Biography
Born William D. Colleran on 26 April 1925 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, the future musician launched his performing life as a teenager by singing alongside Ed Brozi in a traveling medicine show. Early influences included the Monroe Brothers and the Blue Sky Boys. Bluegrass caught his attention after World War II. By 1949 he and his group were appearing regularly on WHJB in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; because three bandmates already answered to Bill, he adopted the stage name Mac Martin. His banjo work and vocal style drew notice in the early 1950s, and in 1953 a band he joined on WHOD in Homestead, Pennsylvania, earned comparisons to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. In 1957 he secured a weekly residency for the group at Walsh’s Lounge in Pittsburg that lasted fifteen years. The Travelers cut two albums for Gateway Records in 1963, though only one reached the public; several years afterward they completed four more for Rural Rhythm. Noted mandolin specialist Bob Artis, born 26 July 1946 in Santa Monica, California, USA, entered the lineup, and when Mac Martin stepped away briefly in 1972, Artis assumed leadership. Martin rejoined in time for the band’s 1974 County sessions. Beyond his instrumental contributions, Artis contributed numerous articles to Bluegrass Unlimited and Muleskinner News, and his book Bluegrass appeared in 1975.
Albums
