Country Performer and Songwriter Brad Martin Dies at 48
Country performer and songwriter Brad Martin has died at the age of 48. Known as a solo artist signed to Epic Records in the early 2000’s, and one half of the duo Martin Ramey that signed with Curb Records in 2008, he passed away on Friday, March 11th. Though no cause of death has been disclosed, Martin had recently been hospitalized due to a work-related injury.
Born on May 3rd, 1973 in Greenfield, Ohio, Brad Martin learned guitar at an early age, and was heavily influenced by traditional artists such as Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Moving to Nashville in his early 20’s as an aspiring songwriter and performer, he was playing in a club when he was discovered by artist manager Joe Carter, known for working with Tracy Byrd, and later William Michael Morgan.
Compared early on to a younger version of George Strait, Brad Martin was signed to Epic Records in 2000, and released his debut single “Before I Knew You Better” in 2002, which peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, followed by a debut album Wings of a Honky-Tonk Angel released on June 18th, 2002.
Subsequent singles failed to crack the Top 50, and eventually Brad Martin was dropped from Epic. He emerged later with John Ramey in the duo Martin Ramey, signed to Curb Records.
“Our writing, it was so similar with the direction that we wanted to do. We wanted to do something real rootsy, not the mainstream stuff,” Brad Martin said at the time, and the duo released a debut single called “Twisted” in 2010. But this was at a time many artists singed to Curb were facing difficulty with the label, and in country.
Martin Ramey never released an album with Curb, but did release a slowed-down acoustic cover of Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” in 2012, and another track called “Dangerous” in 2013. Though the duo kept performing into 2018, a debut album never surfaced.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this. My dear friend and music brother Brad Martin passed away this afternoon,” John Ramey said on Friday. “I am heartbroken. Rock on my brother!!! You were a great friend, true talent and it was an honor making music with you!!”
According to a GiveSendGo campaign, Brad Martin suffered a work related injury in January, which complicated already preexisting conditions.
“Due to an already existing health crisis, the trauma from injury has surpassed basic care into intensive and critical levels of care and treatment including transplant evaluation,” the campaign says. “He has suffered severe internal damage causing hemorrhaging, along with a multitude of other life threatening issues with his liver.”
The family has confirmed Brad Martin’s death, but no specific cause has been disclosed.
March 13, 2022 @ 6:49 pm
Don’t remember him but sad nonetheless. may he rest in peace.
March 13, 2022 @ 8:44 pm
Hate to hear this. I remember him.RIP
March 14, 2022 @ 12:35 am
His album had some good songs. Always sad to hear such news about someone so young. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP
March 14, 2022 @ 3:25 am
I remember buying his debut album as a kid. I really enjoyed it. He also had a lead single to a 2nd album (that never came out) I loved , called “one of those days”
Listen to “the fifth” on that first album, great song .
March 14, 2022 @ 4:40 am
I see the problem. His singles didn’t “catch on” because he was singing country and that’s the last thing country radio and the industry want right now.
March 14, 2022 @ 7:09 am
Another Greenfield Ohio guy! That tiny little town has been the epicenter of some amazing Country music players. Johnny Paycheck and The Adams Brothers most notably, but there have been many pickers as well who grew up either in or around Greenfield. Brad made quality music and there was no doubt he was a traditonal artist with the right pedigree.
March 14, 2022 @ 6:17 am
Dude was running an altcountry Facebook group a few years ago until he disappeared. He was an awesome mod.
March 14, 2022 @ 5:21 pm
I met and booked him in fl various parts super entertainer and actor as well very sorry to hear about his passing. rest in peace buddy.
March 14, 2022 @ 7:16 pm
“Before I Knew Better” was the radio hit that never was. Dude had the look and the talent to make it big but Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, and Toby Keith took over the direction of country music in the early oughts and Brad lost his momentum. RIP!!