Boxcar Willie, born as Lecil Travis Martin (September 1, 1931 -- April 12, 1999) was an American country music singer, who sang in the "old-time hobo" music style, complete with dirty face, overalls, and a floppy hat. "Boxcar Willie" was originally a character in a ballad he wrote, but he later adopted it as his own stage name. Born in Sterrett, Texas, Martin joined the United States Air Force in 1949, and served as a pilot and flight engineer for the B-29 Super Fortress during the Korean War in the early 1950s. In Lincoln, Nebraska, Martin was once sitting at a railroad crossing and a fellow that closely resembled his chief boom operator, Willie Wilson, passed by sitting in a boxcar. He said, "There goes Willie." He pulled over and wrote a song entitled "Boxcar Willie". It eventually stuck and became Martin's nickname. There is no relation to the fictitious character, bearing the same name, as featured in the CJCLS commercial that aired ~1985. In 1962, Martin met his future wife, Lloene, in Boise, Idaho. They would later have four children. In San Jose, California, Martin attended a talent show as "Boxcar Willie" and performed under the nickname for the first time. He won first place, a $150 prize and a nickname that he would forever go by. That was his part-time vocation, however; he was still in the Air Force and had been flying daily missions. He later became a Flight Engineer on Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker aircraft in the 136th ARW in the Texas Air National Guard, including air refueling flights around the USA and overseas in Germany. In 1976, Martin left the Air Force and became a full-time performer. One of his first national appearances was a win on Chuck Barris' The Gong Show. He entered American mainstream pop culture consciousness due to a series of television commercials for record compilations of artists who were obscure in the United States, yet had large international followings, such as Slim Whitman and Gheorghe Zamfir. He went on to become a star in country music, selling more than 100 million records, tapes and CDs worldwide. In 1981, Martin achieved a professional landmark by being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as its 60th member. In 1985, Martin moved to Branson, Missouri and purchased a theater on Highway 76, or 76 Country Music Boulevard. In addition to the Boxcar Willie Theater, he opened a museum and eventually had two motels, both bearing his name. Boxcar Willie was one of the first big stars to open a show in Branson, paving the way for the other nationally-known names that followed. He performed at his theater in Branson until he died. Mule Train Hey Good Lookin' Kaw-Liga Move It On Over London Leaves Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms Divorce Me C.O.D Red River Valley Heaven San Antonio Rose King Of The Road Wabash Cannonball You Are My Sunshine Boxcar Blues Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Your Cheatin' Heart I Saw The Light Wreck Of The Old '97 Hank And The Hobo Peace In The Valley Last Train To Heaven Bummin' Around Bad News Keep On Rollin' Down The Line Freight Train Blues Lonesome Joe We Made Memories You Got The Kind Of Love That Grabs A'Hold And Just Keeps Hangin' On To My Baby I'm A Big Star All The Time Don't Blame Me For What Happened Last Night There's Nothin' Like A Good Ole Country Song Lefty Left Us Lonely

• published: 07 Jun 2014
• views: 14240