Contact Ernie Martinez

303-946-8069 or 303-986-0842

An extremely versatile musician, Ernie plays just about every instrument that has strings, and more. He started out in the late 1960's playing guitar and drums. Then, when Foggy Mountain Breakdown and The Dueling Banjos came out, he was inspired to learn 5-string banjo. Soon afterwards, he took up the mandolin, resophonic guitar, and pedal steel. He also plays fiddle, piano, and bass.

Ernie is a brilliant musician, inspiring teacher, recording artist, songwriter, and producer. He teaches at Swallow Hill Music Association and Olde Town Pickin' Parlor, where his specialties are bluegrass and country, beginning through advanced levels.

The Loose Cannon CD release concert at Swallow Hill January 30, 2010 photos by Bill Patterson
The Music to Benefit Haitians concert at Acoustic Music Revival with Jim & Salli Ratts, Timothy P. and Scott Bennett January 30, 2010 photos by Bill Patterson

Ernie's alter ego:

"Elvis" with Jim Ratts (left) and Timothy P (right) at the Runaway Express "Howlin' at the Moon" CD release concert Swallow Hill, January 8, 2010.
	photos by Bill Patterson

with Southern Exposure at MidWinter

with High Wide and Handsome at Rocky Grass
with Patty Clayton, Liz Masterson, Sean Blackburn at MidWinter

Steve Pierce, Terry Dalton & Ernie

with Sandy Reay and Annie Phillips

Mark Mortensen, Michi Regier, Mark Merryman, Kurt Hunsinger, Sandy Reay, and Ernie: Djypsy Grass meets the Canyon Ratz and Quickdraw Homegrown Music at Las Hadas
(photo by Kim Davison)

with Djypsy Grass , October 9, 2005
(photo by Kim Davison)

He plays regularly with Runaway Express, Dakota Blonde, Jon Chandler & the Wichitones, Timothy P. (Rural Route Three and the Stocking Stuffers), Reckless Abandon. The Ouzo Project and Loose Cannon.

with Sandy Reay, Steve Pierce, Terry Dalton

March 17, 2007, at Sheabeen Irish Pub . (Photo by Andy Schmidt)

(photos by Bill and Linda Patterson)
with Sandy Reay	with Sandy Reay and Rick McGregor
at the Swallow Hill Folk Festival, September, 2007 (photos by Marge McGregor)
	(photo by Reggie Barrett)

	with Steve Pierce, Bob Turner and Sandy Reay
at the Swallow Hill Folk Festival, September, 2007 (photos by Reggie Barrett)

Ernie's CD Release Party at Swallow Hill ~ June 14, 2008
Ernie with Steve Pierce, Sandy Reay, Lisa Astrella, Gary Barker, Martin Gilmore, Eric Grace, Jeff Graves, Butch Hause, Tim Irvin, Johnny Neill, Annie Phillips, Turner Wyatt
(Photos by Bill Patterson)
Ernie with his mother, Lena Martinez Ernie with Anny Byrne
Annie, Ernie, Steve Sandy, Ernie Ernie, Ernie's Mother Lena Lisa, Jeff (back), Gary, Ernie, Eric, Martin Ernie, Martin Annie, Ernie, Tim Gary, Ernie, Lisa	Gary, Ernie, Lisa, Eric Gary, Ernie, Martin Annie, Ernie, Lisa Ernie Ernie, Steve, Johnny Sandy, Ernie, Martin Ernie's Swallow Hill Band
America's Soul Live! June 17, 2008 with Mack Bailey More photos: America's Soul Live! with Jon Chandler, Sandy Reay, Mack Bailey, and Johnny Neill   (photos by Bill Patterson)     America's Soul Live! July 15, 2008 (photos by Bill Patterson) More photos of America's Soul Live! by Bill Patterson: July, 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 June 2010 July 2010   America's Soul Live! May 2009 with Dana Vernon   America's Soul Live! November 2009 Benefit for Bob Turner, April 5, 2009, Moe's Original Bar B Que & Bowl with Steve Pierce     with Dakota Blonde, April 2009 (photos by Bill Patterson) refrigerator magnet by Bill Patterson