Kay Martin

This article is about the hotelier and singer. For the technologist, see Kay Martin (technologist).

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
• Roulette Records discography
• Kay Martin Lodge