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Boxcar Willie

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Vocalist

The Resume

    (September 1, 1931-April 12, 1999)
    Born in Red Oak (near Ovilla), Texas
    Birth name is Lecil Travis Martin
    Nicknamed ‘The World’s Favorite Hobo’
    Served in the United States Air Force (1949–19??)
    Singles include ‘Boxcar Willie,’ ‘Train Medley,’ ‘Bad News,’ ‘Lonesome Whistle,’ ‘Wabash Cannonball,’ ‘Thru a Boxcar Door’ and ‘Hobo ’Til I Die’
    Albums include ‘King of the Road,’ ‘Train Songs,’ ‘Jesus Makes Housecalls,’ ‘Daddy Was a Railroad Man,’ ‘Waiting for a Train’ and numerous ‘Best of’ collections
    34 Gold album designations, five Platinum album designations
    60th Grand Ole Opry inductee (1981)
    Based in Branson, Missouri (1985–1999)
    Died of leukemia in Branson, Missouri at age 67

Why he might be annoying:

    Uh… Lecil?
    His childhood home was only a few feet from a railroad. (Wonder how they slept?)
    He never worked on the railroads, though his father did.
    He was constantly running away from home just to ride on the trains.
    One of his earliest compositions (‘Golf On The Moon’) netted him a mere $88.
    Zamfir was a fan.
    He made only one appearance in the country Top 40 (‘Bad News’).

Why he might not be annoying:

    His inspiration for his handle came from a vagabond who resembled the boom operator (‘there goes Willie’).
    He could imitate a train whistle.
    His big break came when he was called to fill in for a sick George Jones.
    He received a standing ovation for a performance at the International Country Music Festival at Wembley (1979).
    Once he settled in Branson, he opened a theater, a museum and two motels.
    As an early alumnus, he was instrumental in helping future Branson acts learn the ropes.
    He was posthumously honored at a Veterans Day celebration show spearheaded by Tony Orlando.
    The overpass in his hometown, at Interstate 35-E and Farm to Market Road, was renamed in his honor.

Credit: Cool It All Right?


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 22 Votes: 4.55% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 24 Votes: 45.83% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 38.46% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 33 Votes: 51.52% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 35 Votes: 51.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 37 Votes: 51.35% Annoying