GUITARIST GREG MARTIN – THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Guitarist Greg Martin, co-founder of the Grammy-winning band The Kentucky Headhunters, talks about his guitar collection, the band’s backstory, and their new album “That’s a Fact, Jack!” Watch here in the YouTube player or download the podcast on Spreaker, Podbean, or SoundCloud.
Greg is the co-founder and lead guitarist for the Kentucky Headhunters, whose kick-ass blend of Southern rock, country rock, rock ‘n’ roll and the blues has earned them worldwide critical and audience acclaim for over 35 years and counting. In addition to being one hell of an accomplished guitarist, Greg is a longtime radio host of his own show, a solo artist and a diehard guitar freak who can talk about the ins and outs of guitars and guitar playing all day long.
The Kentucky Headhunters are riding high with their latest album, That’s a Fact, Jack!, which is released on their own label, Practice House Records. It’s their usual heady mix of Southern-fried rock with a dash of blues and a bit of country.
The Kentucky Headhunters formed in 1986 (from their original incarnation known as Itchy Brother) and, based on the strength of their live shows and a demo that featured both original songs and country covers, signed to Mercury Records in 1989.
Mercury released the demo in 1989 as The Kentucky Headhunters’ debut album, Pickin’ on Nashville. The album produced four charting singles, all of which reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) chart. The album contained their two biggest charting singles…Dumas Walker, which charted at #15 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and Oh, Lonesome Me, which peaked at #8 on the same chart.
Pickin’ on Nashville also earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, Best New Vocal Group award from the Academy of Country Music (ACM), and Album of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year awards from the Country Music Association (CMA). (The band has won three CMA awards overall.)
In addition, it earned a double-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Not a bad way to start a career.
Overall, the Kentucky Headhunters have released eight studio albums, three compilations, and twenty-three singles. They have toured the world countless times and still perform relentlessly to their rabid fan base. They also had time to finally make their Grand Ole Opry debut in December 2021.
The band’s early music was country oriented but over time they’ve developed into a band that also plays and records head-crushing rock ‘n’ roll, fiery Southern guitar rock and a knack for serious blues that showcases just how overall talented these guys are. Greg’s playing shines throughout the eye of this musical hurricane no matter what style of music they perform. He’s probably the main reason many folks describe the band’s sound as “guitar-heavy, rambunctious music.”
A highlight of Martin’s life over the past 20+ years has been his radio show, the Lowdown Hoedown. Greg’s gift of gab, sense of humor, down-to-earth personality, and an ability to both entertain his audience and relate comfortably to his on-air/studio guests have made the show a popular regional must-listen radio staple.
More: http://kentuckyheadhunters.net
