Marty Robbins's story is the classic rags-to-riches tale of a child whose family (he had eight siblings) was abandoned by his abusive, alcoholic father, and whose early years--some spent living in a tent, later upgraded to a shack--were marked by grinding poverty. His journey from these humble beginnings to a life as one of the most successful artists in country music is charted in Barbara J. Pruett's MARTY ROBBINS: FAST CARS AND COUNTRY MUSIC, an entertaining and revealing collection of interviews and articles, plus a chronological discography. Robbins was arguably headed for a life of crime until joining the US Navy in 1943; there he learned to play guitar and discovered a facility for songwriting. A remarkably eclectic artist who recorded and wrote country, pop, and rock-&-roll songs, Robbins later branched out into acting roles in movies and on TV, as well as starting his own record label and talent agency. Pruett's chronicle of Robbins's life--which includes tales of his hobby of stock car racing, which involved him in several near-fatal accidents--incorporates recollections from family, friends, and business colleagues to reveal a quiet yet driven and energetic performer, immensely popular both with his audience and among his peers. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.