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The Martins' vocal and
musical talents speak for themselves. Their impact on the Christian
music industry has been widely unique and accepted, yet the industry
has been unable to appropriately identify their style. Rather than
resting in a single niche among the numerous Christian music genres,
 The
Martins have rummaged freely through a stack of style books,
grabbing whatever interests them. Sometimes the different elements
are unaltered and traditional, but more often they are tossed into
the trio's musical blender so that a new -- and exceedingly tasty --
mixture emerges. The result has been labeled simply as Martin Music
.
While each of the vocalists grew up firmly and
proudly planted in the Southern Gospel tradition, it is not
surprising that as they have matured, a broad range of influences
have entered their musical mix. Billboard Magazine describes The
Martins as, breaking down walls and blurring the lines that separate
Southern Gospel from Inspiration, Adult Contemporary, and other
popular Christian music formats. The trio is now touring in support
of their latest Spring Hill Music release, Decade. This project
showcases the trademark harmonies that The Martins have become known
for and offers a satisfying taste for every musical palate, ranging
from innovative and refashioned hymn arrangements to contemporary
songs of praise & worship. There is a lot of variety in our
repertoire now, says Joyce. But it's still very recognizably us.
After many years of music ministry, and traveling
down some of life's toughest paths, The Martins have garnered six
Dove awards and a Grammy nomination to become one of Christian
music's most critically acclaimed and best-selling vocal groups.
These artists have showcased their stunning and distinctive
harmonies before a vast array of audiences, ranging from Bill
Gaither s award-winning Homecoming Video and Concert Series to the
White House for a televised concert with President and First Lady
Bush, called Celebrating America's Musical Heritage. But, perhaps
one of their biggest accomplishments is the fact that regardless of
their environment, whether performing at historic venues like
Carnegie Hall in New York or sharing the platform at crusades with a
hero like Billy Graham, The Martins can be seen portraying their
usual persona of being identifiable and approachable in a word,
real. Regardless of their circumstances, they haven not forgotten
from where they have come, and are still trusting God to take them
where He wants them to go.
Who wouldn't want to have been a fly on the wall when Leonardo da
Vinci unveiled the Mona Lisa for the first time in the early 1500s?
Surely those hearing about Thomas Edison's work in 1879 began to
turn on their lights in a whole new way. No doubt, the folks living
in Kitty Hawk, NC, in 1903, found new meaning to the word
"transportation" as the first airplane from the Wrights left the
ground.
In the ups and downs of daily life, we all have life-changing
moments
moments that become landmark experiences. For Christian
music fans of the early 90s, the memories of three siblings from
Hamburg, Ark., entering the music industry are fond, and the
concerts and recordings that came as a result will forever be
considered landmarks as a "new form" of music began-"Martin music."
If someone had told The Martins-siblings Joyce, Jonathan and
Judy-when they first began singing harmonies around their mother's
piano bench around the ages of nine, seven and six that they would
one day grace the halls of the White House, perhaps even they would
not have believed it.
DECADE, a collection of hits over ten years from this award-winning
trio, is a walk down memory lane for some
for others it is a
recording of classic moments in time that changed their lives.
DECADE certainly captures a landmark experience from a trend-setting
group whose music and ministry have become inspiring foundations for
future generations.
Growing up in an humble home with no electricity, where they could
actually see the dogs, cats and chickens under the house, the Martin
children found meaning in the things of beauty that surrounded
them-their loving and nurturing parents, friends at their small,
wooded Louisiana church, time with each other around the fireplace
to stay warm
and music.
"I remember the first time I felt the magical vibrations of the
harmony that is created when I sing with my brother and my sister,"
recalls Joyce. "I was 10 when I first discovered harmony. I would
sit beside our mother at our little church and sing the songs from
that 'brown book' hymnal. She sang the alto and my young ear
naturally pulled my voice there. How I loved the sound that rang off
of those white window-lined walls when that small congregation would
sing in four parts!"
"We didn't have a lot," she continues with a smile. "But we had each
other and Mama helped ignite in us our love of music. She'd teach us
the parts after church and then make us practice and practice. Of
course, we practiced acapella as we had no piano at home."
Eventually, the Martin children sold a family car to pay for their
own recording-an old LP that brings smiles of remembrance to their
faces today. They sang for anyone who would listen and traveled
full-time throughout Arkansas, Missouri, Texas and Louisiana; and
the musical chemistry between Joyce, Jonathan and Judy continued to
solidify.
In an industry filled with demos, lead sheets and chord charts-too
many to hear, there is nothing like an actual jaw-dropping
performance by an overwhelmingly talented artist to garner
attention. And there are no "rules" as to where that can take
place
. When Christian music icon Michael English heard these
siblings, he knew there was something special to share. One evening,
prior to a Homecoming event hosted by Bill and Gloria Gaither,
English and comedian/singer/songwriter Mark Lowry pulled Gloria into
a restroom so that she could hear The Martins sing.
