shinyheadmusic.com - The Music of Dave Martin - THE MUSIC OF DAVE MARTIN

Demo: A Fool Who Believes

3/19/2016

Here's a demo of the new tune I've written to premiere at GIPC tomorrow. Enjoy!

“A Fool Who Believes” by Dave Martin

I swear I've felt the touch of His hand
And the flutter of the breath of the spirit
But maybe it was the breeze, or the rain,
Or a voice inside my head.

I’ve read the words of the four who walked
And I’ve harkened the words of the prophet,
Spent nights in conversation
And contemplation on the meaning of love.

Despite my faith, I own my fears.
I'm still not sure, but still I'm here!

I choose to believe, how ‘bout you?
My questions feed like faithful fuel
I choose to read and I walk with you.
I think it’s alright to admit I could be a fool.

If so I’m a fool who believes, and that’s cool with me.

With a hunger and a need
To know the answer and live my creed,
Should walking the talk be easy
Or is the challenge some kind of test?

Sometimes it seems it’s only me
Who has to struggle with belief
They didn’t have to work to get it,
But shouldn’t hope be more than a habit?

Despite my faith, I own my fears.
I'm still not sure, but still I'm here!

I choose to believe, how ‘bout you?
My questions feed like faithful fuel
I choose to read and I walk with you.
I have to concede I could be a fool.

Doubt is not my adversary but my faithful friend,
Always there to challenge me yo decide where I stand.
And I know amazing grace was given for you and me.
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.

People if you've made your choice,
Oh won't you let me hear your voice?

I believe in the Father snd the Son,
Holy Spirit, three in one.
Crucified, died for me,
On the third day, he set me free.

I believe!

Sometimes/Surrender: A New Live Song

2/22/2016

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!

Sometimes/Surrender
By Dave Martin
Sometimes, late at night,
While my children rest their heads
And my wife sleeps in my bed,
I lie awake.
My mind it plays
A list of all my failures and regrets,
A catalog of all my shame.
Sometimes, sometimes.
In my past, too many chapters
Written before I knew
The pages weren't just mine.
Sometimes, sometimes.
I must keep reminding myself I'm a work in progress.
I can start over again and I know unless I
Surrender my past to the Lord,
Surrender my illusion of control,
Surrender all I wish I could have done,
Surrender and accept his loving arms.
But sometimes I hang on too tight
To what I was or what I think I might have been.
Sometimes I hang on way too tight,
Trying to be the man I thought I was supposed to be.
Not His plan for me.
Sometimes, sometimes.
I must keep reminding myself I'm a work in progress
I can start over again and I know unless I
Surrender my past to the Lord,
Surrender my illusion of control,
Surrender all I wish I could have done,
Surrender and accept his loving arms.
Sometimes I surrender.

The Last New Song of Summer - "No Favorite Child"

9/23/2015

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.

Dave's 9th Original Song with the GIPC Band: Father's Day

6/25/2015

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.

"The Task" premieres at GIPC

4/25/2015

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.

"The Task:" A New Song Demo (with coffee)

4/10/2015

Working on a new song with my morning coffee... What do you think?

"The Task" by Dave Martin

Oh, my Father, oh my God
No matter how far from You I go
you know my heart

And my spirit longs for you
into your hands,
i place my faith
inside your truth

For thine is the glory
My voice will be Yours
My lips tell the story
My fingers play Your chords

This I pray
This I ask
Set my hands and my heart
To your task

Take my talents and help me work
Inspire the strength I require
to put you first
When I am weak,
and vision fails
Grant me the gift of sight
To gaze beyond my walls

Remind me that the task is love.

New EP "One That Got Away" On Sale Now, "Resonance" EP is now free!

8/15/2014

"One That Got Away" is a 6-track EP album with original compositions by Dave Martin. From bloozy rock to instrumental funk to organ-driven Christian rock, this album represents songs written over the last year and a half, collected with a bonus live acoustic version of the title track.

The digital download is $5, and available now.

In addition, to celebrate the release of One That Got Away, I've made my previous EP "Resonance" free to download. Get it all at my Bandcamp site!

Michigan Winter (TC-Helicon Play Acoustic Looper Demo)

7/29/2014

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!

Dave's First All-Original Solo Acoustic Show

6/24/2014

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

Dave Live at Art On The Avenue in Wyandotte Friday

6/18/2014

This Friday, June 20, I'll be performing at Art On The Avenue in Downtown Wyandotte. The Wyandotte Business Association is holding this event with live music, face painting, food, and open air painting for everyone. I'll be performing on the main stage at Elm and Biddle from 5-6pm, with a set of all-original songs. Afterwards, I'll set up on a street corner and busk 'til dusk!

It would be amazing to have some fans come see the main stage show where I'll perform songs including "20 Beautiful Children," "Arise and Awake," and "So Far Away," as well as songs from my debut EP "Resonance" and "The Sound of Me Ignoring You." I hope to see you this Friday for music, fun, art and shopping on the Avenue!