The Rosewood Sessions
Mac Martin is considered to be one of the pioneers of bluegrass music. Growing up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, he learned to play guitar and perform locally. After high school and a term in the Navy, he formed the Pike County Boys in the late 1940’s and later formed the Dixie Travelers around 1955. It is this group that Martin fronted for the next twenty years or more.
After a five-year break he continued to perform and record well into the 2000’s. Martin passed away in February 2022 at the age of 96. Martin was known for his solid guitar approach and great vocals. This new five-song project is small collection which features a few of Mac’s band mates, and thus became his last studio session circa 2006.
Martin sings and plays guitar and mandolin, and is joined by Bob Martin (lead guitar), and Norm Azinger (bass). Others on the project include Brad Foust (mandolin), Keith Little (banjo), Mike Carson (fiddle), and Ron Messing (resonator guitar). With the exception of Martin’s original “Backtrackin,” the other selections are covers. “If I Lose” comes from Charlie Poole and the Stanley Brothers, “Old Lonesome Time” is taken from Sonny James and Carl Smith. There is Jimmie Davis’ “In My Heart You Will Always Be Mine” and the Louvin Brothers’ “Love and Wealth.”
This project gives one a nice look into Mac Martin’s music, his love for it, and his wonderful style.
