From: Dik de Heer 
Date: Tue Oct 28, 2003 1:32am
Subject: Born To Be With You : Mitchell Torok
 
MITCHELL TOROK

Born 28 October 1929, Houston, Texas

Singer / songwriter / guitarist.
Mitchell Torok is remembered as the composer of "Mexican Joe",
the song that launched Jim Reeves's rise to stardom. Torok also
had a career as a recording artist. The son of Hungarian immigrants,
he became interested in country music at the age of twelve, while
growing up in Houston. Torok attended Stephen F. Austin State
College in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he graduated with a bachelor 
of science degree.
In 1953 Torok met Fabor Robinson, owner of Abbott Records, and
played "Mexican Joe" for him. Robison produced the Jim Reeves
recording and it became a # 1 country song for nine weeks and the
top country hit of 1953. In that same year Torok wrote and recorded
"Caribbean". Not only did it reach # 1 on the country charts, but a
re-recording of the song for Guyden Records in 1959 made it to # 27
on the pop charts. Sonny James revived the song successfully in
1978.
During the 1950s Torok became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride
and he placed two other songs on the charts : "Hootchy Kootchy
Henry (From Hawaii)" (# 9 country, 1954) and "Pledge of Love" in
1957 (# 25 pop ; three other versions also made the Billboard Top
100). He also scored hits in the UK : "When Mexico Gave Up the 
Rumba" (# 6, 1956) and "Red Light Green Light" (# 29, 1957), both
on the Brunswick label. 
Torok recorded for various labels through the years, including Decca,
Mercury, Capitol, RCA and Reprise. His songs have been recorded
by artists ranging from Hank Snow to Dean Martin and have included
Vernon Oxford's 1976 country hit "Redneck! (The Redneck National
Anthem)." 

Bear Family released a 4 CD-set by Torok in 1996 : Mexican Joe in
the Caribbean (BCD 15906). From the Bear Family website:
"This 4-CD set includes Mitchell's rare early recordings for FBC
and Royalty, as well as his recordings for Abbott, Decca, Guyden, 
Mercury, and Capitol, encompassing his career from 1949 to 1963. 
Standout cuts include Nacogdoches County Line, Piney Woods Boogie, 
Sober Up, Red Light--Green Light, You Drive Buddy, Havana Huddle, 
and the original version of the Top 10 pop hit Pledge Of Love. Mitchell 
was a different sort of country singer, and this is a great, offbeat collection."