Meet Amy Martin | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had the thought this past summer, “you might as well knock because everyone else is.” For the longest time, I had these preconceived thoughts — mostly made up in my own mind — about what it took or what I thought my music career should look like first before pursuing certain opportunities in my music business. Then I realized what had really been going on was that I had been in line to knock but was letting other folks take their turn in front of me. I just had this vision of a flood of folks walking by me, knocking and walking through.

Once I decided that I was worthy, I started knocking and folks like Chance McCoy started answering. I won’t ever stop knocking now.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My first time on stage was at the age of 6 and I sang Martina McBride’s “Life #9.” I remember making my mom go on stage and perform it with me because I was so nervous (she was a karaoke DJ and sings too). Little did I know, she had asked the sound guy to mute her mic so it was just me coming through the PAs and I was belting away. The whole place erupted and I was hooked to performing and singing from that moment on. I spent my early adolescent competing in karaoke competitions and performing in my high school’s musical productions. Once I turned 18 and got into college, I joined my first band. We were a genre bending bluegrass band that “did what we want with bluegrass instruments.” I was the vocalist of that and spent my college and young adult years touring sections of the east coast and playing regionally with the band as their lead vocalist. In March of 2020, I finally decided to put out my first solo album — it was an eclectic mix of singer/songwriter tracks that gave a nod to the genres that influenced me growing up (blues, alternative, motown, gospel, rock n roll, jazz and classic country) and it was a chance to begin figuring me out as a solo artist. Over quarantine, my passion for my music really boiled over and I decided it was time to move from Virginia after having been living and playing music there my whole life to start somewhere new with a larger scene and more opportunity.

I chose Denver because as a queer person, much of my personal challenges stemmed from the conservative area I was living in. I longed to break free of “towing the line” as a queer person and really wanted to see what it would be like to pursue music 100% without holding back or playing it safe in order to be more accepted. So, I wrote a song called “Sweet Virginia” about my moving West, released it, and then packed up a moving truck with my 2 cats and dog and headed across the country. I had never left home and it wasn’t until 2019 that I had ever even flown on a plane.. so this was a big deal for me and the community I grew up in.

Since arriving in Denver, I’ve hit the ground running playing lots of gigs and knocking on any and every door that I wanted to knock on. That new mentality is what granted me the opportunity to have Grammy Award Winning Musician/Producer, Chance McCoy, produce my upcoming album. The first single from that album will be dropping in just a few months and I have to say that I’ve never been more proud of anything in my life than this album. Each track has something to say and I didn’t hold back– I’ll never hold back again.

I think what I would want the world to get from me and my story is this: Live your truth. Each day that I didn’t and I ignored that small voice in the back of my mind in order to do what I thought I “should do” was a day wasted and another heartache to mend. My hope is to use any platform I’m given to represent the voices that are much like mine that I’ve journeyed with in my time as a musician and human thus far: the queer, the women, the scrappy folks who don’t shy away from the hard stuff, the folks who want to pursue a higher power but are told they don’t check the boxes, etc. Americana/Country music should be for everyone– unfortunately, that wasn’t always the message I received– but I aim to prove them wrong by kicking down one door at a time and having a ton of fun doing it. I can’t wait you all to hear this next album.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I’m going to be the worst at this question since I just got to Denver in April of last year — but I am lactose intolerant so moving out of the South where everything is affectionately deep-fried and mixed with heavy cream has had it’s upsides. My soccer buddies who I play pick up with (lots of soccer options in Denver!) have turned me on to vegan “seitan wings” and City O’ City has some of the best. I also love art, so the Denver Art Museum is a must and Meow Wolf Denver is a super cool immersive art experience that’s fun with friends. Lastly, I love checking out shows at Denver Comedy Underground — there’s tons of local and touring talent to be found if you’re looking for a laugh!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to one of my dear mentors, Bobby! He’s been on this journey with me since moving to Colorado and has really helped me tap into me– both as a human and as an artist/entrepreneur. He’s helped me gather some really incredible tools that better equip me to receive the next opportunity in life and in business.

Website: https://amymartinmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymartinmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmyMartinMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amymartinmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxbtA00gHFlNb7kBheuzjPw

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3xIiUPeYL2xUp2CLk8TNxX?si=S8Jae3DQQkuA02z3gqG8Tw&nd=1

Image Credits
Alya RM Photography Justine Bean Photos Jacqueline Turner