David Martinez - Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Photo Courtesy of Nancy's Photos - nancia0219@yahoo.com
David Martinez, singer/songwriter, born and bred in Corpus Christi, Texas, will release his independent debut record this Summer. Music started at a young age for David, who was influenced by his father, a multi-instrumentalist. Influences at 4 years old, included Grand Funk Railroad, Kiss, Steve Miller Band, Led Zeppelin, and countless others.
At 15 years old, David's father purchased his first guitar and David immediately started learning chords and how to play to the likes of Zeppelin and Hendrix. Dave hooked up with friends from school and immediately started to song write. This is where a foundation was built and now results are starting to be seen.
In the summer of 2006, David hit the road with Jimmy Willden and Hope Cassity and toured the Western and Northern part of the US. This was an experience that was priceless and led to a meeting with one of David's main influences, Leroy. Leroy came out with his debut album in 2000 and was one of the few signed to Hollywood Records. Before that, Leroy fronted a band called HOG, which was part of the Geffen family.
After the tour ended, David returned and began working on songs he wanted to record and asked Leroy if he would produce. To his surprise, Leroy was ecstatic and excited to be working with someone he could mentor and take to the next level. Leroy has worked with the likes of Bob Cavallo Sr., Jack Joseph Puig, John Mayer, Steve Jordan, and Pino Palladino. In March of 2007, David flew to Los Angeles and recorded two songs at Leroy's Place in Hollywood, CA. One of the songs was "Can't Find You", which served as the catalyst to work on a record with Leroy and his great musician friends.
At the end of May, David jumped in his car, drove from Corpus Christi, Texas to Los Angeles, California, and made it in time to start recording June 1st. Leroy enlisted drummer Kane McGee of The Northstar Session, Cha Chi who is a percussionist in the L.A area, Adam MacDougall, keyboardist, who is a current member of The Black Crowe's and has played with Leroy, Nikka Costa, Macy Gray, and The Jayhawks. This was an experience beyond belief and Leroy pushed David to the limit and summoned the untapped talent within himself. Leroy also played lead guitar, percussion, slide guitar, mandolin, harmonica, backing vocals, and acoustic guitar.
David's family and friends, which include his mother, three brothers, niece, nephew and countless other friends and family are a major influence in David's life which reflect his body of work. The love and devotion of all these people make it possible for David to be in the position he is in. Without them, he would be nothing.
David uses the following gear:
Johnny Ramos - Drums, Percussion, and Backing Vocals
Photo Courtesy of Nancy's Photos - nancia0219@yahoo.com
Johnny J. Ramos Jr., drummer, percussionist, composer, and all around music lover will be teaming up with David Martinez to bring the music to life. Drumming and music, in general, came at a young age , at the age of four to be exact. Johnny's parents are huge influences and their support is infinite.
Some of Johnny's early influences include The Gospel Actions, George Benson, Santana and later influences include Yanni, Bela Fleck, and Dave Mathews Band just to name a few.
Johnny started playing drums at the age of four and played with his family in the churches where his father would pastor. He continued to learn different instruments in Middle and High School and attended Coastal Bend College on a music scholarship where he pursued a Major in Music.
At age 22, the birth of his son, Johnny Ramos III, fueled the desire to better his life and move in a positive direction.
Later on down the road, Johnny married the love of his life, Kerri. She gave birth to their daughter, Angel Noelle Ramos. This magnificent event gave Johnny the motivation to direct this positive energy to his music and gave him a reason to make his life more positive and be the best to his wife and daughter.
After performing with Jazz, Concert, and local church bands, Johnny was introduced to David Martinez and his music. After their first performance on October 17, 2008, Johnny was convinced that, "this is what i need to be doing", and the journey has begun!
David Martinez says this of Johnny:
" I feel like God has blessed us both and I am proud to call this man my friend and my band mate. He is a great father, husband, and has love for his family and friends that goes beyond words. I am happy to have Johnny in the band, but I am more grateful to have a man of his integrity and drive to continue this musical journey. "
Johnny uses the following gear:
Joseph Flores - Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Photo Courtesy of Nancy's Photos - nancia0219@yahoo.com
Joseph Roland Flores was born in Sinton, Texas in the summer of 1979. His musical journey started at an early age thanks to his grandfather and hero Alvaro Ortiz. His Grandfather would spin records to the sounds of Elvis Presley (his favorite), The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Johnny Cash, and various Motown Legends on his old beat up record player. This old record player taught Joseph a lot about guitar playing since it only had the one speaker, it was obvious that Sound engineers would mix the guitar hard right on the mix, which would expose the melody of the music. This helped shape Joseph’s outlook on music and brought a keen awareness to the importance of the melody.
At the tender age of 13, Joseph first picked up a guitar and started learning riffs and licks made famous by the likes of David Gilmour, Randy Rhoads, Eric Johnson, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Andy Summers, Brent Mason, Joe Pass, Andres Segovia, David Grissoms work with Charlie Robison, and countless others. The result came in the form of performing music with bands while in high school to teaching classical guitar to Junior High students. Joseph and some friends started up the band UPC. They received many accolades, including beating out 54 other bands for local radio station C101 on air battle of the bands. The band caught the attention of Major Labels such as A&M records to Dreamworks and seemed to be on the track to stardom, but band subsided due to internal conflict.
Joseph continued on and attended the Berklee College of Music summer camp in Claremont, California where he met the great guitar player/teacher named Jon Finn. He mentored Joseph and insisted the importance of not only guitar playing, but the importance of taking the principles he taught him and incorporating them to his daily life. Joseph kept on with his musical journey and played with the likes of Duke E. Brown to The Renee Anderson Band. This helped Joseph improve his god given talent gave him a better understanding of live performance and how music business works.
Joseph joined The David Martinez Band in February of 2009 and their musical relationship dates back to 2005, where he and David would play acoustic gigs around town. David and Joseph went on to do their own thing but it also gave them time to learn about music and themselves. They both crossed paths again in early 2009 and decided that it was time to make the dream a reality. The band was a perfect fit for Joseph because it is a style that can’t be defined and allows him to be free and incorporate his own style into the band. Look for great things to come in 2009 and beyond!
Joseph Flores uses the following gear:
Johnny Mitchell - Bass Guitar
Johnny Mitchell's musical journey started at a young age. In fact, it starting in 1965 at the tender age of 12 where he started playing local bars and parties and became a hot commodity.
His early influences include The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, and just about any English rock band. He is currently an avid fan of Latin Rock and Pop.
In addition to playing Bass, he also plays six-string acoustic and electric guitar, sings, composes, and keys. He is a very sought after musician for other projects and his talent speaks for itself.
He is currently rehearsing with The David Martinez Band who are getting ready to add a slew of shows over the next few months as they make their push to hit the masses and Johnny has added a soulful dimension to the band just as he did before.
