ABOUT MARTY
Marty was born and raised in Medford, Oregon, and spent his time horseback in the hills around the Rogue Valley. He graduated from Medford Senior High and attended Southern Oregon University. No one in Marty's family had any musical inclination but when some of his buddies formed a band, he found himself as the band's lead (and only) singer. He left his studies at SOU to become a disc jockey at the local Country radio station, while still continuing to sing and play in the band. He attended lots dances where The Maddox Brothers and Rose were playing, became friends with Rose's son, Donny, and soon became the leader of Rose's band, working The Golden Nugget Casino in Las Vegas which was the “place to be” for Country entertainment at the time. In no time at all, Marty was headlining, not only at the Golden Nugget, but many of the other Nevada casinos as well. Then on to night clubs, fairs and rodeos across the country with his 7 piece band (3 fiddles, 2 guitar, bass, drums) - all dressed in matching outfits made by the world famous Nudie's Rodeo Tailors.
Between performances, Marty and his wife, Kate, lived in Medford, Oregon on 100 acres over-run with kids and animals. The family was all heavily involved in FFA and High School Rodeo – the boys even raised rodeo stock! Marty wanted to spend more time doing that and less time on the road so he joined the legendary Fifties group, The Diamonds, as the bass singer. Since all he had to do with them was to take his trumpet and his voice, he hoped he'd have more time at home. After several years he realized that they were on the road even more than he'd been!
His company, Bear Creek Productions, created various in-flight magazines, film documentaries and television infomercials. Marty (and Miss Hawaii USA) co-hosted Hawaii's Cookin', a thirteen-week family television series shown on national television channels as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Marty continued to perform occasional Nevada casinos and some fairs.
When the kids left home, Marty decided to return to music full-time but the idea of going back to having a huge band and performing in clubs and casinos was just NOT his “thing” anymore. The obvious choice was to return to the fairs, rodeos, theaters and corporate events sometimes as a single act, duo or trio. For special occasions, he still gets the entire band back together for a really rousing event.
So, happily, Marty is back doing what he loves best – entertaining people with great Western Music and Classic Country...plus working horses with son, Bret, several months a year.
FAMILY INFO...
Bret was a PRCA bull rider, attended college in Fallon, Nevada and now trains world-class Quarter Horses. He and his wife, Amy live in Woodward, Oklahoma with their children, Hoyt, Mia and Twist.
Greg was also a bull rider, graduated from Oregon State University and lives in Woodward, Oklahoma, working in the oil business.
Daughter, Kelsay and her husband, Ben, are geologists, rock climbers, and are currently writing a book on rock climbing. They own Stanton Geological and Stanton Land Solutions consulting businesses. They live in Seattle, Washington, while Kelsay completes her doctorate.
Marty and Kate still have a home in Medford, Oregon
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