Kay Martin was a hotelier and ex-model, nightclub entertainer, and "party album" singer, who owned the Kay Martin Lodge in Reno, Nevada.
Born in Bakersfield, California and part Cherokee Indian,[1] modeling saw her featured in both Adam and Playboy magazines. She then met Jess Hotchkiss and Bill Elliott, who together established a nightclub act circa 1952,[1] billing themselves as "Kay Martin and Her Body Guards". The group later added Tony Bellson on drums.[2] Martin was married to Hotchkiss for a time as well.[3]
In between shows they recorded several live albums, their most popular being the 1962 Christmas album I Know What He Wants For Christmas... But I Don't Know How To Wrap It!. The songs ranged from covers of traditional songs to double entendre and jokey banter.
Martin left performing for a business life, becoming the proprietor of the Kay Martin Lodge with David Mullins in 1956.[4]
Selected discography edit
Albums edit
- "Kay Martin and Her Body Guards" (Roulette Records) 1958[5]
- "Kay Martin At The Lorelei" (Dyna Records) 1960
- "I Know What He Wants For Christmas…But I Don't Know How to Wrap It!" (Fax Records) 1960
- "Kay Martin At Las Vegas" (Record Productions Inc.) 1962, reissued on (Laff Records) circa 1970[6]
- "Kay Martin Sings Naughty And Nice Songs" (Record Productions Inc.) 1965 compilation
Note: "Kay Martin At Las Vegas" is a reissue of the album "Kay Martin At The Lorelei" and over the years has been re-released several times on various labels and with different covers.
Singles edit
- "Fever" / "The Heel" / "Summertime" / "Johnny Guitar" (Electrola Records) Germany 1958 extended play
- "Take My Love" / "Ooh La-La" (Modern Sounds Records) 1958
- "I'm Gonna Set Fire To My House" / "I've Found Peace Of Mind" (Decca Records) 1959
- "Come By Sunday" / "No More Tears To Cry" (Unart Records) 1959
- "Fever" / "The Heel" / "Summertime" / "Johnny Guitar" (Roulette Records) Netherlands 1962 extended play
External links edit
References edit
- ^ a b Kay Martin & Her Body Guards Rear Album Cover
- ^ "Kay Martin and Her Bodyguards – Kay Martin at the Lorelei (1960, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1960.
- ^ "365 Days #120 - Kay Martin - at Las Vegas (Mp3s)".
- ^ "Business Profile for Kay Martin Lodge". Better Business Bureau. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "Roulette Album Discography". www.bsnpubs.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "365 Days #120 - Kay Martin - at Las Vegas (Mp3s)".
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