Marvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an America… Read Full Bio ↴Marvin Karlton Rainwater (July 2, 1925 – September 17, 2013) was an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman", a UK no.1 record. He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, to Stella (née Miller) and Cicero Percy Rainwater, and grew up during the Great Depression. As a child, instead of listening to the Grand Ole Opry with his father, he took classical piano lessons, which ended after he lost part of his right thumb to a work accident as a teenager. He originally trained to be a veterinarian, but after some time in the Navy during World War II took up the guitar.
He became fascinated with Roy Acuff and started playing and writing songs. With his brothers, he played concerts around Virginia. He sometimes wore a buckskin jacket and headband. Rising guitarist Roy Clark worked with Rainwater and together they cut a few demos for 4 Star Records. Pop singer Teresa Brewer turned one of his compositions, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby", into a big hit. Others were overdubbed and released on budget record labels.
Rainwater got his big break in the music business when he performed on Arthur Godfrey's programs. He won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on May 9, 1955. He had a regular role on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee for several years in Springfield, Missouri beginning in 1955. He signed with MGM Records and recorded a series of songs for the label, including peppy numbers like "Hot and Cold". Such songs were showcases for Rainwater's voice, and his energy and versatility led him to record rockabilly.
Rainwater was one of country's most noteworthy stars in the late 1950s, when his good looks and baritone voice made him popular. One of the first country songs he recorded was "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird", which he wrote. Released in 1957, the song became a big country-pop crossover hit, making Rainwater among the first country singers to appeal to a pop market. The song reached No. 3 on the country chart and 18 on the pop chart. It sold one million copies by 1957, and gave Rainwater his first gold record. During the song's success, Rainwater relocated to the New Jersey-New York area. "The Majesty of Love" (1957) was a duet with Connie Francis, which also sold over one million copies. His next single, "So You Think You Got Troubles", was a successful follow-up on the country charts, but not on the pop charts. His self-penned "Whole Lotta Woman" reached UK No. 1 for three weeks in April and May 1958. A second UK single, "I Dig You Baby", made No. 19 in June 1958. "Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You)" missed the UK Top Thirty chart, but returned him to the US Country chart.
Rainwater performed and toured throughout the rest of the 1950s. In 1959, he added three more gold records: "My Love Is Real", "My Brand Of Blues" and "Half Breed" (A cover version of a John D. Loudermilk song,) all sold in excess of one million records. In 1959, Rainwater recorded another Loudermilk song, "The Pale Faced Indian". His original version went unnoticed, but later efforts by Don Fardon and Paul Revere & The Raiders under the title "Indian Reservation" were hits. Marvin recorded a number of songs with his little sister Patty Rainwater who was almost 12 years his junior. They recorded songs like "Down In The Cellar" as well as some of Patty's compositions like "Because I'm A Dreamer" and "Two Fools In Love".
His voice began to give out, and he developed calluses on his vocal cords. As a result, Rainwater and MGM Records parted ways in 1960. He went into brief retirement to rest his voice and then recorded sporadically for Warwick Records (United Kingdom), although without any hits. In the 1960s, he recorded for a series of record labels including United Artists, Warner Bros. and Sonet; and started his own record company called Brave Records.
In the 1970s, Rainwater developed throat cancer, from which he slowly recovered, and moved to Aitkin, Minnesota. He appeared occasionally at rockabilly festivals in Europe and was still loved by many fans.
Rainwater was the 73rd inductee into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
He died of heart failure on September 17, 2013, in Minneapolis. Marvin had five children. Jimmy and Judi by his first wife Charline; Wade, Lora Lee and Barbie by his second wife Barbara.
Rainwater's song "Gamblin' Man" was covered by Mike Ness on his 1999 album, Under the Influences. "So You Think You've Got Troubles" was covered by Harry Nilsson, as evidenced on his 1966 Spotlight on Nilsson compilation album. "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" was covered by Petula Clark in 1957 and by Steve Young on his 1969 album, Rock Salt & Nails. "Hot and Cold" was featured on Bob Dylan's radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour.
