I didn't know about Jimmy. Thanks, another road to follow.
As an aside, I'm a British Deadhead who they kifnapped late 1966. Lobg story.
Jerry was a fine banjo player. He wss part of Old In And The Way who had such as Pete Rowan and master fiddler Vassar Clements - who got toj play with the Stones in the glory glory Exile time.
So. Jerry's band supported Bill Monroe one night. Jerry was too shy to go say hello.
Both core delineators of fine American music. A Hillbilly and a free-thinking in betwixt Beat and Hippy.
Heady times. My love old time American music dates back to my hippy days. It's cool. Music talks to us all and directly to our hearts.
I was always a big Jimmy Martin fan, and I couldn’t believe he kept playing the Opry all those years while continuing to be snubbed. I wish he’d finally told the Opry where they could stick their membership, which considering the low-level artists they inducted was not worthy of someone of his stature and talent. Jimmy Martin deserved the Opry, but the Opry did not deserve Jimmy Martin.
Dang, you tell a fine tale! Truly. Thank you for educating me, a clueless Boomer Northerner. Listening to Jimmy Martin (for the first time), I think “This man is dancing with his voice!” Love it!
Thanks for this! You chose a great video to illustrate your essay: the voice, the look, the sidemen, the song: I am a fan of bluegrass, but not the biggest fan by any means, so I was surprised to learn that he was not a member of the Opry.
I hope you do not find it presumptuous of me to ask, but who were the banjo player and the fiddler in that video? My asking shows what I mean, I suppose, by saying I am not the biggest fan: if you identify the players I may well know the names, but I could not identify them on my own.
I bought “The Sunny Side Of the Mountain LP in 1973 when I was sixteen. I learned the mandolin breaks, lead vocals and tenor harmonies to every song on that album.
He was phenomenal on the original Will The Circle Be Unbroken album, on I think 4 songs, including a killer version of My Walkin Shoes Don't Fit Me Anymore. Played guitar on other tunes. Think he also did On the Sunny Side of the Mountain. Not classic bluegrass backing either.
UK hippy. Deadhead. College '69 to '72. Majored as you guys say, in English Lit. & Lang in 1972. Bought "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and got throw in at the deep end for the deep, heartfelt real music.
BTW, you need a banjo, here's my brother-in-law (long story).
I was given my vinyl copy of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” at the Carter Family Fold, ironically enough and it’s been a favorite forever. Got to see Nitty Gritty’s reunion of this record at The Country Music Hall of Fame a couple years back. It’s a good one!
I didn't know about Jimmy. Thanks, another road to follow.
As an aside, I'm a British Deadhead who they kifnapped late 1966. Lobg story.
Jerry was a fine banjo player. He wss part of Old In And The Way who had such as Pete Rowan and master fiddler Vassar Clements - who got toj play with the Stones in the glory glory Exile time.
So. Jerry's band supported Bill Monroe one night. Jerry was too shy to go say hello.
Both core delineators of fine American music. A Hillbilly and a free-thinking in betwixt Beat and Hippy.
Heady times. My love old time American music dates back to my hippy days. It's cool. Music talks to us all and directly to our hearts.
"Let their be songs to fill the air
I was always a big Jimmy Martin fan, and I couldn’t believe he kept playing the Opry all those years while continuing to be snubbed. I wish he’d finally told the Opry where they could stick their membership, which considering the low-level artists they inducted was not worthy of someone of his stature and talent. Jimmy Martin deserved the Opry, but the Opry did not deserve Jimmy Martin.
Well said.
Dang, you tell a fine tale! Truly. Thank you for educating me, a clueless Boomer Northerner. Listening to Jimmy Martin (for the first time), I think “This man is dancing with his voice!” Love it!
Thanks for this! You chose a great video to illustrate your essay: the voice, the look, the sidemen, the song: I am a fan of bluegrass, but not the biggest fan by any means, so I was surprised to learn that he was not a member of the Opry.
I hope you do not find it presumptuous of me to ask, but who were the banjo player and the fiddler in that video? My asking shows what I mean, I suppose, by saying I am not the biggest fan: if you identify the players I may well know the names, but I could not identify them on my own.
Kenny Ingram on banjo and Johnny Dacus on fiddle.
I bought “The Sunny Side Of the Mountain LP in 1973 when I was sixteen. I learned the mandolin breaks, lead vocals and tenor harmonies to every song on that album.
Thank you!
He was phenomenal on the original Will The Circle Be Unbroken album, on I think 4 songs, including a killer version of My Walkin Shoes Don't Fit Me Anymore. Played guitar on other tunes. Think he also did On the Sunny Side of the Mountain. Not classic bluegrass backing either.
UK hippy. Deadhead. College '69 to '72. Majored as you guys say, in English Lit. & Lang in 1972. Bought "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and got throw in at the deep end for the deep, heartfelt real music.
BTW, you need a banjo, here's my brother-in-law (long story).
https://www.rileybaugusbanjos.com/
Also - checking out the banjos!
Lots of Riley on YouTube
Thanks Jeremy!
I was given my vinyl copy of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” at the Carter Family Fold, ironically enough and it’s been a favorite forever. Got to see Nitty Gritty’s reunion of this record at The Country Music Hall of Fame a couple years back. It’s a good one!
Yes - must get that.