71. Layng Martine Jr. & Tucker Martine

Illustration of Layng Martine Jr.: Lani Morrison

Singer, author and Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee Layng Martine Jr’s compositions have been performed by the likes of soul legends The Pointer Sisters, Featherbed frontman Barry Mannilow, Bo Diddley, Reba McEntire, Las Vegas regional sensation Elvis Presley, and Philly correspondant Karl Blau. Now an octogenarian- with over six active decades in the background and just a handful of singles under his own name- 2023 marks Layng’s debut album, “Music Man,” out May 19, 2023 on Bloodshot Records. The album was produced by his son Tucker Martine, who has brought us records by tons of folks including Bill Frisell, Modest Mouse, Roseanne Cash, Mudhoney, Laura Viers, My Morning Jacket and friend of the show Karl Blau.

Today, the two of them visit Low Profile from Tucker’s Portland, OR studio Flora Recording and Playback. Layng shares stories about doing landscaping for big band leader Benny Goodman, writing songs “in the air”, accidentally meeting Jerry Lee Lewis, his first attempt at an album that never saw the light of day- produced by Ray Stevens- and how he reacted when he first heard one of his songs recorded by the king of rock and roll, Karl Blau. And there’s even a story about Elvis! Meanwhile, Tucker tells of his development in sound engineering and music, and his side of the story behind his dad’s first proper album. Listen to the interview now: