I’ve been hearing the name John Arthur Martinez for years. Among the many who have played weekend gigs with Mike Blakely, John was the first name I came to know. Aside from the two of them doing an album together back in 2007, ‘Blakely-Martinez’, they’ve also appeared on ‘A Texas Hill-Country Christmas’ and ‘Austin’s WB – Holiday Songs Benefiting the Austin Children’s Center’.
John Arthur Martinez has a velvet tone to his voice. The lyrics wash over you, creating a sense of peace. Whenever I hear him sing, I want to be sitting next to a camp fire somewhere with friends. Where the stars shine bright above, the beer is cold and the music makes you content to be just where you are… in that moment.
John made his first appearance in 2005, winning Record of the Year (‘Home Made of Stone’). The song can be found on his ‘Lone Starry Night’ album, which also features ‘The Armadillo Song’ – the official song of MTM Armadillo eZine. He was also nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
He took home the Entertainer of the Year award in 2006 beating out, among others, his buddy Mike. In 2008, John and Mike were nominated as Vocal Duo/ Group for their ‘Blakely-Martinez’ album. Another nomination was not forthcoming until 2010, when he won Record of the Year for ‘Utopia’, from his ‘Purgatory Road’ LP.
This year he’s back in the Entertainer of the Year category and up against Mike. Will this year be a repeat of 2006 for John? Whatever the outcome, I know one thing for certain. We are going to be enjoying his music for a long time.
Country Blessings!
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