That a cappella performance of the hymn "He Leadeth Me" began a
chain of events that took The Martins to national success-new
recordings with their label Spring Hill Music Group, consistent hit
singles and a busy concert calendar of 200 dates annually. The
Martins quickly became known for their unique musical styling, which
continues unbound by genre definitions. They have achieved success
at southern Gospel, inspirational and adult contemporary radio
formats; and for many, they re-defined the description of southern
Gospel music, adding hints of country and pop to their arrangements.
Their self-titled debut and the follow-up recording Live in His
Presence showcased their signature blend and placed them on
prestigious platforms nationwide. In 1996, the group released A
Cappella Hymns Collection, a classic recording that contained their
hair-raising performance of "The Doxology" which they have performed
regularly to standing ovations.
The Wherever You Are recording turned industry heads, and soon fans
and music professionals alike were defining this unique sound as
"the Martins' style of music." Light of the World garnered The
Martins their first GRAMMY nomination; Dream Big solidified the
trio's ability to appeal to even broader audiences and the group
maintained its ministry focus while their popularity blossomed,
garnering runs of DOVE Awards and GRAMMY nods.
Windows found the group continuing to thrive on musical diversity
from the country strains of "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" to the praise
and worship hints of "Mighty God," and their stage presence offered
a contagious combination of life-changing ministry with captivating
entertainment. The siblings found themselves working alongside three
different producers on their Glorify Edify Testify release, which
featured many of the group's favorite hymns from their childhood
combined with modern-day worship songs and church standards.
From "The Grand Ole Opry," the Gaither concert stage and national
television to the DOVE Awards, concert halls nationwide and a visit
to the White House, The Martins have shared their love for their
Father in bigger ways than they ever dreamed back home around that
fireplace. Their precedent-setting musical influence continues today
and is often heard in the works of other artists inspired by them,
and their desire to share the message of the Gospel has impacted
countless lives.
"
there has always been something special about the moments when I
sing with Jonathan and Judy," states Joyce with a smile. "Maybe it's
a genetic thing, but definitely it is a God thing. Even from an
early age, it has always been deeply spiritual to me. I also know
that it is one of my favorite things in the world."
DECADE, compiled by the Martins and Phil Johnson, brings to light,
on one recording, some of the most memorable moments of The Martins'
career up to this point. It also features "Be Still My Soul" and
"Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," songs previously unreleased on
the group's recordings.
"Ten years
wow!" exclaims Jonathan. "When I was listening to this
list of songs, my thoughts were about how blessed we have been to
have the privilege of singing such inspired music. Each song has
memories of ministry attached to it-testimonies of people, including
myself, who have been touched by the lyrics and melodies we were
given the responsibility to share. I feel that any friend of The
Martins will enjoy this recording and remember moments in time that
we all hold dear."
.
Career Highlights:
#1 Radio Singles:
The Promise
We Trust In God
Count Your Blessing
Grace
Out of His Great Love
Top 10 Radio Singles:
So High
Standing On The Promises
Lord Most High
You Are Holy
Except for Grace
Light of the World
Only God Knows
Come On In
Dove Awards:
2004 Southern Gospel Song of the Year: The Promise
Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Above it All
1999 Country Recorded Song of the Year: Count Your Blessing
1998 Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Light Of The World
1997 Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Wherever You Are
Southern Gospel Song of the Year: Only God Knows
1996 Southern Gospel Album of the Year: The Martins
Southern Gospel Song of the Year: Out of His Great Love
Grammy Nominations:
Best Southern Gospel, Country Gospel, or Bluegrass Album of
the Year: Light Of The World
Appearances:
Hard Rock Live! in Orlando
Grand Ole Opry
Sam's Place at The Ryman
700 Club
Crystal Cathedral
Prime Time Country
Crook & Chase
Gaither Homecoming concerts & videos
Silver Dollar City
Dollywood
National Religious Broadcasters (NRB)
Christian Booksellers Association (CBA)
National Quartet Convention (NQC)
Southern Baptist Convention
Estes Park
Praise Gathering
Family Fest
Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY
Celebrating America's Musical Heritage - A Salute to Gospel
Music at the White House
Fox News Channel's Fox & Friends
Gospel Voice Diamond Awards:
1997 - Trio of the Year
1996 - Trio of the Year
1995 - Trio of the Year
Christian Country Song of the Year: Out of His Great Love
Southern Gospel Music Guild Hearts Aflame Awards:
1997 - Artist of the Year
Concept Video of the Year: Stand Up & Be Strong
1996 - Mixed Group of the Year
SoGospelNews Award:
2002 - Best Progressive Album: Glorify Edify Testify
Inspirational Life Awards:
2002 - Southern Gospel Album of the Year: Glorify Edify Testify
Videos:
1999 - Light Of The World Live
1998 - An Evening With The Martins
1995 - Live In His Presence
Honors:
2003 - The Arkansas Walk of Fame in Hot Springs, Arkansas
1998 - Martins Day in Arkansas: June 15
o Governor's Award of Excellence by
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
Spokespersons:
GMA Membership Spokespersons 1998/1999
American Leprosy Missions Spokespersons
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