Carl Dobkins Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl Dobkins Jr.
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Dobkins in 1969
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carl Edward Dobkins |
| Born | January 13, 1941 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | April 8, 2020 (aged 79) |
| Genres | Traditional pop, country, rockabilly |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1957–2020 |
| Labels | Fraternity, Decca, Atco, Colpix, Chalet |
Carl Edward Dobkins Jr. (born January 13, 1941 – died April 8, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for his 1959 hit song, "My Heart Is an Open Book". This song reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. It sold over one million copies, earning him a special "gold disc" award.
Life and Music Career
Carl Dobkins Jr. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family loved music, and he learned to play the ukulele and guitar when he was young. As a teenager, he started writing his own songs and singing at local events.
Carl had a backup singing group called The Seniors. They met at a church in Cincinnati and sang together for about eight years. A local radio DJ named Gil Sheppard helped Carl and The Seniors. He noticed Carl's early songs and a demo record. This led to a recording contract with Fraternity Records.
After recording a song called "If You Don't Want My Lovin'", Carl signed with Decca Records. In 1959, he recorded "My Heart is an Open Book" in Nashville, Tennessee. This song became a huge hit, reaching number 3 on the pop charts. Later that year, "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" also became a hit, reaching number 67. Carl had two more songs that made it onto the Hot 100 chart: "Lucky Devil" in 1959 and "Exclusively Yours" in 1960. He also served in the United States Army Reserve for six months.
Carl Dobkins Jr. often performed at Castle Farms and on TV shows. He was a guest on Dick Clark's American Bandstand fourteen times. He also toured with famous singers like Bobby Vee, Frankie Avalon, and Jan & Dean. For many years, he continued to perform at oldies music festivals.
Carl was honored for his music. He was inducted into both the Cincinnati Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
His Family Life
Carl Dobkins Jr. went to Hughes High School and later graduated from Mt Healthy High School in 1959. In 1960, he married Janice Cox. They had two daughters, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Carl Dobkins Jr. passed away on April 8, 2020, at the age of 79.
Discography
Carl Dobkins Jr. released many songs during his career. Here are some of his notable records:
- Fraternity F-794 – January 1958 – "Take Hold of My Hand" / "That's Why I'm Asking"
- Decca 9-30656 – May 1958 – "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" / "Love is Everything" – US No. 67
- Decca 9-30803 – December 1958 – "My Heart Is an Open Book" / "My Pledge to You" – US No. 3
- Decca 9-31020 – November 1959 – "Lucky Devil" / "(There's a Little Song a-Singing) In My Heart" – US No. 25
- Brunswick 45-05817 – March 1960 – "Lucky Devil" / "(There's a Little Song a-Singing) In My Heart" – UK No. 44
- Decca 9-31088 - April 1960 - ""Exclusively Yours" / "One Little Girl" - US No. 62
See also
In Spanish: Carl Dobkins, Jr. para niños
