YEE-HAW! `HILLBILLY KEN' HAS BEEN AROUND FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Ken Martin has been entertaining people since his first teen year.

"I was 13 years old when I first played before a crowd," says Martin, "This was in the early 1960s, and I played in a rock 'n' roll band at Teen Town here."

Twenty-nine years later Martin is still entertaining people in Southeast Missouri as a singer, musician, and comedian.

He has also authored a guitar instructional book and has helped many musicians get their start, not only by his teachings but by giving them an opportunity to appear before crowds.

"I guess I've taught as many as 5,000 people how to play the guitar," says Martin, who has been a fixture at Shivelbine's Music Store Inc., 535 Broadway, for the past 20 years.

His guitar method book, ~"Learning to Play Guitar, Plain & Simple," has sold several thousand copies.

"I've been approached by publishers wanting to publish my book on a royalty basis," said Martin. "But I just feel good about publishing it myself."

The book, introduced in 1981, is "still a good seller," said Martin.

Martin is putting his talents to use each weekend at the Ole Chuckwagon Restaurant in Town Plaza here. It is owned by another popular area musician, Lou Hobbs.

Hobbs' latest offering to the music world is his rendition of "Living on the New Madrid Fault Line," which has been played in 90 countries.

"We're pleased to have Martin here each weekend," said Hobbs. "He is a great family entertainer. On stage he can be a singer, musician, or clown."

"I'm Hillbilly Ken on stage," said Martin, who has a complete repertoire of comic disguises."

Martin acts with a country flair. "Someone else plays a `straight man,' and I'm the clown or comedian. I guess next to playing music, I enjoy doing comedy best."

The Friday-Saturday program at Ole Chuckwagon also provides area people an opportunity to appear on stage.

"We're here from 7:30 to about 11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday," said Martin. "The restaurant quits serving plate lunches about 6:30, but short orders burgers, fries and sandwiches are available until the show closes."

Martin, who plays whatever instrument is needed, has a four-piece house band that includes himself as vocalist, comedian, and musician; Greg Colyer on the bass; Michael Hicks on the drums; and Mike Williamson on lead guitar.

The program is designed to permit a variety of entertainers to perform here," said Martin. "We don't care what kind of music they play as long as it is music. We have gospel, rock 'n' roll, country, blues and jazz.

"What we're interested in is providing family entertainment and the chance for new performers to have an opportunity to play before a crowd."

"It's sort of a showcase for area performers," said Hobbs. "We have a good facility here. We can seat well over 100 people, and it is good family entertainment. We do not allow alcoholic drinks on the premises."

Admission to the show is $2.50.