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Unless you're a real hardcore country music fan, you've probably never heard of Layng Martine, Jr, so let me give you a little background:
Layng is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and for good reason: Over the course of 4 decades (including the '70s), Layng wrote some "Great Country Songs" for the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, Reba McEntire, and Trisha Yearwood. He even crossed over to Pop music and wrote a few for Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow, and The Pointer Sisters!
In1992, he scored a Grammy nomination for Reba's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew."
All this from a man with no musical training whatsoever--who one day decided he could write songs...and went out and proved it!
Probably his most well-known '70s song was a lighthearted summer novelty he originally wrote and recorded for himself. In 1971,"Rub It In" made it all the way to #36 on the Adult Contemporary Chart--then vanished until 1974, when country music's Billy "Crash" Craddock rubbed his cover to #1 on the Country Charts in the US and Canada.
And then, it crossed over to reach #15 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart and #16 on the Hot 100. (It also went to #8 in South Africa!)
According to Billy, he was worried that it WOULDN'T be a hit because some radio programmers thought the title was a bit risque. He actually had to call radio stations and tell them "IT'S ABOUT SUNTAN LOTION!"
"Rub It In" was a "Great Summertime Song of 1974" for people of almost every musical taste--thanks to Layng Martine and Billy ":Crash" Craddock!
Billy's version:
Layng's original version:
Reba McEntire's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew:"
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