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R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 04/22/2022: 21:50:33
Just thinking of Bill Martin (mwc9725e).
I miss him here.
Was just listening again to some of the songs he posted on his homepage.
He really was a great musician.
He was also a U.S. Marine who fought at the Chosin Reservoir.
Semper Fi, Bill
and thanks for the music
and your friendship.
banjo bill-e - Posted - 04/23/2022: 00:41:49
He sure had an honest voice. I could listen to him all day. Thanks for the reminder, R.D.
Adam Harr - Posted - 04/23/2022: 12:55:22
I often listen to Mr. Martin's songs on YouTube. Pure perfection in my book. I learned about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign through someone posting about his service. I shiver to imagine what Mr. Martin went through and wonder at the human spirit that survives to make such humane music.
JSB88 - Posted - 05/15/2022: 02:34:48
Coming to this one a little late as I have been avoiding internet for a while. Can't praise Mr Martin enough. As I have said before, I came across Rye Whiskey one day when searching YouTube for Nick Cave's version and I was utterly captivated. Because of his music I was inspired (eventually, after a couple of years of exploring the styles) to try to learn the banjo. I could never try to emulate his playing as it is infused with history and his own understanding and experience, but I will always be proud to sight him as my original inspiration.
m06 - Posted - 05/15/2022: 07:04:46
I’m a long-time admirer of Bill’s music here. And I miss him too.
There is a quality to his recordings that goes to the heart of the music of us ordinary folks: communication and connection. It’s not a lyrics thing. It’s far subtler and deeper than that. Simultaneously deceptively simple and honestly affecting. And that combination can’t be ‘trained’.
It’s an undefinable but unmistakeable quality. We instinctively recognise it when we hear it.
Through his music Bill had the gift of being able to express a part of who he is and what it is to live, and in doing that he connected with and moved others. Listening to his music will always have that powerful effect on me.
Edited by - m06 on 05/15/2022 07:19:02
m06 - Posted - 05/15/2022: 07:24:51
Bill Martin’s 2016 obituary, along with many tributes, were posted to the Hangout here:
banjohangout.org/archive/325557
Edited by - m06 on 05/15/2022 07:26:15
JSB88 - Posted - 05/15/2022: 08:39:17
Beautiful. Right foot on the platform...
Even on a rainy Sunday afternoon in England, I am filling up...
Don Borchelt - Posted - 05/17/2022: 13:45:37
quote:
Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford
Just thinking of Bill Martin (mwc9725e).
I miss him here.
Was just listening again to some of the songs he posted on his homepage.
He really was a great musician.
He was also a U.S. Marine who fought at the Chosin Reservoir.
Semper Fi, Bill
and thanks for the music
and your friendship.
I miss Bill, too. I remember when he first started posting his recordings around 2008 or so, he was a bit hesitant at the very first. But the other members here gave him plenty of encouragement, and he quickly gained confidence, and made some of the Hangout's truly inspired contributions. Banjo is a rewarding journey, but it has its steep paths along the way. Folks here have always been wonderful about helping each other as we make the trip. Let's just hope there will be some banjo where Bill has gone ahead of us.
- Don B.
Helix - Posted - 06/15/2022: 03:21:23
You know we could all sit around and just look at a bunch of banjos.
But the "Manual Override" nature of this forum favors the actual living music.
Thank you R.D.
Now Bill Martin, he was tall and slender
Better known by being a bartender.
RV6 - Posted - 06/16/2022: 16:04:36
quote:
Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford
Bill was there- 30+ degrees below zero, surrounded, outnumbered 10 to 1.
"Freedom Isn't Free"
CHOSIN, a Korean War documentary film by Brian Iglesias - YouTube
Warning: Combat footage. Graphic interviews.
Thanks for posting that R.D. There were more videos that followed.
You and I and many around our age are aware of this conflict (as well as Vietnam) but my kids and grandson's were never exposed to these conflicts in school. And that's very sad. And, pretty upsetting to me.
Edited by - RV6 on 06/16/2022 16:05:41
R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/17/2022: 18:10:02
RV6
I'm with you 100% RV6. "The Forgotten War" they called it. I think we lost something like 30,000 men. In the late '60's we lost a good number of soldiers in ongoing bordrer skirmishes with the North. Reminds me of a quote from a soldier in Marlborough's army in the 1600's:
"God and the soldier we adore
In time of danger not before
The trouble past and all things righted
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."
I once saw a show on Vietnam Vets taking a return trip to Vietnam in the '90's (?).
The young Vietnamese they encountered knew nearly nothing about the war- now that is truly unbelievable!
By the way, I passed through Buffalo on may way to Yellowstone last week. Your home state is beautiful as are the folks who live there. Polite and friendly. A large portion of our country could learn a lot from them these days.
Thanks for your reply. You're appreciated.
Edited by - R.D. Lunceford on 06/17/2022 18:21:13
RV6 - Posted - 06/19/2022: 06:26:32
quote:
Originally posted by R.D. Lunceford
RV6
I'm with you 100% RV6. "The Forgotten War" they called it. I think we lost something like 30,000 men. In the late '60's we lost a good number of soldiers in ongoing bordrer skirmishes with the North. Reminds me of a quote from a soldier in Marlborough's army in the 1600's:
"God and the soldier we adore
In time of danger not before
The trouble past and all things righted
God is forgotten and the soldier slighted."
I once saw a show on Vietnam Vets taking a return trip to Vietnam in the '90's (?).
The young Vietnamese they encountered knew nearly nothing about the war- now that is truly unbelievable!
By the way, I passed through Buffalo on may way to Yellowstone last week. Your home state is beautiful as are the folks who live there. Polite and friendly. A large portion of our country could learn a lot from them these days.
Thanks for your reply. You're appreciated.
Sounds like you made your trip to Yellowstone just in the nick of time
Stop for a visit the next time you're here.
And thanks for starting this thread honoring a great man and reminding us to remember those who served their country throughout our country's history.
Jim E. - Posted - 06/26/2022: 08:25:19
Mr. Martin is indeed missed. His playing had soul. There are a number of former Marines in our family, myself among them, and in the Corps those who fought in such iconic campaigns as Chosin are revered. My own PMI in boot camp was a veteran of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Korea. The respect due to such men for their contributions and sacrifice is immeasurable.
R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/29/2022: 03:18:54
The greatest privilege I've been accorded is having had the honor of wearing the same uniform as Bill and yourself and being numbered among you.
Thank you for posting.
SF;
RD
Edited by - R.D. Lunceford on 06/29/2022 03:21:22
