American TV personality, particularly known for hosting game shows.
One of several children, he was hired at age 17 to host a radio show, reading commercials, playing records, announcing the news and reporting on sporting events. A few years later, he landed his dream job at a Memphis station, WHBQ , where he hosted a popular morning show, “Clockwatchers.” At the same time, he was earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis. WHBQ then began airing on TV and his TV career was born. In 1959, he secured a position with a Los Angeles station with both radio and TV outlets, using his talents in both venues. That same year, he was asked to record a version of a former hit, a country narrative titled “Deck of Cards.” By September that year, the recording shot to the top, earning a Gold Record and an invitation to appear on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in New York.
In the mid-’60s he began hosting game shows, beginning with “What’s This Song,” and in 1985 he added producing to his repertoire with the syndicated program “Headline Chasers.” He has since produced several real-time interactive shows for The Family Channel, including “Boggle” and “Jumble.” His “Debt” for Disney’s Buena Vista Productions, shown on Lifetime cable network, earned a CableACE Award for best game show.
In 1996, Martindale began hosting a daily 3-hour radio show, “Music Of Your Life” featuring “oldies,” musical hits from the past, and celebrity interviews.
Martindale has been married over 25 years; he and his wife Sandy have four children, seven grandchildren and several Chihuahuas.
Link to Wikipedia biography