Performed live at Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 21, 2016, here's my latest composition.  Featuring Derek Bolton, Jason Cassell, Mike Karoub, Godfrey Porter, and Doug Scott.  Give it a listen and share it if you love it!

On Sunday, September 20, the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church Band performed my latest composition, a song titled "No Favorite Child."  This song fit the sermon and liturgy of the day, and pastor Phillip Reed's request for a "poignant melody that sticks with you."  Take a listen and see how we did! 

No Favorite Child by Dave Martin

Show me a young boy, foreign in race
And I will show you your brother.
A woman who was not born near this place:
Look into the eyes of your mother.
Clearly, I tell you we are all the children who
Can seek and find and know Him too.

But there is no favorite child.
A place set for you and for me.
There is no favored tribe.
One circle of humanity.
There is no favorite child.
One circle of humanity.

Are we the lucky ones with plenty and peace
Or do our earthly ties bind us?
Do we see children of God everyplace
Or do all our close comforts blind us?
We may be favored and we may be blessed
But if we keep ours will we later be last?

There is no favorite child.
A place set for you and for me.
There is no favored tribe.
One circle of humanity.
There is no favorite child.
One circle of humanity.

On Sunday, June 21, 2015, the GIPC Band premiered Dave's ninth original composition, "Father's Day."  Written with inspiration from his children and Genesis, the song's lyrics explores both Dave's relationship with his children and God's with his.  Featuring the excellent GIPC band, Doug Scott, Godfrey Porter, Michael Karoub, and Jason Cassell.  

You can see all nine original songs performed by the GIPC band on this YouTube playlist. 

"Father’s Day" by Dave Martin

When God looked down at all that He had made
He saw it was good, that’s what they say.
And when his children looked up to Him with love,
That was the first father’s day. 
 
And it was good.
Yeah, it was good.

How can you be so much like me
And be yourself in so many ways? 
I’ll give you everything, a gift you can’t repay,
Your Father’s love is here to stay.

How can you be so much like me
And still surprise me with the things that you say?
I’ll give you everything, just show your children the way,
And every day is Father’s day.

Now every father knows all children must grow,
Change, and move away.
Because those kids, you see, they're really you and me,
And we’re made to stumble along the way.


How can you be so much like me
And be yourself in so many ways? 
I’ll give you everything, a gift you can’t repay,
Your Father’s love is here to stay.

How can you be so much like me
And still surprise me with the things that you say?
I’ll give you everything, just show your children the way,
And every day is Father’s day.

And it is good.
He is good.
All the time, He is good.

My latest song, "The Task" premiered with the GIPC Band in worship last Sunday.  Featuring the always amazing musicianship of Doug Scott, Jason Cassell, Godfrey Porter, Michael Karoub, and Derek Bolton, the congregation got in on the act also.  If you listen closely during the choruses, you can hear the entire church singing "This I pray, this I ask, set my hands and my heart to your task." Before playing, I taught the refrain, and the result was an amazing moment of live music in praise of God.  I hope you enjoy it also.  

Next week, there are three chances to see Dave perform live around the Metro Detroit area.  

First, on Sunday night at 7pm, Dave helps lead a praise band at Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills, performing Christian Rock hits by Chris Tomlin and Hillsong United, and Meredith Andrews (among others) with a band of great professional musicians.  

Next, Monday, Dave does a 180 and sings with The Rhythm Kings, a 9-piece, horn-driven show band at the Motor City Casino's Chromatics Lounge from 7-11pm. 

Finally, Dave will play a solo acoustic show at Wyandotte Business Association's Third Friday celebration "Beer Fest" from 5 to 9pm.  Tickets for the beer fest are $20 each, and will be sold at the clock tower at the corner of Biddle and Maple.  

Come check out any or all of these gigs, and say hi when you do! 

On Saturday, September 6, Hubbell Street performed a variety of styles at the Rochester Hills Arts and Apples festival.  Here are three performances: R&B staple "Unchain My Heart," "Hold Us Together," by Christian rock artist Matt Maher, and the cool jazz standard "Take Five."  Contact me if you are interested in booking this great group of musicians - we can play whatever you like!  

Jason Cassell, Drums
Dave Martin, Guitar and Vocals
John Phillips, Saxophone
Godfrey Porter, Bass
Doug Scott, Piano

I recently picked up a TC-Helicon Play Acoustic pedal, capable of processing my guitar and vocals, adding effects and harmonies generated real-time from my live performance.  

I've recorded two videos using the pedal now, both featuring an original song and highlighting features of the pedal.  This video, featuring my song "Michigan Winter," shows the looper function of the pedal, as I record vocal percussion and a rhythm track to accompany guitar solos.  

I'm busily creating new sounds for dozens of songs, and I look forward to showing them off live.  Check back to find out when!

On Friday, June 20, I performed my first show of 100% original material at Wyandotte's "Art on the Avenue."  These are songs I've written over the last few years and include children's songs, songs written for church, acoustic ballads and sing-along anthems.  The crowd was small due to the rain, but certainly appreciative.  Enjoy!

6.20.14 Setlist

Resonance 0:09
Diamonds and Gold 3:36
Michigan Winter 7:58
Don't Say Goodbye 11:34
Tonight's The Night 16:02
Step Aside 20:40
The Sound of Me Ignoring You 25:34
Arise and Awake 28:45
20 Beautiful Children 32:38 
Victimless Crime 36:54
So Far Away 40:06
One That Got Away 45:33

Join me on Thursday, January 30th at the Firehouse Gallery at Oak and 20th in Wyandotte from 6-9pm.  I'll be playing a solo acoustic show with lots of songs you know and original compositions you'll love.  While you're there, browse the great artwork for sale, at the lowest prices ever.  This will be the last artist party at the Firehouse, which will now be used as a rental space.  Hope you can join me!