This recollection of Jimmy Martin's lessons to his heralded banjo player Chris Warner is a contribution from Thomas Cook. Chris is widely regarded as one of the finest exemplars of the Jimmy Martin style on banjo, behind only J.D. Crowe
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Gloria Belle passes
Gloria Belle, a powerful second-generation bluegrass vocalist and instrumentalist, probably best known for stints with Jimmy Martin, passed away on May 5, 2023. She was 84 years of age. Known early on as the Pennsylvania Sunshine Girl, she was probably the first
Ask a bluegrass legend – a special Halloween video
As we head into the Halloween weekend, with all the little ones preparing to scare us out of our boots with their spooky costumes, we've put together a very special video for your entertainment and edification. We have contacted a legitimate
Jimmy Martin’s Tennessee home demolished (updated)
Jimmy Martin's home in Hermitage, TN, where he lived for 40 years until the end of his life, was recently demolished. Many of his friends in Nashville will recall visiting him here, as will those who traveled to Hermitage to
Bill Torbert passes
Bill Torbert Jr, former member of Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2020 after contracting COVID-19 in a nursing home at the age of 81. Born in Washington, DC and raised in DC and Maryland, he
Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler – Barbara Martin Stephens
Author Barbara Martin Stephens was the common-law wife of Jimmy Martin, much troubled bluegrass star of the 1950s onwards. Her personal story, Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler: My Life with Jimmy Martin, the King of Bluegrass, relates the
Special tributes to be featured at Jenny Brook 2018
Special tributes to bygone bluegrass stars are on the docket at the 2018 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival in Tunbridge, VT. Three stage shows are scheduled to honor iconic artists, along with a book signing and interview session. Jimmy Martin gets the
Yesterday’s Wine talks with Barbara Martin Stephens
Nadia Ramlagan interviewed Barbara Martin Stephens for her most recent edition of the Yesterday's Wine podcast. They spoke at length about Barbara's book, Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler, where she tells her story of living and working with
Facebook live Q&A with Barbara Martin at SPBGMA tonight
The Nashville chapter of The Handsome Ladies are hosting a live question and answer sessions this evening with Barbara Martin Stephens, author of Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler - My Life with Jimmy Martin, The King of Bluegrass.
Bluegrass playlist for the 4th of July
As those of us in the United States celebrate Independence Day today, what better music to accompany our cookouts and fireworks than bluegrass? Nothing goes with the rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air quite like the ring of