Big Stone Gap in Wise County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Carl Martin
Early Music Pioneer
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
1. Carl Martin Marker
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 performed
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 performing 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.Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KA-17.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
this page online
Location. 36° 52.022′ N, 82° 46.615′ W. Marker is in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, in Wise County. Marker is at the intersection of East 3rd Street North and Shawnee Avenue East on East 3rd Street North. It is in front of the Harry W. Meador, Jr. Coal Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 570 Shawnee Ave E, Big Stone Gap VA 24219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Big Stone Gap (approx. 0.2 miles away); Christ Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Origins of Big Stone Gap (approx. ¼ mile away); Southwest Virginia Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Big Stone Gap (approx. 0.4 miles away); Appalachia (approx. 2.7 miles away); Donelson’s Indian Line
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 17, 2015
2. Carl Martin Marker
The street sign is turned. Shawnee Avenue is in the foreground.
Regarding Carl Martin. Wikipedia entry: Carl Martin (April 1 or 15, 1906[2] – May 10, 1979) was an American Piedmont blues musician and vocalist, who was capable with a variety of instruments and musical styles.
Martin was born in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, United States. He started making records with a number of groups including the Four Keys, the Tennessee Chocolate Drops, the Wandering Troubadours and as Martin, Bogan, and Armstrong.
Additionally he accompanied Chicago musicians such as Bumble Bee Slim and Tampa Red throughout the 1930s. His solo work recorded in the 1930s is also notable, songs such as “Crow Jane” and “Old Time Blues” feature his remarkable guitar accompaniment. From this decade onwards, Martin played regularly solo in the Chicago area, with his repertoire extending across blues, jazz, pop, country, and even non-English
Photographed By J. J. Prats
3. Carl Martin - Complete Works 1
Martin reunited with Bogan, and Armstrong in the 1970s, and played at folk and blues music festivals across the States. He died in Pontiac, Michigan, in May 1979, at the age of 73.
Folk artist Steve Goodman paid tribute to Martin in his song “You Better Get it While You Can.”
Also see . . .
1. Carl Martin - Complete Works. Audio CD on Amazon.com. This page includes some song excerpts. (Submitted on November 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
2. Farewell to You Baby - Carl Martin (1936, Chicago) Piedmont Blues Guitar. Click image to play.
Farewell to You Baby - Carl Martin (1936, Chicago) Piedmont Blues Guitar
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 747 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
