In
2003 there was a new show on TV called Nashville Star. In the
finalists was a young man from Marble Falls, Texas. Some in the group
were familiar with him and every Saturday night, Teree would watch the show
and then call us where ever we were when they opened the phone lines for
voting. We'd spend the next 1/2 dialing the number and
voting.....trying to help our favorite win the competition.The young
man's name is John Arthur Martinez and while he didn't 'win', he came in
second on the show and first in a lot of people's heart. Since then,
we've kept an eye on his career and....even though we didn't get to attend
any of his shows....we were happy with the success he seemed to be enjoying.
Imagine our surprise....and happiness....when he called our favorite
drummer, Albert Perez, to sit in with him! Albert & Laurie went to see
John in Marble Falls, then, I went with them on Sunday afternoon to see him
at Gruene Hall where Albert sat in for a few songs. He ended up
traveling with John and the band to play a couple of gigs in New Mexico and
then at the Texas State Fair (Laurie & I made it to that show!).
John was a teacher before turning to music full time and it shows in his
interaction with kids......and they love him! They know the
words to every song and sit in the front row totally entranced by John and
the music. Don't get me wrong....it isn't just the kids! The
parents and grandparents are right behind the kids.....singing along with
all the songs and totally entranced by John and the music!!
The range of music was a surprise. John IS
country.....but.....there are few other influences as well. The first
time I saw him, he did everything from Faded Love to the Eagles hit,
Hotel California plus a lot of his originals.
When Albert was telling us about the trip to New Mexico, he said every
show was different. Now.....that's what we call
'entertainment'. Go see John soon!
www.johnarthurmartinez.net
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03/16/07 Cotton Club
(11 pictures / 3 videos) |

06/11/06 Gruene Hall
(29 pictures) |

11/20/05 Gruene Hall
(32 pictures) |

10/09/05 TX State Fair
(71 pictures) |

10/02/05 Gruene Hall
(20 pictures) |
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