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Jimmy Martin was just twenty-two years old when Bill Monroe asked him to join the Blue Grass Boys.That invitation was the start of a career that spanned half a century and culminated with MartinÂ's induction into the International Bluegrass Music AssociationÂ's Hall of Honor.Always an enigmatic figure, Martin was as famous for his temper as he was for his talent.

On assignment from the Oxford American magazine, fiction writer and music critic Tom Piazza drove from his home in New Orleans to Nashville to interview Martin and found himself pitched headlong into a world he couldnÂ't have anticipated.MartinÂ's mercurial personality drew the writer into a series of escalating encounters (with mean dogs, broken-down cars, and near electrocution), culminating in a harrowing and unforgettable expedition, with Martin, to the Grand Ole Opry.

Though, or perhaps because, visits to the Opry like the one Piazza recounts were common for Martin, and though he frequently played on its stage and always hoped to become a member, he died before seeing his dream fulfilled.True Adventures with the King of Bluegrass is the funny, scary, and powerfully poignant portrait of one of the legends of American music.

Co-published with the Country Music Foundation Press ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

True Adventures with the King of Bluegrass: Jimmy Martin
The book was informative but a bit disappointing in that it did not cover Mr. Martin's early life.It is a shame that a man with such potential ended up as an alcoholic.

So-so sketch
This is a pretty thin book in more than one way. The article that takes most of the room here is rambling and somewhat amateurishly-written (and poorly edited: "alright"? "Try and arrange..."?) The long sequence backstage at the Opry is interesting and cringe-inducing, but does little really to add any depth to the personality--just a longer look at a tiresome drunk, very sad.

Jimmy Martin is a fascinating, larger-than-life figure, to be sure, and this does give a taste of that, but it's an article, not a book. There's a possibly useful overview of Martin's recordings at the back.

A great, albeit quick, read!
I'm so tired of music biographies where the subject is either villainized or practically canonized; none of us are perfect saints, nor are we completely evil.That's why I always find it refreshing when a writer presents the true person, most of whom are a little of both.Piazza has done that here.

Martin is something of a tragic figure; a mad genius.In candid interviews, Piazza has found all the good in the man, as well as peeled back some of the bad.He shows that if Martin had been born in another era, or been a king of another genre, he would have been a hero, but in the holier-than-thou bluegrass scene, the hard-living Martin was considered something of a black sheep, despite his obvious brilliance.

This is a great book, and definitely one of the best music biographies ever written.

A Snapshot of the King of Bluegrass
Tom Piazza has written a piece which captures with photographic detail several hours spent in the company of the Mad 3-chord Genius (as Marty Stuart writes in his forward) and Self-Proclaimed King of Bluegrass, Jimmy Martin.This "book" is essentially a fleshed out magazine article, but it's a good one.Less than 100 pages and written in a style that moves right along while giving you a "you are there" first person sense,it's an enlightening way to pass an hour or two.

Mr. Piazza has a keen and insightful sense of Jimmy Martin's musical genius and place in Bluegrass History, and to me the most poignant moments in the book are when the writer is moving to shield or protect the intoxicated, loud-mouthed King of Bluegrass from injuring his already mussed reputation.As he observes, much of what makes Jimmy Martin "great" also dooms him to the edges of the limelight and that Grand Ol' Opry Membership that Jimmy Martin yearns for so badly will likely never happen, exactly for the reason of his unwillingness to back down or compromise.

This isn't a "biography" so much as a thumbnail sketch of who Jimmy Martin is framed in a skillful depiction of a few volatile hours spent with a prime example of the "Tortured Artist".

I can't help but wonder if a well-written first-person account of a weekend spent with Van Gogh would have been eerily similar.

sequel please!!!
What a great little book!

Jimmy Martin, arguably the greatest bluegrass singer who ever lived, is one of music's most colorful and fascinating studies.I've seen films about him, and even wrote a song about him ("Jimmy Martin", recorded by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recently), and listened to many recordings.This book gracefully captures the absurdity of the singer's life, a wry yet sympathetic document.

Marty Stuart's introduction is fabulous and makes me want to read his book as well.

This is one of the few books I've ever read where I'm audibly laughing.It is a hilarious, frightening, and sad ride.I just wish it was longer. ... Read more

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A Young Gentleman Possessing Sublime Nerve, Whimsical Imagination, Colossal Impudence, And Withal, The Heart Of A Child. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Great Read...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the Cobbles was a great read.I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover.It is a simple story of the life of the Gypsies and one family in particular, the Stockins.Most of what is written and spoken regarding Gypsies in our society is negative.I enjoyed reading about the life of the Gypsies from an insider's perspective.I have a bit of wonderlust in me and envy some of the freedoms that the Gypsies enjoy.

