Masters

Hall of Honor Inductees

Benny Martin - Born May 8, 1928

During a colorful performing career spanning over five decades, Benny Martin left a legacy as one of bluegrass and country music's most creative and exciting instrumentalists and vocalists. His voice and flamboyant style of fiddle playing placed him virtually i a class by himself as an entertainer.

Born near Sparta, Tennessee, Martin was playing the fildde with "Big Jeff" on WLAC in Nashville at 16 years of age. This led to jobs with several prominent artists of the era, including fill-in work with Bill Monroe. His superb instrumental ability is likely best defined in the recorded classics on which he played fiddle with Flatt & Scruggs in 1952-'53 and Johnnie & Jack in 1954-'55.

Martin's solo career began in 1955 with records that featured his bluesy, emotive vocal style and stimulating self-accompaniment on guitar. For several years in the late 1950s he was a member of WSM's Grand Ole Opry. His many musically eclectic recordings often blended the sounds of country and bluegrass. A prolific songwriter, compositions by Benny Martin include "Ice Cold Love," "Lover Of The Town" and his sensational autobiographical "Me And My Fiddle" He died March 13, 2001.

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