Long-Time Business Manager Kirke Martin Passes

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Kirke Martin. Photo: Courtesy Bieber Public Relations

Kirke Martin, founder of Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan, & Associates, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 16 after battle with cancer. He was 70.

Martin was a business manager for 39 years working with Brad Paisley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, T. Graham Brown, Tammy Wynette, Keith Whitley and many others, including a large roster of Christian artists.

Born Frederick Kirke Martin III on Jan. 13, 1950 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was the only child of his parents Kirke and Jenny Martin. Martin was a graduate of North Hills High School and DePauw University. He was an accomplished football and baseball player and was nicknamed “Lurch” for his gentle demeanor and towering stature. Martin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business and a master’s degree in Education, and was a proud member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

While studying abroad in Denmark, Martin met his eventual wife Margie. The two immediately fell in love and were married June 12, 1971. The newlyweds then moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

Martin founded his own music business firm in 1981, Martin and Associates (now Martin, Albee, Miller, Bryan and Associates). Martin was revered for his honesty, loyalty, and practicality, and his advice was sought after by many up-and-coming and established artists. During his 40 years in the Nashville music industry, Martin served on the boards of Leadership Music and Nashville Entertainment Association, and was a member of CMA and GMA. Martin was proud of his business, loved by his colleagues, and counted his clients as friends and family.

Martin and his wife raised four children—Kirke, Edward, Margo and Helen—and he spent most of the ’80s and ’90s coaching and watching soccer, baseball, ballet, and ice hockey. He spent his weekends traveling for his sons’ hockey games and was an integral part of growing the Nashville Youth Hockey League, serving as Board President for multiple terms.

The days up to his death were filled with laughter and tears, music and knitting, and the love of his devoted family.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Kirke Martin Jr. and Jenny Helen Martin, and his parents-in-law, Edward A. and Marguerite Fish. Martin is survived by his beloved wife of 49.5 years, Margie, his children Kirke, Edward and Rachel Martin, Margo and David Cloniger, and Helen and Kris Nonn. As well as by his eleven beloved grandchildren, Samuel, Meridian, and Reuben Cloniger; Dylan, Rowan and Eamon Martin; Olive and McKay Martin; and Ryer, Marlow and Hollis Nonn. Martin is also survived by his dear chosen brother, Thom Schuyler (Sarah Tallu), his brothers-in-law Ed (Toni), John (Denice), and Walter Fish, his niece, nephews, cousins and by his friend, Henry Yarborough.

Due to the current restrictions imposed by COVID-19, there will be a small private service for the family. Martin’s family welcomes any written remembrances in celebration of his life. Please mail your remembrances to: The Martin Family care of MAMBA, P.O. Box 128287, Nashville, TN 37212, or email them to [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to organizations near to the Martin family: The Store (P.O. Box 128287, Nashville, TN, 37212), The Nashville Food Project (5904 California Ave, Nashville, TN 37209), Monteagle Sunday School Assembly (PO Box 307, Monteagle TN, 37356), or Alive Hospice (1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN, 37203).

LB Cantrell
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