Kay Martin Explained

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

Albums

• "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

• "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

• Kay Martin and Her Body Guards at Last.FM http://www.last.fm/music/Kay+Martin+and+Her+Bodyguards
• Roulette Records discography https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015124/http://www.bsnpubs.com/roulette/roulettea.html
• Kay Martin Lodge https://web.archive.org/web/20080920015707/http://realtravel.com/h-188549-reno_hotel-kay_martin_lodge

Notes and References

1. Kay Martin & Her Body Guards Rear Album Cover
2. Web site: Kay Martin and Her Bodyguards – Kay Martin at the Lorelei (1960, Vinyl). Discogs. 1960 .
3. Web site: 365 Days #120 - Kay Martin - at Las Vegas (Mp3s).
4. Web site: Business Profile for Kay Martin Lodge . Better Business Bureau . October 7, 2022.
5. Web site: Roulette Album Discography . www.bsnpubs.com . 14 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117015124/http://www.bsnpubs.com/roulette/roulettea.html . 17 November 2015 . dead.
6. Web site: 365 Days #120 - Kay Martin - at Las Vegas (Mp3s) .