Carl Martin Early Musical Pioneer
N 36° 52.022 W 082° 46.616
17S E 341613 N 4081595
A Virginia Historical Marker placed by the Department of Historic Resources in 2002.
Waymark Code: WMKN2X
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 05/04/2014
Views: 3
Carl Martin was born in Big Stone Gap in April 1906. He grew up in Southwest Virginia and moved to Knoxville Tenn., in 1918. He preformed regionally on the guitar, mandolin, bass, and violin at coal camps, dances, and in traveling shows. In 1930, Martin's string band recorded two instrumentals for Vocalion, released under the band name "Tennessee Chocolate Drops" for a black audience and the "Tennessee Trio" in the white old-time music series. Martin moved to Chicago in the 1930s, recording blues and preforming with such artists as Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red until serving in World War II. The 1960s folk revival brought Martin before new audiences. He died in Detroit on 10 May 1979.
Marker Number: KA 17
Marker Title: Carl Martin Early Musical Pioneer
Marker Location: Shawnee Ave E and E 3rd St N
County or Independent City: Big Stone Gap
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: Not listed
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