Doc Martin

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » 20 Mar 2020 8:14 pm

I was notified that Doc Martin who played steel on the Ozark Jubilee in the late 50s and early 60s has died at age 99.
When pedals were first being used, Doc put pedals on non-pedal Fenders using coat hangers and drilling a hole through the key head. This was done in the Springield, MO area where the Jubilee was taped.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 20 Mar 2020 10:43 pm

Sorry to hear this! I only met him one time, it was when he came to one of our earliest Steel Guitar Shows about 2007 at the Jubliee Theater in Marshfield, Missouri.

I had invited him to perform on my Steel Guitar Show, but he declined, and said he hadn't played the Steel Guitar in years. He was a very nice Man. Prayers for his Family and Friends!

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 21 Mar 2020 6:10 am

Terry, I attended that show and your others at the theater. Those were great shows and a wonderful time for steel players. I was aware of Doc and his contributions to the pedal steel. What great folks we have had the opportunity to meet with and enjoy. This year will test our abilities and leave us wanting more connections with our friends.

John Herb · Post by **John Herb** » 21 Mar 2020 2:39 pm

I was just watching some videos of Doc the other day playing his fender. Was trying to get in touch with him but very saddened to hear this. Rest in peace.

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 22 Mar 2020 12:52 pm

Thanks for posting, Jack. I was so honored to visit with him a couple of times. A wonderful man. RIP, Doc.

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 22 Mar 2020 8:16 pm

I first worked with Doc Martin back in 1953-54 on the old Ozark Jubilee. There was Doc, Bob White, Speedy Haworth, Slim Wilson, Chuck Bowers, Grady Martin, and Paul Mitchell. They made up the Jubilee band. Also fiddlers Cecil Brower, Johnny Gimble, and Zed Tennis. Doc was the last surviving member of that band. Later Bill Wimberly's band with Thumbs Carlisle, and Curly Chalker was the main band. When the Jubilee became Jubilee USA or Five Star Jubilee the band personnel changed and it went back to Speedy, Slim, Bob White and Paul Mitchell. Doc had quit playing steel professionally and played some in church, and then he quit for good. I got to visit the last time with Doc a few years ago at a pickin' session, and found out he'd moved to Nebraska. The dates of the Jubilee band personnel changes I can't recall because it was such a long time ago, but I remember Doc being sort of a quiet fellow with a very likable personality and a winning smile. May they all liven up the Heavenly band.

Dick Hitchcock · Post by **Dick Hitchcock** » 23 Mar 2020 4:57 am

So sorry to hear this. Doc was a dear friend and the reason I started playing steel. I met him when he came to Omaha, and was totally amazed by his steel playing....A true gentleman in every sense of the word..He will be sorely missed by a lot of us...Rest in peace old friend!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q4JRvO_UUI

Jim Means · Post by **Jim Means** » 23 Mar 2020 9:21 am

I hate to hear this. I met him once at a church where we played outside of Council Bluffs Iowa. He was very nice and we talked about the Jubilee as I grew up in the Springfield area and went to the Jubilee a several times

RIP Doc

Jim Means

Ben Rubright · Post by **Ben Rubright** » 26 Mar 2020 3:10 pm

One version of the Jubilee band had Bud Isaacs and Tommy Jackson as well.

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 26 Mar 2020 3:17 pm

Makes me sad again, another of the good guys gone. I never knew Doc personally, altho I was raised just East of Springfield, and was in the audience some times. My first experience of seeing up close & personal a steel played that wasn't a lap steel. Was amazed & enthralled; he was using some kind of wheel like tone control for effects built in to the body of his steel at that time.

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » 26 Mar 2020 3:31 pm

yes, Doc told me when Bud Isaacs was playing the Jubilee, Bud took a vacation and Doc asked to borrow his Bigsby steel so he could take it apart and duplicate it. Bud said OK just have it back together in two weeks. Doc had a local foundry copy the metal parts and he bought birds eye maple for the wood. He had Bud's guitar back together in two weeks. Doc's son Mickey still has that Bigsby copy. At some point Doc took the back neck off and his nephew Randy Martin has that.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 2 Apr 2020 11:46 am

Sad news, Doc put "Bud Isaacs" pedals on my Fender in about 1957. Ben Jack and I sent our guitars to Doc at same time. I think I remember the total bill was $106.00 on my guitar.