Boxcar Willie
Country Artist courtesy of Coral Casino and sports book
Keeper of the Flame well not quite Boxcar Willie appointed himself the keeper of the Hobo and Train Songs.
Born in Steratt, Texas in 1931 his real name was Lecil Travis Martin, you can see why he changed his name.
Boxcar Willie was never really accepted in America especially in the early years but he was huge in the UK. With idols such as Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell it's no surprise that he wasn't bothered about the lack of understanding at home about his music. His father was a railroad worker and Boxcar Willie claims that hoboes regularly camped near his home. It was this he claimed that brought his fascination for them and their lifestyle.
Scotland the Brave
Like lots of country artist Willie was singing on local radio by age 10 and performing in local clubs during his teens, he decided to try his hand at Nashville but unfortunately Nashville wasn't ready for him, fortunately a Scottish Promoter Drew Taylor was visiting and invited Willie to the UK, he made an immediate impact and became a huge star.
Success in the US was a lot harder to achieve and it was only after a TV commercial offered his songs that americans finally woke up to this home grown star. After massive sales of his mail order train songs the Grand Ole Opry invited him to join in 1981.
Some of Boxcar's hits are: The Man I Used To Be, Daddy Was A Railroad Man, Wabash Cannon Ball, The Lord Made A Hobo Out of Me.