Tribute from Texas western swing bandleader Al Dressen:
We have all lost a friend, and she was a friend in so many ways. Western Swing folks remember her so easily because she was a constant supporter of this musical style. Using her Western Swing Monthly newsletter to let everyone know what was going on and news from and about the entertainers and dancehalls and the history of western swing. Her beautiful smiling face was always at every WS event she could possibly get to. She was fair minded and always fair handed about everything that she reported on and wrote about. She was always in attendance at the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame events and she wasn't just there, but her soul was there enjoying the moments. I personally, loved to talk and visit with her. She made us all feel important, but she was the one important to us. Put her music connections aside, and we can all agree that she was just a great and loving friend that won our hearts and she will never be forgotten. A heartfelt salute to Barbara Martin!!
