It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marty Robbins, beloved singer and songwriter, on December 8, 1982. Marty was born Martin David Robinson on September 26, 1925, in Glendale, Arizona and showed an early interest in music and the arts. After serving in the US Navy during World War II, Marty released his first album in 1952 that appeared on the Billboard Top Ten Country chart and began a professional career that would span two decades. Marty's best-known songs include "El Paso", which garnered him a Grammy Award for Best Country and Western Recording and became an international hit in 1960, and "Big Iron", which featured on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959. He scored a total of 59 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and countless other singles and songs. Marty was highly respected within the world of country music, and his dedication to preserving and promoting traditional country music was integral in helping the genre reach a wider audience. In addition to his musical career, Marty was a professional race car driver for a brief period, and sang the national anthem before a 1982 Sprint Cup Series race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Marty Robbins died at the age of 57, and is survived by his wife Marizona, their two sons, and daughters. His music and legacy will continue to live on.