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Help Fund "The Crown Sessions" CD with your Pre-order!

2/16/2021

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Click here to launch the kickstarter page

Today, I'm launching a Kickstarter to fund the release of my album of new original music, entitled "The Crown Sessions"

In March, 2020, when the virus shut down the middle school where I teach choir, my first reaction to the fear and anxiety of the global pandemic was to channel my emotions into creativity.  When my church, Grosse Ile Presbyterian, had to transition to online worship, I decided to contribute by writing and recording songs for virtual services in my home studio.

Over the next 9 months, I contributed 12 new original songs to worship services, all recorded in my home.  I played guitar, piano, bass, drums, and sang, and I incorporated socially distant contributions from Doug Scott (piano), Carole Scott (flute), David Alvarez (drums), Godfrey Porter (bass), and Jordan Schug (cello).
Lyrically, the songs were each written to support a particular bible passage, sermon theme, or holiday.  The lyrics are personal but always reaching for God.
Musically, this group of songs encompasses a wide range of styles, including acoustic ballad, music theater, 60s rock and roll, funk, orchestral, jazz, and modern worship.
This Kickstarter is a chance for you to own a professionally-produced CD of this special music, and also your opportunity to help the music reach a global audience, while sounding its best. 

Please check out my Kickstarter to pre-order your CD, and to help bring this music to all streaming platforms and a worldwide audience.  Thanks! 


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New CD Kickstarter Launching Soon!

2/9/2021

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The new CD, "The Crown Sessions," consisting of songs of faith written during the pandemic in 2020 is ready to publish, it just needs your help!  Pre-order your copy and be a part of bringing the music to the world. 

See the Pre-launch Kickstarter page here. 
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New Original Song: "Nashon (Waters Part)

8/15/2020

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I've taken the last month off from composing and recording new songs, instead focusing on taking classes and going to conferences to help me be a better educator during the pandemic, as well as spending time with my family and taking drum lessons.  This week's sermon by the Rev. Dr. Phillip Reed of Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church was inspiring, and introduced me to the namesake of this new song. 

Nashon, according to Midrash (a collection of stories and statements studied by Rabbi), was among the Israelites who stood at the edge of the Red Sea, trapped by Pharoah's advancing army.  When Moses declares God will deliver them, a man named Nashon stepped forward first.  He stepped into the sea, and when his nose finally submerged, the waters parted, giving the Israelites their path to freedom. 

My goal with this composition was to put the listener into the mind and body of Nashon, his footsteps (and later heart beat) portrayed with the bass drum, and the sound of the water in the reverse-delayed guitars.  I hope you enjoy it. 

Nashon (Waters Part)
by Dave Martin

I step with faith, do not let me sink.
Cold seas engulf me limb by limb, I seek delivery in the deep.
Let my stride follow the path that leads to You.
Master of the world, what am I to do?
Let my next step be the first to seek your grace.
Not a test of you but of my trust.  I give myself to faith. 
My heart is helpless, but I will not turn around.
Belief propels me. You’ll be with me as we drown.
Waters part!

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New Orchestral Arrangement of Original Song: No Favorite Child

6/28/2020

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Written, performed, and produced by Dave Martin.
This song was premiered at the 6/28/2020 online service for the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church.

No Favorite Child by Dave Martin
​

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

No, 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.
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New Original Song Recording: Father's Day

6/21/2020

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Father's Day is a song I wrote in 2015 for premiere with the GIPC Band, and I recorded this version for the GIPC's 2020 Father's Day online service on June 21, 2020. 

The lyrics to this song reference Genesis ("And it was good") and refer to God the Father, but there are layers to the words I'd love to explain. 

My father passed in 2013, but one of the things I recall him explaining to me when I was young, was this: He and my mother said they owed my brother and I everything, and in return, we owed them nothing. Instead, we owed everything to our children, if we have them some day. Little did I know, he was describing the concept of grace. This conversation is the inspiration for the lines "I'll give you everything, a gift you can't repay... Just show your children the way."

When I wrote the song in 2015, my children were 9 and 6 years old.  Their individual personalities were well formed, and I would often notice something of my wife or myself in them.  This observation led to the lines "How can you be so much like me and be yourself in so many ways?" and "...and still surprise me with the things that you say?" 

Today, my children are 14 and 11.  They are themselves in every way, yet I continue to see the echoes of not only my wife and myself but also my father in them.  And it is good. 

"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.

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News-Herald Article on Dave's Recent composing

6/14/2020

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Today, the News-Herald published Sue Suchyta's article on Dave's composing for Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church's online services.  You can read the article here. 

To hear all the songs, scroll down this page or visit Shinyhead Music's YouTube channel. 




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A Jazzy New Tune: Help! Thanks! Wow!

5/24/2020

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Recorded in 5 home studios for the May 24, 2020 virtual Memorial Day service for the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, Help! Thanks! Wow! was inspired by the book of the same name by Anne Lamott.