Hey Good Lookin'
Marvin Rainwater Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Hey Good Lookin'' by these artists:
Ace Cannon Say hey, good lookin' whatcha got cookin'? How's about cooki…
Alan Jackson [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Alan Jackson - George Strait - Jimmy Buffett [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's…
Alan Jackson/Clint Black/George Strait/Jimmy Buffett/Kenny Chesney/Toby Keith [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Alan Jackson/George Strait/Jimmy Buffett [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's…
Blonde Tongues All I see is white and red that fades to pink and…
Bob Dylan Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'? How's about…
Boxcar Willie Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Carl Perkins Hey, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Conway Twitty Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? Hows about cookin' …
Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? How's about cookin'…
Countdown Nashville Say hey, good lookin' whatcha got cookin'? How's about cooki…
Daniel O'Donnell Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Dave Edmunds I can feel you slipping away from me A little…
David Houston & Tammy Wynette Hey hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin' how's about cookin'…
Dean Martin Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? How's about cookin'…
Dinah Washington Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Dogfight (Original Cast) Do do do do do do do Do do do do…
Drifting Cowboys Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'? How's about…
Eddy Arnold (Hey good lookin' hey good lookin') Hey hey good lookin' wh…
Ethel Merman When there's a sun above I always find Romantic thoughts of …
Faron Young Say hey good lookin' hey hey whatcha got cookin' Well how's…
Floyd Cramer his Piano and Orchestra Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Frankie Laine Hey good looking. Hey good looking what you got cooking How'…
Frankie Laine feat. Jo Stafford Hey. hey good lookin', watcha got cookin hows about cookin s…
Frankie Lane Hey. hey good lookin', watcha got cookin Hows about cookin …
George Clinton Excuse me if I gawk. If I balk. If there's a pause…
George Jones Hey, hey, good lookin' what you got cookin'? Hows about cook…
George Strait [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Hank Williams Say hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Hank Williams Jr. Say, hey good lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's about cook…
Helen O'connell Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Jackson Strait Buffett [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Jerry Lee Lewis Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Jett Williams Hey hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin' how's about cookin'…
Jimmy and the Parrots [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Jimmy Buffett (Jimmy Buffett) Hey, hey good lookin', what you got cookin'?…
Jimmy Buffett & Alan Jackson & George Strait [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Jimmy Buffett (Featuring Clint Black Kenny Chesney Alan Jackson Toby Keith and George Strait) [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's…
Jimmy Buffett feat. Clint Black Kenny Chesney Alan Jackson Toby Keith & George Strait [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Jimmy Buffett Feat. George Strait & Alan Jackson [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's…
Jimmy Buffett With Alan Jackson And George Strait [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's a…
Jimmy Buffett With George Strait And Alan Jackson [Jimmy:] Hey, Hey, Good Lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's…
Jo Stafford Hey good looking. Hey good looking what you got cooking How'…
Jo Stafford Frankie Laine [Chorus] Hey good looking what you got cooking Hows about …
Joe Pass Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Joe Pass & Roy Clark Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about co…
Johnny Cash Hey hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin' how's about cookin'…
Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Johnny Cash/Jerry Lee Lewis Hey, hey, good lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's about cook…
Leon Russell Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about co…
Loretta Lynn Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? How's about cookin'…
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? Hows about cookin' …
Loretta Lynn/Conway Twitty Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin'? How's about cookin'…
Mavericks Hey good lookin' what cha got cookin' How's about cookin' s…
McSweeney / John Say hey, good lookin'. What ya got cookin'? How's about cook…
Mose Allison Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Ray Charles Hey, good lookin', what you got cookin' How's about cookin' …
Roger Miller Hey good lookin' whatcha got cookin' how's about cookin' som…
Roy Acuff Hey good lookin', whatcha got cookin' How's about cookin' so…
Roy Clark & Joe Pass Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Roy Clark and Joe Pass Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about co…
Roy Orbison Hey, good lookin' what you got cookin'? How's about cookin' …
Tennessee Ernie Ford Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Tennessee Ernie Ford / Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about co…
The Drifting Cowboys Say hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
The Mavericks Hey good lookin' what cha got cookin' How's about cookin' so…
The Ravens & Dinah Washington Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
The Replacements Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'? How's about coo…
The Residents Said, hey good lookin', whatcha got cookin'? How's about co…
The Waylons Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'? How's about c…
Tom Hiddleston and the Saddle Spring Boys Hey, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
Waylon Jennings Hey, hey, good lookin', Whatcha got cookin'? How's about coo…
Willie Boxcar Say, hey, good lookin' Whatcha got cookin'? How's about cook…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Marvin Rainwater:
A Whole Lotta Woman It takes a whole lotta lovin' Just to keep my…
Albino Stallion In Arizona's desert lores a legend goes about a horse…
Albino (Pink Eyed) Stallion In Arizona's desert lores a legend goes about a horse…
Baby Don't Go {Son, don't go near the Indians Please stay away Son, don't …
Boo Hoo I'm gonna leave this lonesome town I'm gonna change my name…
Gonna Find Me a Bluebird Gonna find me a bluebird Let him sing me a song 'Cause…
Whole Lotta Woman It takes a whole lotta lovin' Just to keep my…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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