Thursday, September 3, 2015

Brownsville Cotton Carnival: “Fats Domino” on stage

"Cool Cat" Martinez Makes an Apperance
by Rene Torres

Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and the contributions of local merchants— the 1959 Brownsville Fourth Annual Cotton Carnival went on without a hitch.

The Carnival was a three day event that included two parades, a beauty contest, a free show for children, a bathing revue and swimming exhibition.

The final affair saw throngs of people jamming the Jacob Brown Auditorium where the Grand Cotton Carnival Ball was held. 

Adding to the excitement of activities was the performance of “Fats Domino” and his orchestra.
 Like an arrival of a Hollywood movie star, Domino traveled to the auditorium with his 15 piece orchestra in a pink Chrysler limousine.

 Just imagine being there listening the popular tunes of the era —“Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t that a shame” and “I’m walking, which were among the top 20 tunes in the country for many weeks.  The $2 admission was all worth it.

Well! Brownsville resident Elia Cantu Senteno and her two girl friends were there.  There was just one concern. Elia, like most girls of that period had a curfew and that was always on the back of her mind as the music played on.

Elia, who still lives in Brownsville, recently declared that the auditorium was full and vividly remembers that there was constant screaming with every song. 
Although she didn’t stay until the final curtain, which came down at 1:00 a.m., she danced the night away while still meeting her mother’s mandated curfew. 

Also, that evening, a local nine year old kid shared the stage with “Fats.” David Martinez, the “Cool Cat, “as he was known in Brownsville, was a dancing sensation that Mr. Domino had met  in a previous visit to Brownsville.  It was then that Domino saw him dance and never forgot his name. 
David, who today is 65 years old and lives in Florida, recently, commented by phone that when Domino saw him among the audience— called him by name to join the band on stage.  Domino was so impressed with his talent that he extended him an invitation to travel with the band.

At first, David’s parents supported the idea, but after some in-depth thinking decided that a nine year old belongs at home. 

The program concluded with sixteen girls taking the stage.   Betty George was crowned queen of the 1959 Cotton Carnival Queen. With the crown she won a trip for two to Mexico City with $100 expense money. 

Second place went to Jeanine Sanchez, her prize was a weekend for two at El Padre Motel on Padre Island and set of luggage.  Third place winner was Shirley Brookins, she received a wristwatch.
Others Brownsville High participants were Corinne Anderson, Betty Delgado, Gloria Fernandez, Carolyn Lambert, Mary Bell La Tout, Phillis Maring, and Joanne Trickey.

A coronation ceremony was held at 3 p.m. in the Sunken Garden of Fort Brown Memorial Center and was followed by the Grand Ball at 9 p.m. at the Jacob Brown Auditorium.

Fats Domino who had been drawing large audiences wherever he was booked—was just as popular in Brownsville as the high school crowd jammed the auditorium.

NOTE:  David the “Cool Cat,” led the 1956 Charro Days Parade 
in his familiar “Tin Tan” attire—the multitudes that lined the streets give him a more than a healthy applause at every stop.  As time progressed, David left his dancing days behind, but continued in the music business.  In 1975, he was instrumental in forming  “The New Variety Band,” a group that after 40 years still plays today in the McAllen area.


Shown in photo: Concepcion Torres, Arnold Torres and David “Cool Cat” Martinez

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