Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Marty Robbins’ Son Honors His Father With “Big Iron” Tribute

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

This treasured country legend and famed NASCAR driver was honored by his son in a truly memorable tribute performance of his signature hit, “Big Iron.”

Marty Robbins’ talented son, Ronny Robbins, took the stage in one episode of Country’s Family Reunion to proudly perform this timeless classic for a group of some of the biggest names in country music and fans across the nation.

As Ronny started to sing “Big Iron” with all of his heart, you can tell he is Marty’s son just by the sound of his voice! These two impressive country singers shared a love of singing, and it’s clear that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

“Marty Robbins originally released big Iron” as an album track on Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs in 1959, then as a single in February 1960. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Country chart and No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

 A Standard Western Tale of an Arizona Ranger 

As a singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and race car driver, Marty Robbins was the total package. He was responsible for making and recording some of the biggest hits of his era.

Written by Marty Robbins himself, “Big Iron” was a standard Western tale of an Arizona ranger who came to town hunting an outlaw named Texas Red, a vicious killer with twenty notches on his gun symbolizing the people he’s killed. In a duel, the ranger quickly shot and killed Texas Red; one bullet was enough to finish the outlaw off.

“It was over in a moment, and the crowd all gathered ’round. There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground. Oh, he might have went on livin’ but he made one fatal slip. When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip,” the song goes.

More than three decades after Robbins’s death, the “Big Iron” was revived. The resurgence can be traced back to 2010 when it was included in the video game Fallout: New Vegas on the in-game radio stations, Black Mountain Radio, Mojave Music Radio, and Radio New Vegas.

The popularity of the game helped spur a revival of interest in Marty Robbins’ music in the 21st century. A decade after the video game’s release, “Big Iron” even became an internet meme. It gained popularity through remixes as well as Photoshop parodies and its use on the popular video-sharing app TikTok.

You can watch this touching performance by Marty’s son, Ronny Robbins, in the video below.

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...