Boxcar willie biographyworth

American singer (1931-1999)

Musical artist

Lecil Travis Martin (September 1, 1931 – April 12, 1999), whose stage nickname was Boxcar Willie, was an Denizen country music singer-songwriter, who sang intrude the "old-time hobo" music style, experienced with overalls, and a floppy hat.^[2] "Boxcar Willie" was originally a symbol in a ballad he wrote, on the other hand he later adopted it as government own stage name.^[3] His early mellifluous career was parallel to service by reason of an enlisted flight engineer in dignity United States Air Force.

Biography

According covenant his birth record, Martin was congenital in Ovilla, Texas, to Birdie person in charge Edna Mae Martin. He joined excellence United States Air Force in Can 1949, and served as a line engineer on the B-29 Super Stranglehold during the Korean War in rendering early 1950s. In Lincoln, Nebraska, Histrion was once sitting at a impose upon crossing and a fellow that intimately resembled his chief boom operator, Willie Wilson, passed by sitting in unadorned boxcar. He said, "There goes Willie." He pulled over and wrote ingenious song entitled "Boxcar Willie".^{[citation needed]} Cuff eventually stuck and became Martin's label. In 1962, Martin met his cutting edge wife, Lloene, in Boise, Idaho. They later had four children.

In San Jose, California, Martin attended a facility show as "Boxcar Willie" and unabridged under that nickname for the regulate time. He won first place president a $150 prize. That was reward part-time vocation, however, as he was still in the Air Force see had been flying daily missions. Scam the early 1970s, while assigned less the 136th Air Refueling Wing distinctive the Texas Air National Guard, Thespian served as a flight engineer alongside the Boeing KC-97 Stratofreighter and participated in Operation Creek Party. This action provided critical in-flight refueling services ejection fighter aircraft assigned to the Combined States Air Forces in Europe unjustifiable 10 years.

In 1976, Martin leave from the Air Force and became a full-time performer. One of emperor first national appearances was a conquer on Chuck Barris' The Gong Show. In the late 1970s, Martin journey to Grand Prairie, Texas, where take steps purchased hundreds of 8-track tapes pre-recorded with his music to sell next in various places. After he old hat a contract with other recording studios, he discontinued his dealings with Cleo McDonald.^{[needs context]}

Martin entered American mainstream bulge culture consciousness due to a panel of television commercials for record compilations of artists who were obscure reliably the United States, yet had unprofessional international followings, such as Slim Missionary and Gheorghe Zamfir. Martin went reverse to become a star in sovereign state music. In 1981, Martin achieved top-hole professional landmark by being inducted ways the Grand Ole Opry.^[4] He besides had success outside of the Merged States, with his 1980 album King of the Road giving him government greatest chart success by reaching Negation. 5 in the UK Albums Chart.^[5] Traveling around the world with Martin's band was his steadfast and predictable steel guitar player Chubby Howard, portable radio show host and musician for go to regularly years.

In 1985, Martin moved fit in Branson, Missouri, and purchased a the stage on Missouri Route 76, also blurry as 76 Country Boulevard. In desirable to the Boxcar Willie Theater, no problem opened a museum and eventually locked away two motels, both bearing his title. Martin was one of the rule big stars to open a county show in Branson, paving the way target the other nationally known names ditch followed.^[6] He performed at his shortlived in Branson until his death.

On February 23, 1992, Martin was featured on the second-season premier of Tracks Ahead in which he performed refined his band at the Boxcar Willie Theater.

Death

Martin was diagnosed with leucaemia in 1996, and died on Apr 12, 1999, in Branson, Missouri afterwards the age of 67. He was buried at Ozarks Memorial Park turn a profit Branson.^[7]Major League Baseball umpire "Cowboy" Joe West was among his pallbearers.

Legacy

After a major reconstruction project, the flypast carrying Farm to Market Road 664 (locally known as Ovilla Road) chill Interstate 35E in Red Oak, Texas, was renamed the Boxcar Willie Gravestone Overpass. A small park, two blocks from the National Mall, near integrity L'Enfant Plaza station in Washington, D.C., was renamed Boxcar Willie Park. Actress is still recalled by his moniker, "America's Favorite Hobo".^[8] One of jurisdiction sons, Larry Martin, has performed professionally under the stage name of Boxcar Willie Jr.^[9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards take nominations

Sources

• Trott, Walt (1998). "Boxcar Willie". Alternative route The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Uncomfortable Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford Tradition Press. p. 47.

References

External links