Song:Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland
Album:The Victory Collection
Big band leader Freddy Martin started out in the 30s but he had most of his success in the 40s with WWII songs like Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland and also adapting classical compositions. He was born Dec. 9, 1906 in Cleveland. He was raised in an orphanage. Martin learned to play drums and then switched to the sax. After graduating high school, Martin took a sales job with the H.N. White musical instrument company. Of course this gave him an excuse to go see his favorite bands which hopefully would lead to a gig. One of those was Guy Lombardo who liked Martin's band and gave him gigs that he couldn't do. Though Martin first recorded in 1932, he didn't have any success until he signed with RCA's Bluebird label in 1938. He also appeared frequently on radio. Martin started to have success by adapting classical pieces. He added lyrics to Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto in B Flat Minor and Tonight My Love was Martin's biggest hit in 1941. Clyde Rogers was the singer for that and he worked for Martin through WWII. By this time Martin moved to Los Angeles and appeared in films like What's Buzzin' Cousin? and Stage Door Canteen. Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland was was written by Al Goodhart and Kay Twomey. Goodhart wrote I Apologize for Bing Crosby. Twomey's best known song was Wooden Heart which Elvis Presley sang in the 1960 film G.I. Blues. It was also a #1 hit for Joe Dowell in 1961. In the 40s, the same song was recorded by several bands and they competed for record sales. Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland was a top ten hit for Kay Kyser and Guy Lombardo. Martin's recording reached #16. You can get it on this 3CD budget comp that combines music of the era with WWII history. It was produced by the Smithsonian and RCA Records. Martin's band continued after WWII with Merv Griffin as his main singer. Martin appeared on TV and in the 70s he toured with Big Band Cavalcade. Freddy Martin died on Sept. 30, 1983 at age 76. Here's a video of Johnny Doughboy Found A Rose In Ireland by Freddy Martin and his Orchestra featuring Clyde Rogers.
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