Rodge Martin

Rodge Martin was a promising figure in Nashville's soul community of the 1960s, and seemed destined for a shot at stardom -- until fate dealt him a sudden, tragic hand. Born in Georgia sometime around 1940, he was a natural singer as a boy, and he became part of the Jimmy Church Revue in his early twenties. It was through the latter group that he was seen and heard by Nashville-based soul entrepreneur Hoss Allen, who became Martin's manager. A contract with Bragg Records followed soon after, and his debut single, "Lovin' Machine" b/w "When She Touches Me," was a regional hit i...