Jimmy Martin - The Mystery Of Hank Williams' Couch - ( Mike Bub ) 

What's your favorite Jimmy Martin song? Did you ever get to see him live?

Jimmy Martin, my late, great cousin. Old Pete and he are still runnin' after the ringtails....

I just met Ms. Barbara Martin Stephens (the mother of Jimmy Martin’s children, booker, and common-law wife) the other night at The Commodore Grille for Jimmy Payne’s memorial. She wrote a book called, “Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler” about Jimmy Martin. Thought you might like to give it a read. Thanks, Otis.

My favorite Jimmy Martin song is “Widow Maker”. I went to one of his performances in the early 2000’s. It was a great show and afterwards there was an autograph signing. I shook Jimmy’s hand and politely asked him if he still ever played “Widow Maker”. He said that he would - but the guys in his band couldn’t play it properly. Then he went on a rant - with his band members nearby - about how “these young guys in the business don’t have the same dedication as we did - we lived and breathed music 24 hours a day, but the young guys coming up now aren’t like that”, lol... Then I asked him if Bill Monroe was a nice guy to play for. Jimmy said, “Well, he was a nice guy except that he didn’t pay me my money that he owed me”, and went on about how Monroe went to the grave without ever paying him the hundreds or so dollars that he was due.. It was fascinating to hear Jimmy go on and on, but I saw that there was a lineup of people waiting, so I told him that I enjoyed talking to him, and he told me to make sure that I get on the mailing list, which I did, and as a result for the next couple of years I got a Christmas card signed by him and his wife, along with the next years tour information, which I thought was a neat way to promote himself and his career.. He was a colorful and a unique, and very talented man, and a real character...It was an honor to meet him..

For what it's worth, I'm still horrified by the rabbit story. : )

Just want to say it’s awesome to here these stories from Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Festival in Beanblossom Indiana from years past. I’m a young guy who grew up near there and going to this festival is the highlight of every year. Wish I could’ve seen Ralph Stanley and Jimmy ! The history here in southern Indiana is rich and footage/history of this festival online is few and far between. Thank you for sharing these stories, it means a lot to me!

To me, Jimmy is THE voice of bluegrass. Second to none. There's a reason he's the first track on Will the Circle Be Unbroken.

Got to meet Jimmy Martin several times, What a great person he was. Like the song old blue you good dog you.

More Mike Bub, pls, what a super nice guy with lots of stories from a great, great career. Thanks Otis!

We've lost our Characters....and our character. Too much rabbit hole living these days. Lust the kind of laughs and wonderment I needed to wake up to today. Thanks Otis.

I'm a huge fan of Jimmy Martin. I grew up in a very rural, country, hillbilly area and bluegrass music was our type of music. The very first bluegrass festival I was at was Bobby's riverbend bluegrass festival near crum West Virginia. I became struck on Jimmy by his coon hunting songs because I was big into coon hunting. However, I can't really give a favorite Jimmy Martin song because, all of Jimmy's songs are my favorite. Freeborn man, it takes one to know one, sunny side of the mountain, Tennessee, will the circle be unbroken. All these songs, I just love em. Thanks for this video and I would highly appreciate if you could keep me updated on any new Jimmy Martin videos posted on RU-vid. I have pretty much seen everything posted on RU-vid about Jimmy Martin and I just can't get enough of it. R.I.P. King Jimmy Martin

I have a hard time picking a favorite Jimmy Martin song, but my kids and I are always glad to hear "Moonshine Hollow". We love hearing that amazing Jimmy Martin rhythm! Listening to him jump in and out of those character voices for that song really took it to another level that not many others could match. He will always be my all time favorite Bluegrass artist. His personality and unwillingness to change it for others best interests is something to look up to in life. If you can't be yourself in life, then what are you living for?

Ocean of Diamonds

You dont know my mind was one I loved to hear him do.

I know the jimmy Martin type. I appreciate them all. they make life fun.

I sure do love old sneedville TN. Ain’t nothin like Hancock county. We’re the home of bluegrass tucked back in the hills

The first song i can remember hearing by Jimmy Martin was You got me going Ape over You, I guess that was about 1970 ? and we listened to that song all the time and singing it along with him.... it was such a Fun song,

I sat in a lounge and watched Jimmy and Charlie Waller sit at the bar and sing (maybe drink😉) for hours. SPBGMA in Nashville 1992 or 93.

I first seen jimmy at slagle's pasture in Elizabethton TN around 1990. We need more bluegrass festivals everyone needs to experience it...

Jimmy's property backed up to ours when we lived in Hermitage. Used to see him walking down on the road below our house.

Love it not sure how I missed this one

fave jimmy martin song is definitely "freeborn man" and favorite hank song is "settin the woods on fire" enjoyed this video..as always thanks otis!

Ocean Of Diamonds is probably my favorite song, but I also recall Michael Dave’s talking about having to sing a song a different way with Jimmie live once because he knew the sound crew didn’t have a plate reverb for the effect of the studio album.

I love Jimmy Martin! Gotta do my time!

