Jimmy Martin

Jimmy Martin (August 10 1927 - May 14, 2005) was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".

Related Topics:
August 10 - 1927 - May 14 - 2005 - American - Bluegrass - Musician

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Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee, beginning in 1949 Martin was lead vocalist for Bill Monroe's "Bluegrass Boys," until he formed his own band, "The Sunny Mountain Boys" in 1955. Martin's high voice mixed with Monroe's tenor came to be known as the "high lonesome" sound. He made frequent appearances on the Louisiana Hayride and the Wheeling Jamboree, as well as the Grand Ole Opry.

Related Topics:
Sneedville, Tennessee - 1949 - Bill Monroe - 1955 - Louisiana Hayride - Wheeling Jamboree - Grand Ole Opry

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He performed on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1971 album, Will the Circle be Unbroken. In 1995, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. A documentary on his life, King of Bluegrass: The Life and Times of Jimmy Martin, was released in 2003. Also featured in High Lonesome.

Related Topics:
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 1971 - 1995 - International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor - 2003

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Jimmy Martin died Saturday May 14, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee after having been diagnosed with bladder cancer more than a year earlier. He is interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Madison, Tennessee.

Related Topics:
Nashville, Tennessee - Bladder cancer - Spring Hill Cemetery - Madison, Tennessee

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