Add bareknuckle boxing, pubs, beer, and witty humor and you've got yourself a quick and enjoyable read.These are the kind of folks I could have a few pints with, some good crack, and maybe a scrap or two.

Cheers! ... Read more

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"Martin & Meditations"Jimmy Santiago Baca(Author), Denise Levertov(Introduction); New Directions(1987); 1sted/ 1stprint, HB; VGVG; Not bk club, Not ex-lib, NOT remainder; HB-blue w/gold lettering, spine strong, boards flat, minimal edgewear; DJ- Wht w/blk+wht pictorial, slightly sunned, minimal edgewear, no chips; 104pp clean, bo bumping, pgs flat; An acclaimed Chicano poet, Baca is renowned for lyrical/auto-biographical verse, in which he mingles experiences of rage/dispossession as former convict w/poetic narratives of spiritual regeneration, renewed connection with his community & ethnic heritage; "Martin," a semi-autobiographical narrative that relates the story of Martin, a mythic poor Chicano, in which Chicano folk life is described in memorable, original metaphors, diction(including some Chicano Spanish) that form pictures like punched art in old tin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Walking the dusty streets of our hearts
"Martin and Meditations on the South Valley" provide the clearest voice for the dispossessed gente--la raza--of Aztlan. JSB is the greatest living writer among Chicanos simply because he captures the anger, the despair and the violence that oppression breeds among Chicanos. His brilliance is that he simultaneously captures the beauty, the love, the humanity of a people who have never lost touch with their lands, their families, their culture,their indigenous roots and their humanity.

jimmy writes from the heart
Jimmy Santiago Baca writes of experiences that most people will never have, except through the reading of this epic poem...many may think that they have a 'hard' life, but to read the author's story is to have but aglimpse of thebeauty and pain that he has lived, and survived, and becomestronger from...his story is one that is lived by many, but written of bysofew...I hope that you read this book and achieve the insight andunderstanding of his true heroism, in the face of unbelievable odds, thatwould surely break all of us whonever lived on the streets ,or who neverhad to learn of the power of the written word while in prison....he hasreturned from the ashes to tell a story of rebirth through true poetry, ofsurvival not imagined, but lived....I work with young adults every day thatmust overcome the obstacles that Jimmy Santiago Baca has survived...and Ihope that the reader learns from what he has written...poetry has the powerto heal, and this book won a national award because it is truely specialand unique, as is the author...thank you...

Beautiful verse and surreal imagery!
Beautiful verse and surreal imagery!Jimmy Santiago Baca allows the reader a glimpse of Latino-American life in Martin & Meditations on the South Valley.This book is a highly recommended read, both for its poetic value and introspective quality ... Read more

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Chapters: Johnny Carey, Kevin O'flanagan, Con Martin, Jimmy Dunne, Tommy Breen, Billy Walsh, Paddy Sloan, Alex Stevenson, Frank O'farrell, Jimmy Mcalinden, Davy Walsh, Paddy Moore, Tom Aherne, Reg Ryan, Jimmy Kelly, Tommy Eglington, Peter Farrell, Tommy Godwin, Jackie Vernon, Harry Duggan, Bill Gorman, Tom Davis, Matt O'mahoney, Paddy Coad, Jackie Brown, Bill Hayes, Billy Mcmillan, Owen Madden, Paddy Bradshaw, Mick O'flanagan, Ned Weir, Fred Horlacher, Sean Fallon, Tommy Moroney, Peter Corr, Johnny Gavin, John Feenan, Paddy Farrell, Alf Ringstead, Davy Jordan, Florrie Burke, Mick Hoy, Peter Desmond, Tommy Donnelly, Billy Richardson, Willie Hayes, Hugh Connolly, Owen Kinsella, Robin Lawler, Brendan O'kelly, Frank Glennon, Tommy Foy, Bobby Smith, Emmet Mcloughlin. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 226. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: John Joseph "Johnny" Carey (23 February 1919 in Dublin, Ireland 22 August 1995 in Macclesfield, England), also known as Jackie Carey, was an Irish footballer and manager. As a player Carey spent most of his career at Manchester United, where he was team captain from 1946 until he retired as a player in 1953. He was also a dual internationalist, playing for and captaining both Ireland teams the FAI XI and the IFA XI. In 1947 he also captained a Europe XI which played a Great Britain XI at Hampden Park. In 1949 he was voted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and in the same year captained the FAI XI that defeated England 20 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. Carey was also the first non-UK player and the first Irishman to captain a winning team in both an FA Cup Final and the First Division. Like his contemporary Con Martin, Carey was an extremely versatile footballer and played in nine differen...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=1497850 ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Adonis Jordan, Darryl Dawkins, Russell Carter, Stephen Graham, Darrick Martin, Jimmy King, Victor Page, Randy Livingston, Ike Nwankwo, Anthony Avent, Bobby Phills, Will Blalock, Richard Melzer, Renaldo Major, Tim Breaux, Jeff Varem. Excerpt:Position: Point Guard Adonis Adelecino Jordan (born August 21, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player. An All-Big Eight guard who played collegiately at the University of Kansas , Jordan was the starting point guard during the school's 1991 and 1993 Final Four appearances. Together with shooting guard teammate Rex Walters , the two established Kansas as having one of the top backcourts in the NCAA during the 1992 93 season. He was later drafted in the 1993 NBA Draft but only appeared in only 10 career games in the league (six with the Denver Nuggets during the 1993 94 season and four with the Milwaukee Bucks during the lockout -shortened 1998 99 NBA season) and spent the bulk of his professional career playing overseas with various basketball clubs. Early life Adonis Jordan was born as the fourth son to Josephine Jordan in Brooklyn , New York . His mother named her son after the Greek mythological character Adonis , a handsome young man who was fabled to be the love interest of the goddess Aphrodite . Mrs. Jordan worked as a secretary for an insurance company while her son spent his time playing pick-up street basketball on Brooklyn blacktop courts. Jordan's mother enrolled Adonis across town at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, New York . Although the decision necessitated a 45 minute commute each way, Ms. Jordan could be assured that her son would receive an education in a safer environment compared to their Brooklyn surroundings. Adonis Jordan played high school basketball at Roosevelt High and blossomed in h... ... Read more

