Tag Jamie Martin

Paul Martin, Rockland Road sow seeds through music

John Herndon 2 Comments
Paul Martin, right, plays the guitar while members of his family group, Rockland Road, sing ‘God Bless the USA’ at the Kentucky State Fair, August 18, 2024. From left are March, Jamie, Texas, Kell and Paul Martin.

Excellence in multiple genres has led to spot in Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. — If you are talking about Kentucky music, somewhere along the line you have to talk about Paul Martin.

If you know the history of the local rock music scene around Lexington, you have to know Paul from his days in Charlie’s Garage and The Bunch. You might even know about Ambush, a local band Paul joined while attending George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester. 

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Spotlight finally shines on Norah Lee Allen

John Herndon 8 Comments
Bowling Green native Norah Lee Allen, whose career as a background vocalist at the Grand Ole Opry spanned more than 40 years, sings during the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 28, 2022.

Gospel roots anchored Opry vocalist on road to Kentucky Music Hall of Fame

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

RENFRO VALLEY, Ky. — It didn’t take long for Norah Lee Allen’s father to see he had special talent in his family.

“My father was in a quartet. He could tell we were musically inclined, so he formed a trio and we traveled for around 17 years,” Mrs. Allen recalls. “We traveled around to seven or eight different states. We didn’t travel as much until I was a little older but we sang at churches, revivals, concerts and wherever we could.”

The Stuart Sisters, based in their hometown of Bowling Green, became one of the most popular regional gospel singing groups around during the 50s and 60s. They recorded their own EPs and grew to be as busy as they wanted to be.

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Putting a smile on your face

John Herndon 2 Comments
From left, Paul, Tallant and March Martin perform during Rockland Road’s concert in Winchester on Sept. 25. (Photos by John Herndon)

Rockland Road continues to bring joy through music whenever it can

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

WINCHESTER, Ky. — It had been far too long since I had seen Rockland Road in person.

So, when the group announced it would be playing in Winchester — a free show at that! — my wife and I circled Sept. 25 on our calendars and made sure nothing would keep us away. Rockland Road played the “Rock the Block” series on the steps of the Clark County Courthouse and, like every other time we have seen this enormously talented family, left no one disappointed.

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