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Exclusive Interview with John Arthur Martinez

About John Arthur Martinez

Why country music ?
~ I play country music, because I was born a country boy, raised on the ranches and farmlands of my grandfathers. My father kept the dial of his Chevy truck on KVET 98.1 while my mother absolutely loved the music of Hank Williams, Sr. Even after a degreen in English and Communications I could never outlearn my Texas twang, which becomes more prominent the more tired I get! Plus it’s real..

If everything would be possible (waking the dead included) , which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ Wouldn’t it me amazing if Allison Krause harmonized with Hank Williams on "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry."

What song you ever recorded means the most to you and why?
~ Of the song which I’ve written I’d have to say "What Good is I Love You," which I co-wrote with Zach Huckabee and Allen Wallace means the most I must give an answer today. Tomorrow I might have a different favorite creation. I had already completed the song, I thought, and recorded it on an album called Rodeo Night, when I awoke in the middle of the night with the song in mind. A voice inside told me to open the family bible. I did. It opened to the Gospel According to John. A few hours later the song was rewritten and I re-recorded it on my most recent CD Purgatory Road. People have told me at concerts that they’ve lived the song.

Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ I do wish Paul OverStreet and Don Schlitz would write a song for me or perhaps Allen Shamblin and Jon Randall.

Whisky wine beer or water?
~ In my younger days I would’ve said Tequila, but now I drink more water than either beer or wine. I do enjoy a cold Mexican brew with my enchildas or a glass of Texas grown wine with my grilled medium-rare ribeye.

Who are your heroes?
~ Colin Powell, Todd Beamer (his lifesaving efforts and his post-mortem foundation), Andy Roddick, Jimmy Carter.

Describe the ultimate recording studio (not the technique but the facilities)
~ A roomy, clean, non-smoking, facility with many vintage microphones, tube preamplifiers, analogue processers and recording console with creative lighting and an engineer who is also a musician who listens!

Johnny or June ?
~ Johnny.

What do you like to do for fun?
~ I play tennis competetively with folks almost always younger than me. It keeps me young and fit. I love golf scrambles, fine dining with my wife, sunsets with my family, breaking bread (or tortillas) at my mom’s house.

What is your most important message to the world?
~ Please find the good in your neighbors and your potential adversaries and quit focusing on the differences, politically, or culturally. Certainly country music folks understand this. We love Willie Nelson as much as we love Hank Jr. In Texas we want our kids to grow into fine Americans just like the fine folks in Michigan, just like the fine folks in California, just like the fine folks in Tennessee!

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