ramblers; WJJD, Chicago, 1941-2; WDZ, Tuscola, 1947-51; WCKY, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1951-8; WDZ, Decatur, 1958. While playing in a club in North Carolina, he became a member of the Tennessee Ramblers based out of North Carolina.
The Ramblers appeared regularly on WBT in Charlotte playing their American Country and Western swing music. The band had a recording contract with Bluebird records and appeared in several Hollywood singing cowboy feature films, Ride Ranger, Ride (1936), Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge (1937) and Ridin' the Cherokee Trail (1941).
Roberts' movie career was abruptly interrupted by the onset of WWII. Marty served in the Army as a staff Sergeant during his deployment in Europe. Upon his return to the states after the war, Marty returned to his musical roots at WDZ in Illinois. He would later become a featured DJ on the station before moving to Cincinnati Ohio to join up with Nelson King on WCKY in 1951. He co-hosted the Hillbilly Jamboree with King and conducted the house band, "The Night Riders."
Roberts authored and sang several country western tunes on Coral, Arc, and Flame record companies. Marty would achieve the honor of being in the Billboard magazine's top 5 "Country and Western Disc Jockeys of the year" for 1951 through 1955.
Roberts also wrote several country and western tunes during his early years in the music business. Marty co-wrote a top ten hit for Wanda Jackson titled, "You Can't Have My Love" released for Decca Records May 1954.
Roberts finished his radio and entertainment career in Illinois on various radio stations as well as hosting "Marty's Dance Party" which was a live teen dance show produced by his wife Mary. The television show ran on WTVP in Decatur and WICS in Springfield Illinois during the 1960's. He continued to DJ on various radio stations in central Illinois for several years while taking his band on the road throughout the Midwest before retiring to a life of golf and relaxation in his home town of Chenoa Illinois.