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Chapters: Frank Sinatra, Vince Guaraldi, Henry Mancini, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Vic Damone, Morgana King, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Chick Corea, Al Martino, John Pizzarelli, Art Pepper, Adrian Rollini, Chris Botti, Al Di Meola, Guy Lombardo, Roberta Gambarini, Pete Candoli, Joey Defrancesco, Johnny Desmond, Russ Columbo, Carl Fontana, Conte Candoli, Don Cornell, Mike Mosiello, Buddy Defranco, Anthony Gorruso, Dodo Marmarosa, Buddy Greco, Candy Candido, Carmen Mastren, Jimmy Bruno, Gia Maione, John Defrancesco, Joe Labarbera, Chieli Minucci, Judi Silvano, Charlie Ventura, Lin Biviano, Phil Napoleon, Frank Signorelli, Tony Pastor. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 287. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Morgana King (also known as 'Mo' / 'Moe') is an American singer and actress. She is a noted jazz singer, who is regarded as a "musician's singer." The musical oeuvre of her stylized vocal artistry spans a period of more than four decades and has an "appeal that bridges generations, tastes and life styles". "She is, like all great singers, first and foremost an interpreter, a sensitive actress a classic vocal instrument." - Charles A. Pomerantz A sometime actress, she is well known for her appearance in the role of Carmella Corleone in the 1972 and 1974 film releases titled Mario Puzos The Godfather and Mario Puzos The Godfather: Part II respectively. Morgana King (née Maria Grazia Morgana Messina on June 4, 1930) was born in Pleasantville, New York. Her parents were of Sicilian descent "from Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Province de Catania, Sicily." Her mother and father were the only members of their respective families to immigrate to the United States. The name DeBerardini(s) has been misidentified with her birth name. The name, DeBerardini(s), is actually from her second...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=3882647 ... Read more

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Chapters: Blaise Alexander, Fireball Roberts, Russell Phillips, Speedy Thompson, Eric Martin, Jimmy Pardue. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 24. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Blaise Alexander (March 26, 1976 October 4, 2001) was a stock car racer from Montoursville, Pennsylvania. He began racing at the age of 12 in go-karts, winning the coveted World Karting Association East Regional championship in 1992. In 1995, he moved south to Mooresville, North Carolina and was named Rookie of the Year in the ARCA series the following year. Over his ARCA career, he won three times. In 1997, he began running NASCAR in the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. He only tasted modest success but was signed on to run for Team SABCO in the Busch Series in 2000, posting two top-ten finishes and finishing 25th in points. After that year, he decided to return to the ARCA series for more experience. On October 4, 2001, during the EasyCare 100 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Alexander was battling Kerry Earnhardt for the lead when their cars touched, sending Earnhardt flipping upside-down through the infield while Alexander crashed into the outside retaining wall nearly head-on. Earnhardt made it out unscathed, but Alexander was taken to the hospital unconscious and showing no pulse. Within 25 minutes, he was pronounced dead. His death, the sixth stock car racing fatality in two years, convinced NASCAR to mandate the HANS device for all drivers. Upon arriving in North Carolina, Alexander also enjoyed a close friendship with fellow Busch rookie driver and eventual NASCAR superstar, Jimmie Johnson, as they competed against each other on the track, while supporting each other off it. Alexander's memory has been honored by Jimmie Johnson in several public and private ways. Johnson dedicated his first Nascar ...http://booksllc.net/?id=3372287 ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Title: Fresh Every Hour; Detailing the Adventures, Comic and Pathetic of One Jimmy Martin, Purveyor of Publicity, a Young Gentleman Possessing Sublime Nerve, Whimsical Imagination, Colossal Impudence, And, Withal, the Heart of a Child; Original Publisher: New York : Boni and Liveright; Publication date: 1922; ... Read more

