JOHNNY RAY MARTIN NOW ON HARP

JOHNNY RAY MARTIN NOW ON HARP

By Andy Weddington

Friday, 13 August 2021

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home. - Tecumseh

Riding the glider on the front porch with coffee and iPad a friend's post on social media caught my eye; right after finishing morning greetings with a Marine neighbor and his wife walking dogs. 

I'd not planned to write this morning but that post, a bit of sad news, changed plans for this much anticipated and needed unplanned day.

A friend, barely two years older, died.

Just a year or two into our 15 years residency in the Southern California high desert I met a gent named Steve Lester. 

Steve - artist, musician, songwriter, singer, storyteller, photographer. And more.

Steve's run in the music business is an interesting story. So perhaps another day. 

Steve founded the Joshua Tree, California based bluegrass group Shadow Mountain Band.

Pros. All of them. 

Unlike most bluegrass bands, Shadow Mountain Band does not have the familiar anchor instrument 5-string banjo; sometimes a guest picker welcomed.  

Instead, Johnny Ray Martin, from the tiny town of Bassett, Virginia, autoharp master and singer. 

What a voice. Heavenly. And now it is. 

Many times, and many they were, I went to hear Shadow Mountain Band - usually at Pappy & Harriet's in historic Pioneertown but a few miles north of Yucca Valley. 

A band standard, 'Poor Wayfaring Stranger.'

Just typing that song title sent chills through me.

Johnny Ray's rich baritone, and his casual stage presence complementing, hushed crowds; the hustle and bustle of a packed dining room suddenly switched to off. Silence out of respect for jaw-dropping beauty.

Every single time that sound, that visual, sent chills surging through me. Inevitably, leaked a tear. High fine art does that to me. [He's singing, on loop, as I write.]

Johnny Ray, quiet and private, was a mystery to me. I remember he barely survived a wildfire in Pioneertown some years back. The raging fire bearing down, a friend of Johnny Ray's went to check on him - he was asleep, unaware. They escaped. Everything lost. [That fire season we had several way too close to our home. Unnerving the power.]

We spoke at concerts. 

And as Yucca Valley is small we occasionally ran into one another at the grocery story or an eatery. 

He always had time to visit a few minutes. Those moments genuine. And that tells you plenty about someone. 

In fact, our last impromptu crossing of paths comes to mind: Near the frozen foods aisle in Stater Brothers (grocery) on the south side of Highway 62 running through Yucca Valley. Five years ago now seems like last week. 

Most likely you've never heard of Johnny Ray Martin. Nor Shadow Mountain Band. I know I am better for knowing both. But take a few minutes to listen to Johnny Ray, Steve, and the band. You'll feel better, I promise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xYvuNeBbgmc

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/martinsvillebulletin/name/johnny-martin-obituary?pid=199760446

Farewell, Johnny Ray Martin - Poor Wayfaring Stranger. And friend.