Press Kit

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) 569-1018

bluegrassmartins@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 6677

Jefferson City, MO 65102

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Facts About The Martins

Genre: Bluegrass,

Acoustic Country,

Bluegrass Gospel

The Martins are:

Larita - Dobro and Vocals

Janice - Banjo and Vocals

Dale - Guitar and Vocals

Jeana - Fiddle and Vocals

Elvin - Bass and Vocals

Lee - Mandolin and Vocals

Anne - Clogging and Fiddle

From Jefferson City, Missouri this bands first performance on stage as a working band was a mere ten years ago. Since that time they have gained notoriety nationwide as one of the best young bands to come along in a great while! Staying busy performing coast to coast from week to week, their talent and popularity grows continually. The Martins are a high energy, fun loving family group that will entertain you with their traditional and contemporary efforts. Bringing to you a number of fan favorites and some original songs with spine tingling harmony along with some blistering instrumentals that will keep you glued to your seat!!!

Contact the Martins at:

(573) 569-1018

bluegrassmartins@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 6677

Jefferson City, MO 65102

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Career Highlights (Accomplishments)

22 SPBGMA Midwest Awards! (2004 - 2012)

including 2009 "Vocal Group of the Year"

and "Instrumental Band of the Year" for 8 years!

70 SPBGMA Midwest nominations! (2003 - 2012)

For a complete list of awards and nominations click here.

The Martins are the 2007 SPBGMA International Band Championship Winners

2002 Silver Dollar City 'Youth In Bluegrass' Contest Winners

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...

WMBD 31 - Peoria, IL

Pepper and Friends - KOMU TV-8 - Columbia, MO

KAIT TV 8 - Jonesboro, AR

Live Radio Broadcasts...

KRLL 1420 am - California, MO

Saturday Morning Classic Country Show - KS95 95.1 fm - Versailles, MO

High Lonesome Sound - KOPN 89.5 fm - Columbia, MO

Contact the Martins at:

(573) 569-1018

bluegrassmartins@hotmail.com

P.O. Box 6677

Jefferson City, MO 65102

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CD Reviews

June 4, 2008

CD - In Transition

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

August, 2008

"Cold Lonely Night"

The talented Martin family consists of Larita (age 17) on Dobro; Janice (19) on banjo; Dale (20) on guitar; Jeana (21) on fiddle, and dad Elvin Martin, on bass. Each member’s vocal prowess permits great diversity in song presentation. The band is passionate about the music they began playing in 1999; amazingly, their exciting style of bluegrass is self-taught. Each member not only contributes to tight vocal arrangements, but also provides strong instrumental support. This project is enjoyable, hard-driving bluegrass from start to finish. The family's list of accomplishments so far includes a first-place finish at the 2007 SPBGMA International Band Championship, and and first place at the 2002 Silver Dollar City Youth In Bluegrass contest.Highlights on this CD include the tight harmony and high lonesome sound of “Lonesome Whistle.” The ensemble shines on the straight-ahead catchy title track. No-one will question this band’s instrumental talents after listening to “Tom And Jerry” or a brisk “Knee Deep In Bluegrass” This family’s impressive debut is totally satisfying, and their potential seemingly unlimited. This reviewer looks forward to their next release.

Bob Mitchell - Bluegrass Now Magazine

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22 SPBGMA Midwest Awards!

2012 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

Larita - *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Performer of the Year*

Jeana - *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

2011 Jeana - *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

2010 *Instrumental Band of the Year*!!

Dale - *2010 Guitar Performer of the Year*

Janice - *2010 Banjo Performer of the Year*

2009 *Instrumental Group of the Year* (6th consecutive year)

*Vocal Group of the Year*

Larita - *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Performer of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar Performer of the Year*

2008 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

2007 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

Larita - *Dobro Player of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

2006 *Bluegrass Band of the Year Contemporary*

*Instrumental Group of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

2005 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

2004 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

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70 SPBGMA Midwest nominations!

2012 *Entertaining Group of the Year*

*Instrumental Group of the Year*

*Vocal Group of the Year*

*Bluegrass Album of the Year - World Of Our Own*

Elvin *Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year*

*Entertainer of the Year*

Larita *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Dale *Guitar Performer of the Year*

Janice *Banjo Performer of the Year*

Jeana *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

*Female Vocalist of the Year - Traditional*

2011 *Entertaining Group of the Year*

*Vocal Group of the Year*

*Instrument Band of the year*

Dale *Guitar Performer of the Year*

Elvin *Bass Performer of the Year*

Larita *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Jeana *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

Janice *Banjo Performer of the Year*

2010 *Vocal Group of the Year*

*Instrument Band of the year*

Dale *Guitar Performer of the Year*

Dale *Male Vocalist of the Year Traditional*

Elvin *Bass Performer of the Year*

Larita *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Jeana *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

Janice *Banjo Performer of the Year*

2009 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

*Vocal Group of the Year*

*Album of the Year* (Cold Lonely Night)

*Entertaining Group of the Year*

Janice - *Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional)*

Janice - *Banjo Performer of the Year*

Elvin - *Bass Performer of the Year*

Jeana - *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar Performer of the Year*

Larita - *Dobro Performer of the Year*

2008 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

*Bluegrass Band of the Year (Contemporary)*

*Entertaining Group of the Year*

Larita - *Dobro Performer of the Year*

Jeana - *Fiddle Performer of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar Performer of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Performer of the Year*

Janice - *Female vocalist of the year (traditional)*

2007 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

*Bluegrass Band of the Year (Contemporary)*

Jeana - *Fiddle Player of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar player of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

Larita - * Dobro Player of the Year*

2006 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

*Bluegrass Band of the Year (Contemporary)*

Elvin - *Bass Player of the Year*

Jeana - *Fiddle Player of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar player of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

Larita - * Dobro Player of the Year*

2005 *Bluegrass Album of the Year* - Blue Side Of Lonesome

*Bluegrass Band of the Year (Contemporary)*

Jeana - *Fiddle Player of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar player of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

Larita - * Dobro Player of the Year*

2004 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

Jeana - *Fiddle Player of the Year*

Dale - *Guitar player of the Year*

Janice - *Banjo Player of the Year*

Larita - * Dobro Player of the Year*

2003 *Instrumental Group of the Year*

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2007

They won 1st place in the SPBGMA International Band Championship in Nashville, TN

2004

4th Place in the SPBGMA International Band Championship in Nashville, TN

2003

13th Place in the SPBGMA International Band Championship in Nashville, TN

2002

1st Place - "Youth In Bluegrass" band contest at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO

2001

1st Place Lewis and Scott Bluegrass Reunion Band Contest, Grassy, MO

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