Press Kit
Biography
The Martins started playing music when they saw another family band perform in Branson, MO. Elvin would take the family to bluegrass festivals and music events in the community at every opportunity, even before the children could remember. When they saw another family playing music in 1999, the kids took their dad's fiddle from the closet shelf and started to mess around with it. The oldest daughter Jeana ended up with the fiddle, and Elvin bought a 3/4 size guitar from a local pawn shop. It didn't take long for Dale to get familiar with a few chords on the guitar. Dad had been able to buy a mandolin the previous year as a result of a personal goal. The three of them would play at local talent shows and jam sessions. It wasn't long before they decided they needed a bass, so Elvin bought a bass in March of 2000, and had to learn to play real fast! Then in April of 2000, someone loaned Janice a banjo, and in the following November they recorded their first cd, with Elvin, Jeana and Dale doing the vocals and Janice playing banjo on most of the tracks! The next spring they recorded their second CD featuring vocals from all four members. That year, of 2001, Larita picked up the dobro, and started learning. They were soon playing guest spots at local festivals and churches! They were being asked to return to some festivals as a part of the scheduled show, so they kind of grew into the bluegrass music scene in the midwest, and are still branching out into the national scene. They have been winning awards in the midwest, and most recently they have placed 1st in the SPBGMA International Band Championship!
What people are saying about the Martins…
I have recently met some folks that give new meaning to "On the Road again", the Martin Family Band of Versailles, MO. WOW ! What a touring schedule, but you know it doesn't surprise me one bit. What a Talented group of folks! This Family Band will entertain you like you've never been entertained before. Now I've told you about the talent, which is great, but now I'm going to tell you the best part, they are some of the very nicest, and friendliest people I've ever met, and I'm one old boy that is proud to know them. If they come to your area, you'll find out just what I mean... and if you don't go to see them, shame on you!
Bob Elston (Maine Academy of Country Music)
The Martin Family may be young in years, but their music sounds like they have been together for many years beyond their age. If you like hard driving bluegrass, with a taste of originality, you will love the fresh sound of the Martin Family Band
Steve Dilling (IIIrd Tyme Out)
Contact the Martins at:
(573) 378-0249
bluegrassmartins@mchsi.com
P.O. Box 6677
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Facts About The Martins
Genre: Bluegrass,
Acoustic Country,
Bluegrass Gospel
The Martins are:
Larita (17) - Dobro and Vocals
Janice (20) - Banjo and Vocals
Dale (21) - Guitar and Vocals
Jeana (22) - Fiddle and Vocals
Elvin (Dad) - Bass and Vocals
The Martins perform an exciting style of bluegrass music! They are all self-taught, passionate musicians that have been improving incredibly since they first started in 1999! Now they all contribute to vocal arrangements while providing strong instrumental performance as well! If you like hard driving bluegrass, you will enjoy their show!
They make their home in Jefferson City, MO since April 2007, when they moved from a small acreage in the Versailles, MO area. They have played in many parts of the country, from California to Maine, and they've even performed on a bluegrass cruise to the Bahamas! They have been averaging about 65 dates a year since 2005. They've performed in about 28 states since 2004.
Contact the Martins at:
(573) 378-0249
bluegrassmartins@mchsi.com
P.O. Box 6677
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Career Highlights (Accomplishments)
The Martins are the 2007 SPBGMA International Band Championship Winners
2002 Silver Dollar City 'Youth In Bluegrass' Contest Winners
SPBGMA Midwest Awards...
Instrumental Group of the Year - 5 years in a row (2004-2008)
Janice is 2006 and 2007 Banjo performer of the Year
Larita is 2007 Dobro Performer of the Year
plus many more nominations.
Bluegrass Festivals and other Venues
2007 Rhonda Vincent Bahamas Bluegrass Cruise
Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO
Music In The Mountains - Summersville, WV
Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival - Sidney, ME
Podunk Bluegrass Festival - East Hartford, CT
Franklin Bluegrass Festival - Franklin, KY
Blythe Bluegrass Festival - Blythe, CA
Starvey Creek Bluegrass Festival - Conway, MO
Turkey Track Bluegrass Festival - Waldron, AR
Television Appearances...
Pepper and Friends - KOMU TV-8 - Columbia, MO
KAIT TV 8 - Jonesboro, AR
Live Radio Broadcasts...
Saturday Morning Classic Country Show - KS95 95.1- Versailles, MO
High Lonesome Sound - KOPN 89.5 - Columbia, MO
Contact the Martins at:
(573) 378-0249
bluegrassmartins@mchsi.com
P.O. Box 6677
Jefferson City, MO 65102
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Articles About The Martins
The family that plays together
In just four years the Martin family learns to play and makes a name for itself
Rural Missouri - Nov. 2004 http://www.ruralmissouri.org/04pages/04NovMartins.html
The Family That Plays Together
Missouri Life - Aug. 2006 http://www.missourilife.com/category/63/article/199
CD Reviews
June 4, 2008
CD - In Transition Comments
Cold Lonely Night
I started off playing "In Transition" & you had me after the first song.
"This is the real deal with the real feel". No frills bluegrass. Just great
straight ahead stuff. There were many high points within the project:
beautiful lead & harmony singing, excellent instrumental work, but what
I thought was the big deal was the song selection. You just had a great
balance of tried & true traditional songs mixed in with other lesser known
songs. You picked many songs that are not played anymore but have a big
following such as; Hey Lonesome, Hello Trouble, & Who'll Sing For Me.
Beautiful acappella on Who'll Sing. Both projects went 1,000 mph & didn't
stop for anything. You had to listen to them several times in order to get
the full impact of the fine lyrics, beautiful singing, and the fervor and
enthusiasm in their voices. I played "In Transition" in its entirety and my
request line was ringing off the hook. I'm sure "Cold Lonely Night" will
have the same impact. The more you hear these projects the more you
want to continue to hear them.
Al Shusterman - KCBL/Backroads Bluegrass - Sacramento, CA
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