Carl Dobkins, Jr.

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Carl Dobkins, Jr. (born January 13, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American singer best known for his 1959 hit "My Heart is an Open Book" that went to #3 on the Billboard charts. The Seniors, including Keith Ross, Paul Powers, Harry Clifton,and others through their career would work with Carl as backup in the early days. The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The Seniors sang together for approximately 8 years. Dobkins and the Seniors were promoted by Gil Sheppard, a local Cincinnati disc jockey, who noted the young singer's early high school compositions and a two song demo. This led to a contract with Fraternity Records, then King Records (USA), and when Sheppard sent the master recording to Decca Records, Dobkins recorded sessions for Decca in Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959. Dobkins featured frequently at Castle Farms, and on television for the Bob Braun Show (WLW-T, Cincinnati), and also nationally fourteen times as a guest on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. He still lives in Cincinnati and performs upon individual request.

Carl Dobkins' contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

[edit] Discography

Fraternity F-794 Jan 1958 "Take Hold Of My Hand"/"That's Why I'm Asking"

Decc 9-30656 May 1958 "If You Don't Want My Lovin'"/"Love is Everything"

Decca ED 2664 Aug 1959 "If You Don't Want My Lovin'"/"Love is Everything"/"My Heart Is An Open Book"/"My Pledge to You"

Decca 9-31088 Apr 1960 "One Little Girl"

[edit] External Links

[1], Dobkin's page at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame