[2] He formed a skiffle band with fellow villagers, he "learnt to play guitar and belted out Lonnie Donegan-like versions of 'Down by the Riverside' and other American Negro songs.

He sings English, Irish and Australian ballads with equal authority; in fact he is one of the few singers who can do justice to our bush-ranging and convict songs.

"[2] In August 1964, Wyndham-Read recorded material for a various artists' album, Australian Folk Festival, which appeared on the Score label, owned by Peter Mann.

Martyn also sings with Brian Mooney on 'Roddy McCorley', a song from the 1798 Irish rebellion, and 'Get Me Down My Filling Knife', a reworking by Brendan and Dominic Behan of the old Dublin street ballad, 'Get Me Down My Pettycoat'.

In the early 1970s he started a series of Maypoles to Mistletoe concerts which portray the seasons of the year through song, music, dance and verse.