Carl Dobkins, Jr.

Carl Dobkins, Jr. (born January 13, 1941 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States) is an American singer. He is best known for his 1959 hit, "My Heart is an Open Book", which went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record sold over one million copies, resulting in the awarding of a gold disc.

Career

The Seniors, Dobkins' backup group, included Keith Ross, Paul Powers and Harry Clifton. The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The group sang together for approximately eight years. Dobkins and the Seniors were promoted by Gil Sheppard, a local Cincinnati radio disc jockey, who noted the young singer's early high school compositions and a two-song demo record. This led to a recording contract with Fraternity Records, who released their first record.

After recording "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" at King Records studios, Sheppard sold the master recording to Decca Records. Dobkins then recorded sessions for Decca in Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959, which reached No. 3 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B chart. Dobkins was featured frequently at Castle Farms, and on television for the Bob Braun Show (WLW-T, Cincinnati). He appeared fourteen times as a guest on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.

Personal life

Dobkins married Janice Cox in 1960. He has two daughters, five grandchildren, and four great-grand children. Carl has been inducted into the Cincinnati Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is now retired, but occasionally performs at oldies festivals. Dobkins sang rockabilly as well, and his contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Discography

• Fraternity F-794 - January 1958 - "Take Hold Of My Hand" / "That's Why I'm Asking"
• Decca 9-30656 - May 1958 - "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" / "Love is Everything"
• Decca ED 2664 - August 1959 - "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" / "Love is Everything" / "My Heart Is An Open Book" / "My Pledge to You"
• Brunswick 05817 - March 1960 - "Lucky Devil" - number 25 UK No. 44
• Decca 9-31088 - April 1960 - "One Little Girl"
• Decca 39353 - 1962 - "Promise Me" / "Ask Me No Questions"

• Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 161. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
• http://www.colorradio.com/carldobkins-jr.html