RIP Bill Torbert Jr. (Mandolin player for Jimmy Martin)

Bill Torbert Jr. passed away on Saturday, 24 Oct 2020 from Covid. He was 81. He started playing mandolin in the early 1950's in Washington, DC. He played with (high school friend) Monte Monteith at the Washington Coliseum, one week before the Beatles made their American debut there. Bill then became one of Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys, recording 12 songs, and performing with Jimmy at shows and festivals. Bill recorded and played numerous shows with Jack Fincham and the Dixie Grass, only to later rejoin his high school friend - performing his final shows with Monte Monteith's Skystone band in 2017.

I was too young to realize or appreciate the times when Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, The Osborne Brothers, and others would stop by our house - but I do remember all the handshakes when my Dad would introduce me to them. You will be missed and I will keep the music playing. - Bill Torbert III

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Tater Tate, Penny Jay, J.D. Crowe, Jimmy Martin, Bill Torbert Jr. recording "Widow Maker" (Sep 1963).

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Bill Emerson, Jimmy Martin, Bill Yates, Bill Torbert Jr. at the first multi-day bluegrass festival, Fincastle, VA (Sep 1965)

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Recording a song with Monti Monteith's Skystone band

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Still performing into his 70's.

Recording Sessions/Tracks with Jimmy Martin:
- Widow Maker
- I'm Thinking Tonight of my Blue Eyes
- Red River Valley
- John Henry
- I Can't Quit Cigarettes
- Lost Highway
- The Good Things Outweigh the Bad
- The Summer's Come and Gone
- Fraulein
- You're Gonna Change (Or I'ma Gonna Leave)
- Tennessee Waltz
- Little Maggie

Mr. Torbert,
I am truly sorry for the loss in your family. I never had the honor of meeting your father but, I have appreciated his talent through his recordings.
Best wishes and condolences through your grief.

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. He sounds like he was a really cool guy and a great dad. I love the picture you posted of him in his 70's.

Condolences:

Wonderful picture of J.D. Crowe and his hairdo

Mr. Torbert, thank you so much for taking a moment to post here and to share the awesome photos and information on your dad's career. I was sorry to hear of the loss. The images you shared are precious to me for their historical significance. May God bless you and your family in your time of loss.

RIP Bill Jr.
Thanks for posting.
I saved pictures and discography.