View Full Version : The King of Bluegrass ,
Thanks to the "heads-up" by Scott T., I just read the interview with Jimmy Martin - a wonderful, informative, and certainly well-written article. You may not be a "fan" of the King - certainly there's no "middle-ground" when Bluegrass folks talk about Mssr. Martin - either ya' can't stand him or you unashamedly revere him - I think ya' gotta' admit Jimmy has - and still is - doin' it "his way" - Consider his age.., health.., and the life he's lived, as Sonny Osborne once told me.., "...they'll never be another like him" . Thank you Jimmy Martin for your contributions, dedication, and love of good-ol' Bluegrasss Music. I still will pay the price-of-admission to watch the King strut.., chew his gum.., wave his hands and "ramble-on" in general... BUT, "when the tailgate drops the BS stops"...anytime!! Bless you much. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
mrbook
Jul-07-2004, 10:41am
For the last week or so, the wake-up song on my cd/clock radio is Jimmy singing "Sophronie" - if that doesn't get you up for the day, I don't know what will. His personality might have closed a few doors in his career, but he has made some of the best bluegrass music I've heard.
Moose
Jul-07-2004, 11:03am
"...my Sophronie from Kentucky, she's found another man, I can't...." - Now THAT'S a wake-up call!!! - Thanks for the post mrbook. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Scotti Adams
Jul-07-2004, 12:30pm
...yep..Ol Jimmy is a class act(nowadays)....hes soley responsible for some of the best 'grass thats ever been played...
futrconslr
Jul-07-2004, 1:01pm
When (or is he) ever going to be offered a spot on the Opry or in the Country Music Hall of Fame?
Scotti Adams
Jul-07-2004, 2:01pm
..I hate to say it...but probably never....it would be a slap in the face to be offered a spot now...seeing how hes not in good health and may not be around to enjoy it...He should also be in the Country Music Hall of Fame...if he isnt already..Im not clear if he is or not....
evanreilly
Jul-07-2004, 10:00pm
I believe that Jimmy was blackballed by WSM or the Opry (the radio station, not Monroe) and will never be a member of the Opry. He wasn't a wholesome family act, or some such....
Scotti Adams
Jul-08-2004, 5:07am
..after reading that article its ironic that Jimmy said he couldnt keep a good band because most players he had wanted to drink and talk about women....seems like the pot calling the kettle black to me......Ive seen Jimmy several times...only once I can honestly say he was a little curly...and walking sideways. Go figure.
Scotti Adams Posted on July 08 2004, 06:07
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..after reading that article its ironic that Jimmy said he couldnt keep a good band because most players he had wanted to drink and talk about women....seems like the pot calling the kettle black to me......
You don't suppose it was because those players got tired of Jimmy telling the audience every night about every embarrassing thing they had ever done in front of him do you Scotti? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
GVD
Scotti Adams
Jul-08-2004, 5:32am
you think?....its this behavior thats kept him of that WSM stage...
GTison
Jul-08-2004, 6:37am
Yeah... He's kinda a tragic figure... at least in HIS mind.
He really does have some of the best bluegrass songs and is a CLASSIC. BUT on stage he is unpredictable. The tales of his antics are endless it seems. While I do love to hear them, I'm not sure it's a wholesome. like Jimmy said last year on stage... shave and a haircut 2 bits my ol cow has 3 tits ... etc.
is it any wonder he's not an opry member.
Bowfinger: Now THAT'S hilarious!! - Another Martin(ism) and the King in true form!.... hee... hee.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Willie
Jul-08-2004, 9:18pm
Hey Moose...You dig the darndest things to talk about on here and I love it....You know that I love almost all of Jimmy`s recordings but as for the man...No love there, he`s an animal...I seen him more than once tear his banjo picker apart because he didn`t "play it like J.D." did on the original cut...At one of my gigs a fellow said if we could play four Jimmy Martin tunes he would put $5 in the kitty and after 10 songs of Jimmy`s he put in a 10 spot...So when you meet a Jimmy Martin fan be prepared and have some of his songs on your list....Good post and some interesting inputs but I think we all feel about the same when it comes to Jimmy...sort of reminds me of not putting Pete Rose in the Hall Of Fame for baseball....`til later...Willie
Spruce
Jul-09-2004, 10:52am
"When (or is he) ever going to be offered a spot on the Opry... "
Read Tom Piazza's amazing little book on his days with Jimmy and that will pretty much answer that question....
Moose
Jul-09-2004, 11:43am
Hey Spruce! - I read that book from cover to cover. It took me on a "rollercoaster ride" of emotions - from hysterical laughing..., to deep-felt sadness.. re: The King!! - This book should is a MUST for any lover of the music known as Bluegrass and gives candid insight into one of its' Charter Members thereof... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
futrconslr
Jul-09-2004, 2:43pm
I am going to check out the book.....
He is not in the Hall of Fame....I actually called over there and ask! lol
futrconslr
Jul-09-2004, 2:52pm
Speaking of the Devil.
http://www.nashscene.com/cgi-bin....Records (http://www.nashscene.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?story=This_Week:Arts:Music--Records)
Scotti Adams
Jul-09-2004, 4:17pm
The King
Moose
Jul-11-2004, 10:48am
Great 'stuff..., gentlemen. Thanks for posting. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Salty Dog
Jul-11-2004, 7:52pm
The last time I saw Jimmy on stage (a long time ago), he verbally abused the banjo player continuously. #I couldn't stand it so I left the performance area and vowed never to witness a live performance by him again - a vow that I have kept. #If that banjo player finished the set, he should have been given a medal, as I have never witnessed a public humiliation even close to that.
# # On the other hand, Jimmy (and Paul Williams; let's not forget him) delivered some great bluegrass music and I own the Bear Family collection as a tribute to that.
flatthead
Jul-12-2004, 9:49am
I played banjo with Jimmy Martin for 2 different stints and got along fine with him, although I will say, you've got to have a pretty tough skin.
He just wants his music played the way he hears it in his head. Although that's a simple statement, it is a pretty tall order.
We're good friends and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from him.
Best to all
Jim
Flathead :Thanks for the post & good words for The King. Like the bumper-sticker say's, "When the tailgate drops, the ..(BS).. stops" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
mrbook
Jul-12-2004, 10:35am
The Opry made Johnny Paycheck a member before he died, and he was certainly a wild character. Paycheck probably didn't go backstage to harass people as I read in the Martin book (great, including Marty Stuart's introduction), but he is what he is, and things probably got worse over the years. I'll bet Monroe didn't want him on in the 50s, and he didn't have Martha White behind him like Flatt & Scruggs did. He may have nailed his doors shut over the years, but country music has forgiven a lot of bad behavior for the sake of good music.