This Week we Celebrate the life of Hugh Martin
What caught me was the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” as I read on I learned the name of the man you wrote that timeless classic. Hugh Martin, originally from Birmingham AL was not only the writer of that classic song but also an accomplished American musical theater and film composer.
In 1944 MGM released the musical Meet me in St Louis starring Judy Garland. In the musical Judy Garland sang three Hugh Martin songs, “The Boy Next Door’, “The Trolley Song”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. The last song has become a Christmas standard not only in America but worldwide.
Hugh Martin wrote music for such Broadway Musicals as “Best Foot Forward” (1941), “Look Ma, I’m Dancing!” (1948), “Make a Wish” (1951), “High Spirits” (1964) and “Meet me in St Louis” (1989). He also has credits for the musicals “Hooray for What”, “The Boys from Syracuse”, “Too Many Girls”, “DuBarry Was a Lady”, ‘Cabin in the Sky”, ”Gentleman Prefer Blonds”, “ Top Banana”, and “Lorelei” all spanning from 1937 to 1974.
Working with his partner of many years, Ralph Blane and Huge Martin were both nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for best song “The Trolley Song” and in 1947 for “Pass the Peace Pipe”. Mr. Martin was also nominated for Tony awards for his work on “High Spirits” and “Meet Me in St. Louis”. Talked about still today was the 1951 tour where Hugh played piano for his good friend Judy Garland. Most notable of the 1951 tour was the two-a-day engagements played to packed crowds at the famous Palace Theater in New York City.
Hugh Martin’s work was celebrated and released in a songbook collection entitled, “The Songs of Hugh Martin” published by Hal Leonard Publishing in 2008. In October of 2010, Hugh Martin released his own autobiography titled “Hugh Martin-“The Boy Next Door”. Michael Feinstein with whom Hugh Martin collaborated with on a CD said of him “In a world of extraordinary people, I’m glad there is Hugh,” Michael Feinstein, performer and musical historian, wrote in the foreword to “The Boy Next Door.” “He is truly a national treasure and, thank goodness, is much appreciated and cherished.”.
Hugh Martin grew up and influenced the Golden Era of Hollywood and Broadway musicals. He was a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He lived in Encinitas California. Hugh Martin passed away on March 11, 2011 at the age of 96. He has had many accomplishments most well before this writers time, but from this day forward when I hear that magical song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” I will always know Hugh Martin wrote that song. The Story Place.