Celebrating life to its fullest, accomplished county music singer/songwriter Marty Robbins (1925-1982) was born Martin David Robinson on this day in Glendale, Arizona. Young Marty was inspired by his grandfather who told him Old West tales and the music of singer Gene Autry.

Robbins once said: "Talent is being able to please people."

Robbins discovered a passion for music while serving in the Navy during World War II. He soon became a successful club perfomer, then signed a recording contract and earned his own radio and television show. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1953.

With a career of over 30 years with the nickname of "Mr Teardrop," Robbins was an artist capable of singing standards, honky-tonk, gospel, pop, blues, and rockabilly with equal style and grace. Even his rendition of the Hawaiian standard Aloha Oe was memorable.

With songs including A White Sport Coat (1957) and Devil Woman (1962), he is best known for El Paso (1960), a nostalgic gunfighter tale that became a Number One pop and country hit and the first by a country artist to win a Grammy Award. Singer Frankie Laine scored a big hit with Robbins' autobiographical song, You Gave Me A Mountain in 1969.

An amazing stage performer, he was elected to the Nashville Songwriters' International Hall Of Fame in 1975 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. Robbins even found time to pursue an acting career and NASCAR racing, competing at the Nashville Speedway and Daytona 500.

"The great songs just come out. If it comes quick, just leave it that way," he said.

Every day matters.