Official Website of WILD HARE

Billy Wayne Martin, fiddle player for WILD HARE, has played fiddle and harmonica all over the southeastern United States. Originally from Pontotoc, Mississippi, Billy Wayne has played in bluegrass and country bands in North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. He "cut his teeth" in the Mountain View, Arkansas Ozark Mountain Folk Center (our only national park devoted to folk culture and music) playing fiddle in jig and square dances there. Some of Billy's musical influences are Billy Contreras, Tommy Cordell from Big Timber Bluegrass, Al Lester, Vassar Clements, Bob Wills, Rickie Simpkins, and Aubrey Haynie.

In addition to his musical talents, Billy Wayne is a highly regarded fine artist in the field of miniature painting. He creates his work on a multitude of materials including rock, feathers, and wood. In 2007, his miniature scene of Nathan Bedford Forrest on horseback at Brices Crossroads National Battlefield painted on a glass ornament, was selected by First Lady Laura Bush to be displayed on the Christmas tree (ornament #34) at the White House that year. Billy traveled to Washington to meet Mrs. Bush at a dinner honoring the artists of the ornaments. His work also appeared on Good Morning America with the First Lady in an interview with Claire Shipman. Billy's miniature animal artwork has also been mentioned in the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts publication, the MCLA Beacon.