Bluegrass Legend Jimmy Martin Dies

billboard.com ^ | Chris Morris

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

May 16, 2005, 10:30 AM ET

Jimmy Martin, one of the greatest vocalists in bluegrass, died Saturday (May 14) in a Nashville hospice where he was battling bladder cancer. He was 77.

In 1949, Martin replaced Mac Wiseman in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, the premier bluegrass group, and served as the group's guitarist and lead vocalist until 1954. His tenor vocals were featured on many of the Monroe band's recordings for Decca -- perhaps most memorably on the gospel sides collected in 1969 on "A Voice From on High."

After recording with the Osborne Brothers in the mid-'50s, Martin founded his own group, the Sunny Mountain Boys. This band, which included such leaders in their own right as J.D. Crowe and Doyle Lawson, recorded such bluegrass standards as "Rock Hearts," "Widow Maker" and "The Sunny Side of the Mountain."

In 1972, Martin joined such other country and bluegrass legends as Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff and Earl Scruggs on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's album "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," a landmark merger of rock and country talent. In the early 1980s, Martin founded his own label, King of Bluegrass.

The oft-irascible musician was profiled in Tom Piazza's 1999 book "True Adventures With the King of Bluegrass" and George Goehl's 2003 film "King of Bluegrass: The Life & Times of Jimmy Martin."

Martin's funeral will be held Wednesday at the Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tenn.

-- Chris Morris, The Hollywood Reporter

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

I have no idea what Jimmy Martin's politics (if any) were, but I suspect the man was a patriot.

He was the greatest lead singer in Bluegrass music, IMHO and a first-rate entertainer. He also played some of the tastiest, most hard-driving rhythm guitar around. He was a uniquely American artist, true country, and Bluegrass all the way. I'm at a loss here trying to write something worthy of the man and his work.

If you like Bluegrass or country music and you haven't heard Jimmy Martin, I urge you to check him out.

[StarCMC]

Bluegrass ping

[Senator Pardek]

Is Doc Watson still kickin'?

[tet68]

Rest in Peace Jimmy.

[Wage Slave]

Bluegrass = musical nirvana

Rest in peace, Jimmy.

[don-o]

Is Doc Watson still kickin'?

Yup. He is.

[okie01]

"Sunny Side of the Mountain" ping

[mylife]

Doc Watson is still Kickin and performing Live

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

We'll miss you, sir.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Is Doc Watson still kickin'?

To my knowledge, still kickin', still pickin'.

[mylife]

Another Great ... gone

Im happy to report that there are many yung uns that are keeping the sound alive and true

RIP Jimmy, RIP Bill

[Teplukin]

Many of these bluegrass musicians are lefties. Though I do admit that bluegrass is not as bad as folk, progressive rock or jazz.

Let's be honest, Country Music is the most ideologically reliable of the major musical forms.

[don-o]

I have no idea what Jimmy Martin's politics (if any) were, but I suspect the man was a patriot.

Like all the old timers, like Bill, Ralph, Mac, Lester, Earl - Jimmy is a simple man. Never got above their raising - which is the secret of success.

Rest in Peace.

[StarCMC]

Yeppers! I went looking and didn't find any of his music yet - was gonna post a song over here... You got any?

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Like all the old timers, like Bill, Ralph, Mac, Lester, Earl - Jimmy is a simple man. Never got above their raising - which is the secret of success.

Amen to that.

Rest in Peace, Jimmy.

[mylife]

Just play any Bill Monroe tunes and youve got Jimmy!

[Khurkris]

He was "Mr. High & Lonesome."

Rest in that Peaceful Valley.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

Just play any Bill Monroe tunes and youve got Jimmy!

Jimmy and Big Mon did a version of "In the Pines" that is as good as music ever gets.

[mylife]

This isnt even close to Bill and Jimmys sound but somehow I think theyd approve.

The Waybacks Turkish Stalemate

[RedRover]

Thanks for posting.
Rest in peace, Jimmy.