Martin Gilmore is a Colorado-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music draws from the deep well of American folk, bluegrass, and country traditions. An accomplished instrumentalist and a natural storyteller, Gilmore brings together original songs, traditional music, and the stories that connect them, creating performances that are as engaging as they are musical.

 

In 2024, Gilmore won both the Telluride Troubadour Competition and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter's Showcase. He followed those honors with a win at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition in 2025, earning recognition as a distinctive voice in contemporary American roots music.

 

Gilmore's songwriting is rooted in a fascination with people, places, and the ways music carries stories across generations. His songs explore the American landscape, the passage of time, love, and the everyday experiences that connect us. With a broad array of original compositions and a skill for breathing new life into old folk songs, he brings a thoughtful perspective, a warm sense of humor, and a deep appreciation for the traditions that shaped the music.

 

His latest solo album, Thea is a Light Blue (2025), continues a recording career that has taken him from the mountains of Colorado to studios in Cairo, Egypt. His recordings have featured collaborations with musicians including Tim O'Brien, Courtney Hartman, Mollie O'Brien, and Pete Wernick. Bluegrass Today praised his music for its "timeless stories and tasteful instrumentation," while Roots Music Report recognized his musicianship and songwriting.

 

In addition to performing and recording, Gilmore is a dedicated music educator and historian. He teaches at Denver's Swallow Hill Music Association and through the University of Denver's Enrichment Program, where he explores the history and cultural connections of American roots music. He has also worked with Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers program and served as a featured artist for the Colorado Symphony's 2025–26 Youth Concert series.

 

Gilmore has performed across the United States and internationally, both as a solo artist and with ensembles including the Martin Gilmore Trio and his bluegrass band Long Road Home. Onstage, he combines accomplished guitar playing, memorable songs, and an easygoing connection with audiences, inviting listeners into the stories and musical traditions that continue to shape American life.