Sadly I never seen him in concert but I did see Ralph Stanley at farm aid several times and got his autograph

Favorite jimmy martin song wow they is a lot One being LAST SONG

I love these stories.. Reminds me of Tales From The Tour Bus..would love to see more of them.. Thank you for all your work..

Great stories!! Mike!!

Love it!!!

Sage advice indeed. Thanks Otis and Mike.

Glad to see a story about jimmy!

Great Jimmy Martin stories! Love that man’s Decca recordings. Thanks, Otis.

You and the wonderful folks featured on your shows are greatly appreciated. Thk you.

These things are addictive! You’re really on to something here. Keep it up!

Interesting!❤

Free born man! Thanks, great video

thank you

Mike has done it all. Great guy. Love the stories.

I saw Jimmy Martin a couple of time at Bluegrass first class in Asheville,NC... He always brought the house down!

My favorite jimmy martin song is lonesome prison blues but I love his stuff with the Osbourne brothers and bill Monroe as well

Hey Bub... for what it's worth, I remember that wagon wheel couch and stuff at Martin's house. Vernon Derrick told me at that time Jimmy bought it in the late 1950's or early 60's. That's all I have on that.

I was at a festival Bucksteep manor in Western MA in the eighties. A band named Max Creek played "May The Circle Be Unbroken" for about 30 minutes with a story of Max Creek, West Virginia mixed in with the jam. Anyway, for the next couple of days, I kept humming along the refrain. I had no idea who wrote it, and Amherst, MA was hardly a bastion of country music history. I end up getting a bootleg of the Bucksteep show, and I did my best to learn the lyrics. A year later, a local band released a demo with"Circle" on it and they credit Billy Martin as the writer. The people of Amherst do follow baseball. Years later, Leftover Salmon did a version of it, and after the show I was talking with them about the song. It was only when Vince said how he loved Jimmy Martin that I figured it out. It all made sense that a bluegrass legend wrote the song and not the freakin Yankees manager.

Mike Bubb is a buddy of mine! Great story

Awesome... big Jimmy Martin fan here! I've watched that documentary biopic on RU-vid at least 7 times lol

Great interview with Mike! I LOVE to hear him tell stories! I would love to hear many more Mike Bubb interviews! My favorite JM number I think is “Ocean of Diamonds “

One of my faves of Jimmy's is freeborn man...

Cool story...I enjoy singing harmony as much as I like lead...probly..lol..I still remember the first time I hit a harmony with somebody else..waa waa waa waaaaaaa..intoxicating. Many of these guys you talk about I have heard of..many I have not but the common thread is..from bottom to top..being a musician is familiar to all of us not matter the level of fame..and we have all known all of these guys in one form or another..I love it.

Enjoyed this very much! thanks for posting,

Loved his stile of music Rest In Peace jimmy

Jimmy Martin's impact on bluegrass was immeasurable...he changed the direction and is prolly the second father after Bill...everybody of influence after that had either worked for him or worked for someone who did...imho..

My first bluegrass concert was Jimmy Martin in Madison, WI early '90's. I was blown away! So glad i took my father-in-law as he lived bluegrass. My favorite Jimny aong probably Widow Maker!

Thanks Otis for another GREAT story!

Thanks for mentioning The Wilburn Brothers clip, When the Savior Reached Down For Me- that is one of the BEST performances by anyone anywhere. thank you so much for mentioning that

Wat a story hahaha love uk ciccio

Freeborn Man is my favorite. Never saw him live, but we sure do play a lot of his songs when we do bluegrass sets. The harmonies on his records are in my opinion some of the best ever laid down.

The first Jimmy song i heard was Living like a fool. Its still my favorite song together with Freeborn man

My niece caught one of those rabbits.

Another good one Otis. Keep up the good work

I'd love to hear Mr Bubb tell stories about one of my all time favourite bands "Weary Heart" with Ron Block and Chris Jones. Jimmy did a great version of "You don't know my mind". "The last song" also stands out for me. Thanks Otis👍

Thanks for another great story Otis.

I really enjoyed this talk from Mike Bub. What a Southerner. I would like to hear more from him, especially his times with John Hartford, who I understand he did some shows with. It feels like a long gone mythical time, the fifties and sixties in the south. I love these interviews. I look forward to checking them with my morning coffee. I don't know Jimmy Martin's music that well, just heard a couple songs like Sunny side of the mountain, but what a character. I like that hard to figure quality of Martin, he believed what he believed, but Whoa, don't join his band for a tour, you'd never get any rest. I would have loved to meet him. Best wishes to you Otis.

🎼🤟♥️♥️♥️🤟🎼 Love hearing these stories

Use to see Jimmy at these Sunday jamborees in upstate NY at a place I worked at as a teenager (amongst many other country and bluegrass stars) I was up there for 9-10 years from 9 until 18 yrs of age

Mike Bub is a treasure. Great stories. Thanks for posting Otis.

Great stories

This is awesome, Otis. Thanks for sharing. I used to sleep on a couch exactly like the one described.

