Dobby Dobson makes it 'Simply Myrna'

Fresh from a sold-out concert in Toronto with music contemporaries Boris Gardiner and Pluto Shervington, legendary crooner Dobby Dobson, known for his sentimental lyrics which pull at the heartstrings, is all set to fly in from his home base in Florida, as special guest performer of internationally renowned jazz singer Myrna Hague.

Dobson will be performing in Hague's second annual cabaret show Simply Myrna. The highly acclaimed event will return to the Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston, tomorrow, starting with cocktails at 7 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Having been missing from the local stage for some time, Dobson said, "I am really excited and filled with mixed emotions as I remember the lines from some of the songs which endeared me to many Jamaicans, such as Wonderful Sound, one of my prior hits. I hope to reignite a tiny spark and try to transport them to that place long ago when things were beautiful and there was lots of love in the air."

Dobson says he is honoured to be Myrna's special guest and recalls their occasional jaunts at Studio One as youngsters. "I was always impressed by her lovely and outstanding voice and remember one song in particular that she used to sing, titled What About Me?" he said.

Dobby Dobson, born Highland Ralph Dobson, began his singing

career in the early 1950s while attending Central Branch School in Kingston. While there, he also displayed extraordinary acting talent and at eight years old was selected to play the lead role in a production of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. He brought the house down at the Ward Theatre when he belted out the line "Do you think that it is easy to be poor?"

Playing alongside Dobson as his onstage wife was Jamaica-born actress the late Madge Sinclair, who was in the popular American TV series Trapper John M.D.

Approaching his teen years, Dobson competed in the Opportunity Hour hosted by talent scout, the late Vere Johns, as a member of a group called The Twilights. While at Kingston College, he composed his first song, Cry A Little Cry, and recorded it with his friends Howard Barrett, Fuzzy Byfield and Dennis Gayle. They were all KC students calling themselves Dobby and The Deltas. Dobby and Chuck Josephs (known as Dobby and Chuck) went on to record a series of popular songs in quick succession, namely Sweeter than Honey, Du Du Wap, Cool School, I Love My Teacher and Oh Fanny.

As a result of his growing popularity, the gifted songwriter, producer and actor went on to pursue a solo career in the 1960s, recording a string of hits such as Loving Pauper, produced by Trouble Jim (Duke Reid); Seems To Me I'm Losing and Ride Mi Donkey (Sir Clement 'Coxson' Dodd); and Wonderful Sound, Muriel, and Oh Donna (Federal Records).

When he wasn't composing and singing, Dobson was busy producing music. He is credited with producing Barrington Levy's first single, Fi Mi Black Girl, The Meditations' first and second albums and his own best-selling album, History for Lovers.

Migration

In 1972, Dobson migrated to New York, USA, where he continued to record chart-topping records, including Mexican Divorce, Harry Hippie, Can I Trust You, Hide Under The Bed and a brand-new version of Loving Pauper. He also recorded a number-one song, Words, for Donovan Germaine's Penthouse Label.

Upon the death of his mother in 2000, Dobson went through a life-changing experience and became a born-again Christian. After turning his life over to God, Dobson released his first gospel album, the self-penned Those Days are Gone, followed by Tomorrow and a third You Raise Me Up.

Despite his transformation, Dobson still sings the secular songs for which he is famous, while also performing at gospel events throughout the world.

Dobson has had the privilege of performing with luminaries such as Fats Domino, Chuck Jackson, Ben E. King, Percy Sledge, Skeeter Davis, Melba Moore, The Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, The Stylistics, Dorothy Moore, The Manhattans and Billy Paul.

Recently, he has authored a book entitled The Misadventure of Saucy and Her Mama and hopes to entice a local playwright to turn it into a play.

Patrons attending Simply Myrna will also see a guest appearance by the colourful Cari-Folk Singers. The accompanying orchestra is the Jamaica Big Band, featuring Marjorie Whylie and ace drummer Desi Jones. Musical director for the show is Ralph Holding Jr, who has written newly arranged songs for Hague.

Part proceeds from the show will go towards the Sonny Bradshaw Foundation.