Country Music Hall of Fame · Inducted 2006
Country Music Hall of Fame · Inducted 2006
About this site
How this official site came to be, and the people who made it possible.
A note from Gary Robble
I asked for — and received — Sonny’s permission to commission this website because I had read so many inaccurate quotes about his career in articles, and even in CD liner notes, written by people who had never met him.
Having worked alongside Sonny for seven years, from 1964 through 1971, as a member of his Southern Gentlemen, I gathered this information myself and stand behind its content as a true account of how things happened. I hope you enjoy it.
Every original photograph on this site was scanned by Greg Robble, Gary Robble and the fine people at Wolf Camera in Nashville, Tennessee. Sonny kept his photos in large “big book” albums; each original was carefully removed from its page, scanned, and returned to its place before the books went back to Sonny.
The site’s design, content, hosting and related services were given freely to Sonny and Doris as a small gift of our love and appreciation — for their friendship, their kind hearts and their unwavering witness. Sonny and Doris spent countless hours answering our requests for photos and information, and we can’t thank them enough. We hope this site reflects their commitment and their wish to share so much of their lives together with you.
Sonny and Doris have both since gone home, and no fund, sponsor or estate supports this work. It has never needed one. Year after year, through every change in technology and every passing season, this site has been kept alive, cared for and made better — not out of obligation, but out of love.
It remains our way of keeping a promise to two dear friends: that the story they trusted us with would always be told truthfully, and that the music, the laughter and the quiet kindness of the Southern Gentleman and his beloved Doris would never be forgotten. As long as there are people who still smile at the first notes of “Young Love,” we’ll be here to keep the light on.
Greg Robble is the eldest son of Gary Robble. He and his wife Lisa live just outside Nashville with their two children, where he owns a web development and hosting firm serving the insurance and financial industries. A 20-year veteran of touring production, Greg worked on tours with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, Kiss, Jimmy Buffett, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Tina Turner and many more.
Sonny and Gary during a broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show.
One of the “big book” albums Sonny used to present his photographs.
“Sonny and me during a Halloween stop on my rounds in 1966. I wasn’t sure if Sonny recognized me, or thought I was someone else in a Tom & Jerry suit.”
“As one of the first girls ever to hold my hand besides my mom, I’ve always believed Doris is simply one of the sweetest and most beautiful ladies on earth. I’m pretty sure Sonny’s telling me that just because it’s ‘Young Love’… I can only stay with Doris a few more minutes.”