Biography

Butch Martin was raised on a little farm in south central Illinois and gained his appreciation for music from listening to his mother sing and play piano. She and his father sang as a duet most Sundays at the little country church they attended.

While in junior high school a teacher, Mrs. Perkins, gave him a deep understanding of poetry that Butch never realized until many years later.

When Butch grew to manhood, the city lights beckoned. For a time he lived the life of the urban, but something was missing. Butch had a longing for the smell of new-mown hay, the feel of a good cow horse between his knees and the sight of a sunrise uncluttered by tall city buildings. Leaving it all behind, Butch traveled to Wyoming where he bought a little ranch. Breeding Morgan cow horses was his main goal in life for a while. Success gained him favorable recognition with his peers.

Riding his horses and working cattle with some of the old time cowboys brought out Butch’s poetic side. He was soon writing and performing at various “gatherings” around the western U.S. Oregon now claims Butch’s talent, singing cowboy and country songs and reciting his beloved cowboy poems.

Butch Martin has appeared at shows in Riverton, WY., Lewistown, MT., Big Bear, CA., Elko, NV., Medford, OR., Torrington, WY., Bend, OR. and many other towns throughout the west.

Butch is known as the “drifter poet/balladeer”, probably because he has lived so many places.

Along with his busy entertaining schedule, Butch and his partner, Liz, operate the Rogue Valley Carriage and Wagon Service, delighting folks with the mule-drawn rides. Most summers find them hauling ice in their freight wagon for the various “buckskinner” reenactments. During the Christmas season they can be found in the old mining town of Jacksonville, OR., creating a taste of the past for the holiday crowd with the mule drawn wagon.

Butch’s album, “Whittler’s Corner”, on the BSW Records label, was well received both stateside and abroad. His next album, “Come Ride The Wagon”, also on BSW and released Jan. ‘05,  brought great reviews.  Butch’s latest album, released Jan ‘06, is titled “People, Places and Mules”. As with his other albums you will find songs you’ve heard in the past along with some new ones. The instrumentals backing Butch give this one a bit of a Bluegrass feel. In addition to the music album, due to many requests from numerous fans, Butch has released another album of cowboy poetry. This one is titled, OF PIONEERS AND COWBOYS.

In the meantime Butch is keeping busy with shows and still finds some time to ride with his lady, Liz, on the high mountain trails of Oregon.