Michael R. Martin • Adirondack Singer/Songwriter • CedarEdenMusic.com
Whether it was listening to his father’s extensive collection of vinyl and reel to reel on the HiFi or “performing” Johnny Cash tunes for his father at age 7, music has been a part of Adirondack resident singer/songwriter Michael R. Martin’s life as long as he can remember. Drawn to the trumpet in fourth grade, he quickly mastered that instrument, playing with the High School band while still in sixth grade. Michael played through college, winning several national awards. At around age 18, Michael picked up the guitar and began writing songs. Soon after, he retired his trumpet for good and focused on writing and mastering the guitar. As Michael explains, “It was kind of hard to sing and play trumpet at the same time.” In recent years, Michael has added the banjo, harmonica, and ukulele to his repertoire and to his collection of vintage acoustic guitars and his Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster electric guitars.
Michael is a regular on the local music scene, leading a Sunday Praise Service at the Methodist Church with gospel/praise songs and often entertaining diners at the Methodist Church's Wednesday night community suppers with a performance of secular music. Michael is also a member of the band, The Whompers, a wild ensemble of local and traveling musicians who play blues and old-time music. Michael brings a mix of traditional and contemporary folk and folk-rock music and his wide vocal range to the stage. In addition to his original songs, Michael covers such artists as Johnny Cash, Bruce Cockburn, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Cat Stevens, and Neil Young.
Outside of music, Michael is an environmental scientist and consultant studying human impacts on lakes and ponds. He is an expert in evaluating water quality problems and developing lake and watershed management plans. He recently spent three weeks in Louisiana