Otis, these Mike Bub stories are priceless - great content, thank you for sharing with us!

Freeborn man. Thanks Otis great video @

I believe it's a traditional but...when Jimmy Martin plays Sophronie he makes it his own

Lord, I'm Coming Home is a great gospel song Jimmy sings. One if my favorites.

nice

Thanks for the video! I love bluegrass, especially 40s~60s traditional bluegrass sound. Monroe, Stanley, Flatt&Scruggs, Osborne, Jim&Jesse, Mac Wiseman, Reno&Smiley these are still best of the best. But Jimmy Martin will always be my favorite, "The King Of Bluegrass". His rhythm guitar playing, high lonesome voice, and many talented musicians in his band(J D Crowe, Paul Williams, Bill Emerson, Alan Munde, Vernon Derrick, even Doyle Lawson) made his bluegrass style unique. "Widow Maker" "Sophronie" "20-20 Vision" "My Walking Shoes" "Tennessee" "Hit Parade Of Love" "The Last Song" "Poor Ellen Smith" "Truck Driver's Queen" "Freeborn Man" "I'm Coming Back But I Don't Know When" "Mr Engineer" and those country&bluegrass "Milwaukee Here I Come" "Grand Opry Song"... Nothing better than a Jimmy Martin song. Jimmy not only made music but bluegrass standards!

Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys rock!

Man I wish I had that couch and chair!

Again, thanks Otis. More Mike Bub please. Good to hear some stuff about Jimmy Martin that makes me laugh in a good way.

Widow Maker all the way. Super channel

Jimmy Martin was a character. Saw him at a lot of festivals. Another great story Otis.

When I was 14yrs young Jimmy Martin wanted me to come to play mandolin with him. That was in 1973…Vernon Derrick was leaving and he wanted me to fill his spot. My parents had other plans and wanted me to go to college. Oh well. You can’t win them all.

My brother in law Larry Wallace played banjo for Jimmy Martin band.

I never liked Bluegrass till...JIMMY MARTIN 20 20 VISIOVISION. That changed everything!

My Walking Shoes. Love the breakfast story. Reminds me of how it's been a while since the last bluegrass festival. Late night jamming and up with the Sun cause the tent's already too hot. Great video n Bub stories!

There are some nice clips and interviews of him in High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music. He sure was enthusiastic about Bill Monroe.

I can remember hearing "Widow Maker" being played on the my neighbour's RCA combo TV & Stereo set. The turn table was under the lift up lif and had a record changers, held maybe 4-5 albums. On the weekends, as the rye&water drinks flowed, Widow Maker would get played. Cool memories came back as I listened to this conversation- thanks much Otis

My favorite Jimmy Martin story is from during the second Gulf War. At the Milan (MI) bluegrass festival, Jimmy says (among other things), "I know something about war - I had a brother that served in the army."

The bluegrass artist Kody Norris has the front of Pete’s doghouse preserved on his wall. His wife has posted pictures of it on social media. It’s pretty incredible.

Sunny side of the mountain and you don't know my mind are two of my favorites, hold on, I gotta throw in hit parade of love.

Jimmy on stage at Bean Blossom, had a gal from another band filling in on bass, best she could. Jimmy introduced her as her last appearance with him LMFAO! Mike came in and played the next set. Honestly, it was like night and day. Jimmy was a classic. I had a chance to sing with him that evening and like Mike said, he was big on getting right together on tone. Fun times, glad I never worked for him lol.

I definitely enjoyed this interview from a guy who held down the low end behind one of the bluegrass greats.

Truckdriver’s queen is fantastic!

Ol e pet the best

❤❤❤

Awesome viewing

I was at the IBMA at the Galt House in Louisville, I'm guessing somewhere between '98 and '01, can't remember, but we were all having a good time and had worked our way back down the the lobby area when Jimmy Martin's bus pulled up out front and in the door he came like a showman. My friend went over and talked to him for a while and then got him to sign his mandolin! For some time after that, everyone who came around razzed him about that signature on his mandolin until months, maybe a year went by and he took lighter fuel to that signature and wiped it off. Everyone was laughing with him because it was still down in the pores of the wood if you looked at it close. I don't know why that stands out in my memory, but it also seemed like the signature was all wonky and that may have been part of the joke. Back then, I'm ashamed to say I didn't know Jimmy Martin from jimmy Carter. Anyway, my my friend and jimmy Martin's souls rest in bluegrass heaven.

😆 Throwing rabbits into the crowd 🤣

Otis, I'm sure you already have, but just in case...have you read the tiny book called "true adventures with the king of bluegrass"? If you haven't, by some miracle, I'll send you my copy. An absolute must read.

Funny and sad at the same time.

STORMY WATERS w Paul Williams

👍👍

I read that Neil Young has Hank’s Martin guitar. I hope it ends up in the Smithsonian so People could see it along with Gene Krupa’s drum kit and Fonzi’s leather jacket.

If you want to know how Jimmy Martin was, read Barbara Martin Stephens' book "Don't give your heart to a rambler".