November 10-12, 2000

Tazwell, TN--Just got back from a great trip down to Tennessee. Hard to believe how much goes on in just a couple of days with Jimmy Martin. For some reason my favorite footage from this trip is Jimmy cutting up some old country pumpkins for his new goat Vernon Derrick.

Jimmy feeding his new goat, Vernon Derrick. 
Photo by Will Wall.

Will and I also took an insane trip to ole Billy Nixon’s home for Jimmy to buy him a new jump dog named Hank. Jimmy has already changed that to Hank Williams Sr., saying Hank has one helluva voice and will help him jump some good rabbits this winter. Jimmy was telling stories the whole way there and back, even shedding a couple tears along the way. 

On this night we stayed at Jimmy’s house instead of our usual hotel down the street. Jimmy and Mary Ann treat us so well it’s incredible. We’re really so lucky to be getting to know each of them. On Friday night we all stayed up late and watched the Friday Night Fights. Jimmy is a big boxing fan. He has some pictures around the house of him with Roberto Duran, but Joe Louis is his all-time favorite. 

Saturday morning we headed out to Tazwell, TN. Derek Dillman and Red Roberts and his wife Denise came along on the bus. David Nance and Ronnie Prevette (who live in North Carolina) met us at the show. Red Roberts blessed us with a some fine fiddle playing along the way. Stopped at a diner before going to the show. Had some great turnip greens, beans, and cornbread. 

Also sitting in for this show was Bill Yates (former member of the Country Gentlemen and the Sunny Mountain Boys). Bill Yates plays bass on the original recordings of Freeborn Man and Losing You and sings the bass vocal on Milwaukee, Here I Come, among others. 

Tazwell is just 20 miles from Sneedville, so there were a lot folks from Jimmy’s old stompin’ grounds at the show. The show took place at a little school and was put on by Jadon and Chris from Gibson Productions. If you ever are going to be near Tazwell you should definitely see if there is a show going on at the school. They have created a great, intimate atmosphere. Actually, if you’re from a place like Chicago, you’d have a hard time believing that shows like this still happen. We had a great time. 

The highlight was Jimmy getting lots of his family and friends on the stage and in the front at the end of the show for a rousing rendition of Will the Circle Be Unbroken. As most fans know, Jimmy does this after many of his shows. However, this one was really just about over the top with so many people on stage. It was pure pandemonium, but Jimmy looked pleased as punch.