Growing up, the six Martin siblings inherited the love of the music genre from their dad, Elvin. He played bluegrass and old-style country music in their rural Versailles home. Jim and Jesse McReynolds, a pair of bluegrass-playing brothers who first debuted in 1952, were a family favorite, and a fusion of strings - guitar, banjo, mandolin and more - sounded from an old record player.
"It was ingrained in us at a young age," said Janice Martin, third in the sibling order.
The eldest siblings, Jeana and Dale, started playing the fiddle and guitar, respectively, in 2000. That's when Elvin Martin picked up the bass. From there, the development of a band happened organically. Janice played the banjo a couple years later. Then, Larita Martin picked up the dobro.
Years passed as the Martins toured around the country and Canada - all without a mandolin player. But four years ago, the now 19-year-old Lee Martin, the fifth sibling, took on the mandolin. Elvin passed on the bass to the youngest, Anne, 16, and stepped back from the band of siblings. Along their journey, they officially became known as the Bluegrass Martins and moved to Jefferson City from Versailles to access venues more easily.
"Dad never pushed us," Janice said. "It was all our idea to play music, but he loves it."
Janice said she and her siblings maintain a love for bluegrass because of its soulful style, like blues and jazz genres.
"We concentrate more on how we feel rather than something that will sell," she said. "We're more into what the music is about rather than what we can do to make the biggest dollar. So, I think that's why bluegrass is a little more low key than rock or country."
She describes their music as traditional, yet progressive. It's a blend of the technical side of bluegrass (the necessity to play with a banjo, guitar and bass along with either a dobro, fiddle or mandolin) and human elements (playing with emotion). The band has dabbled in song writing for a few years, and their inspiration ranges from sentimental family memories to break ups - topics that appeal to all ages.
"The reason we have music is so we can express our feelings, so our songs cover a wide variety," Janice said.
The Bluegrass Martins were featured performers this weekend at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America's (SPBGMA) 42nd annual music awards and the 33rd SPBGMA Mid-West Convention.
"That's the great thing about bluegrass - it's kind of laid back," she said. "Everybody knows each other and it's a big get together, tight-knit community."
The band has been named the Instrumental Band of the Year for 11 years. Individually, some band members have been awarded as the best players of their selected instruments.
Despite earning accolades for her banjo playing, Janice said she has received comments from people who are surprised how well she plays "for a girl." Bluegrass was once a male-dominated genre, she said, adding Bill Monroe, "the father of bluegrass," once stated, "It takes a man to play bluegrass."
That's not the case anymore, she said.
"I take pride in me and my sisters," Janice said. "We're not really girly girls. We're not afraid to just get in there and just drive our music, and get in there and just rip it."
When the Martins moved to Jefferson City eight years ago, Janice said she feels the Bluegrass Martins brought the form of music to the city. She explained that Jefferson City is business oriented, and there's a need for a greater musical culture.
"I think with us being here in Jefferson City, we're trying to help bring out the music more," she said. "I think they've helped us realize that there's a lot more room for music here. We've talked about moving to Nashville, Tennessee, but why move someone where there's all kinds of music when you're in a place you can bring music to."
Janice added they've considered expanding to country music, but she doesn't foresee that idea sticking.
"I think we would always come to bluegrass music because it's who we are," she said, "it's what we love."
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