Skip to main content

Beatle-mania revived in downtown Martin


After the pre-emptive 15-minute rock-star sound check, the Fab Four from Liverpool turned on the time machine and took the Soybean Festival back to 1964.

Mark Benson, Gary Grimes, James Pou, and Greg George, otherwise known as John, Paul, George, and Ringo, respectively, rocked Martin Thursday night on the main stage of the Soybean Festival.

The show, with vintage 1960’s era equipment, was a show that has been heralded by such publications and television programs as “Entertainment Tonight,” PM Magazine, CNN, The USA Network, and The Nashville Network. 1964: The Tribute has played venues from Carnegie Hall to good ol’ Martin, TN.

The band teased the patient crowd before launching into their first song.

“We're all ready to play, but we’re not going to play for another fifteen minutes since you all have gotten so good at waiting.” The band began playing early Beatles songs as the crowd cheered and sang along.

Families in their lawn chairs tapped toes while their children played in the grass to the warm glow of the stage as the band faithfully recreated Beatles’ hits such as “I Wanna Hold Your Hand.”

1964: The Tribute have spent years researching the Beatles: their on-stage mannerisms, their clothing and hair styles, all the way down to the exact guitars and amplifiers the Beatles would have used in their landmark 1964 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Beatles tribute band prides themselves on using the same equipment as the original Fab Four. Beatle George Harrison’s sister Lou speaks about 1964: The Tribute on the band's website.

“They have captured the Beatles’ exact essence - onstage their look and sound is incredible,” she said.

The band has played colleges, fairs, and festivals all over the world, and was voted “Best Major Concert Act” and “Best Contemporary Act” by Campus Activities Today Magazine.

They were also voted “Contemporary Music Artists of the Year” by the National Association for Campus Activities and “Campus Entertainers of the Year” by the Canadian Association for Campus Activities.

Eventually time turned back and the Fab Four had to leave, but for one more faithful night in Martin, the Fab Four rocked this town with the music millions of fans the world over have enjoyed for almost 40 years.