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Female Field Hockey Players From Northern Ireland, Stephen Martin, Jimmy Kirkwood, Jack Bowden, Gillian Sewell, Jenny Mcdonough, Jackie Mcwilliams, Jill Orbinson, Angela Platt, Bridget Mckeever, William Mcconnell, Jullian Stevenson. Excerpt: Stephen ("Sam") Alexander Martin MBE (born April 13, 1959 in Bangor, County Down) is a former field hockey player who was a member of the golden winning Great Britain squad at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Four years earlier, at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he secured the bronze medal with his team. He captained the Great Britain team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona before moving into sports administration. Martin has 229 International caps for Ireland and Great Britain (135 Ireland and 94 GB). He competed in 3 European Cups (1983/87/91) and one World Cup (1990) with Ireland. He represented Great Britain at 10 Champion Trophies winning bronze in 1984 (Karachi,Pakistan)and Silver in 1985 (Perth, Australia). Martin left his post as Deputy Chief Executive with the British Olympic Association in December 2005 to become the first chief executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland. He played a key role in London's bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. He is an alumnus of the Bangor Grammar School and the University of Ulster, Jordanstown where he graduated in 1985 with an Honours Degree in Sports Studies and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2000. ... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=3076646 ... Read more

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A Young Gentleman Possessing Sublime Nerve, Whimsical Imagination, Colossal Impudence, And Withal, The Heart Of A Child. ... Read more

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A Young Gentleman Possessing Sublime Nerve, Whimsical Imagination, Colossal Impudence, And Withal, The Heart Of A Child. ... Read more

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Kapitel: Grateful Dead, Bill Monroe, Dixie Chicks, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, Doc Watson, Lester Flatt, Bernie Leadon, Earl Scruggs, Buzz Busby, Grateful Dawg, Wade Mainer, Asylum Street Spankers, Don Reno, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Peter Rowan, Gordon Terry, Alison Krauss, Rose Maddox, Edgar Meyer, Kentucky Colonels, Bill Reid, Herb Pedersen, Old and in the Way, Bill Clifton, Maybelle Carter, Bill Keith, J. D. Crowe, Homer Sherrill, Clarence White, Charlie Monroe, Bill Flagg, Suwanee River Jamboree, the Rowan Brothers, Infamous Stringdusters, Béla Fleck, Vern ... Read more

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En la vida no existen certezas. La fantasía y la realidad van juntas de la mano. Los cuentos de transmisión oral son el mayor de los tesoros. El amor acecha donde menos se lo espera. Los nombres definen, irremediablemente, a las personas. La imaginación está, necesariamente, ligada a la voluntad y al corazón. Amanda Keyheart va a aprender todo esto muy pronto, y la primera lección vendrá con el secuestro que va a sufrir en su propia casa. ... Read more

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Chapters: 1909 in Gaelic Games, Martin White, Jimmy Coffey, Dicksboro Gaa, 1909 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final, All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1909. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 26. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Martin White (born 31 July 1909) is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Tullaroan in Kilkenny and Blackrock in Cork and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1931 until 1938. White holds the distinction of being one of the oldest living senior All-Ireland medal winners. White was born in Lacken near Tullaroan, County Kilkenny in 1909. One of a family of fourteen he was educated locally at Bonnettstown national school before later attending St. James's CBS and St. Kieran's College, a famous hurling nursery for young talent. It was at the former institition that White first tasted success on the hurling field, winning his first medal following a victory over a Paddy Larkin captained St. Patrick's. Following his secondary education White began working for Clover Meats in Waterford in 1929. After ten years as a butcher in the city he later moved to Cork. White spent nearly a decade in the southern capital before moving to Dublin in 1948 where he became a baker. White married his wife Peg in 1947 and together they had seven children. He currently lives in Glasnevin in Dublin and maintains a keen interest in hurling affairs. White played his club hurling with the famous Tullaroan club and enjoyed much success. As a sixteen year-old he played hurling with the club's junior team until he was promoted to senior status in 1929. In his second season on the club's senior team, Tullaroan qualified for the final of the county senior championship, with Urlingford providing the oppositio...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=14603820 ... Read more