David Alvarez - Drums
Dave Martin - Guitar and vocals
Godfrey Porter - Bass
Jordan Schug - Cello
Douglas Scott - Piano

Help! Thanks! Wow!
by Dave Martin and Douglas Scott
Help! Thanks! Wow!
Three little words that mean
Everything I can’t find words to say
It’s a simple prayer that seems
Like it might be all I need
To say what my whole heart feels now.
I know that you’ll catch on somehow
​Help! Thanks! Wow!
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Original Mother's Day Song Premiere: Another Word For Love

5/10/2020

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This song was written for the 5-10-2020 Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church virtual service. The YouTube video above will premiere at 11:30am, after the service ends. 

Another Word For Love
words and music by Dave Martin
performed by Dave Martin

Mother is another word for love.
Mother means sacrifice and caring,
Mother means selfless and strong.
A mother’s someone to lean on who knows right from wrong.
Mother is another word for love.

And a mother can be family or a friend.
A mother wants to know where you are
and she cares where you’ve been.
She’s a confidant and a helping hand,
But a mother can be family or a friend.

Sometimes mothers are tough, 
sometimes mothers are cool,
But they always  remind you 
when your acting a fool.
They cherish the laughter 
And the sad times too.
And you miss her when she’s gone,
But not as much as when she misses you.
A mother cares and she’ll tell you so,
A mother keeps you in her prayers,
and she might say, or just let it show.
A mother holds you in her heart and she never lets go.
A mother cares and she’ll tell you so.
Every woman you meet has been a mother
To her own or to someone else’s kid.
Because we all need more 
Than what our parents can give,
Every woman you meet has been a mother.
So, Let’s hear it for our moms,
and all our other moms too!
our Sisters and our teachers, friends and
Grandmas, aunts and everyone who
showed us selfless love,
and cared our whole lives through.

To every woman, 
happy mother’s day to you!
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Original Song Premiere: Our Hearts Were Burning

4/26/2020

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My weekly song-based-on-a-bible verse challenge continues, with a song inspired by Sam Cooke. This song was a part of the 4/26/2020 virtual service of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church. 

The passage is Luke 24:13-35, The Road to Emmaus.  After Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, 2 travelers walk along the road and encounter a man they do not recognize.  The men lament Jesus' death and wonder about rumors of an empty tomb, and the stranger reassures them with scripture that all is happening as has been foreseen. They reach their destination, and at the moment Jesus breaks bread with them, they recognize him, and He disappears.  They ask, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

The phrase "our hearts were burning" suggested an 60s R & B style and chord progression, and I decided to incorporate doo-wop vocals as part of the mix.  I hope you enjoy it. 


Our Hearts Were Burning
Written by Dave Martin
Guitar, drums, bass, and vocals: Dave Martin
Piano: Douglas Scott
Flute: Carole Scott


We were walking down the road,
We were talking bout the Lord,
And how he met his end at Calvary.

When a stranger matched our pace,
Friend, he said, why the long face?
We had to break the news he had not seen.

Told him our Lord was sent to die.
We couldn’t believe our eyes
When he was both betrayed and crucified.

And worse, since that day,
Someone took His body away.
And now some rumors say that’s he’s alive!

And friend,
Our hearts are burning, burning inside!
Our hearts are burning, oh, burning.
Our hearts are burning, burning inside!
Our hearts are burning, oh burning.

That stranger listened as we walked,
Then he began to talk
Of prophecy, and he told us to not to grieve.

All that’s happened’s been foreseen,
Every trial of the teacher
From his birth to his death has been decreed.

Amos saw the darkest day, (Amos 8:9)
The Psalms sang of His betrayal. (Psalms 41:9)
Isaiah wrote that he would hang among the thieves. (Isiah
53:12)

Although deceived by a friend, (Psalm 41:9)
He will rise and will ascend. (Psalm
16:10)
It is written, the Messiah, He will live again!

Our hearts were burning, burning inside!
Our hearts were burning, oh, burning.
Our hearts were burning, burning inside!
Our hearts were burning, oh burning.

We walked and we talked until the end of day,
And then we said, “Friend, join us for a meal to keep you strong.”
When he took the bread and broke it, our eyes were finally opened.
The stranger was the Lord, he’d been with us all along!

Our hearts were burning, burning inside!
Our hearts were burning, oh, burning.
Our hearts were burning, burning inside!
Our hearts were burning, oh burning.

Just as quickly as He came
The Lord left, but he left a flame.
The fire is lit to this day, And our hearts are burning!
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Original Song Premiere: A Fool Who Believes

4/19/2020

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This week, I've re-recorded another song originally performed by the GIPC band.  This one is all me - 3 layers of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, and a funky, fun feel.  The lyrics elaborate on my choice to be a Christian, one that came later in my life of agnostic skepticism.  Doubt is not my adversary, but my faithful friend - maybe you can relate? 

A Fool Who Believes
​Written, performed, and recorded by Dave Martin.
This version was a part of the 4/19/2020 virtual service of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church.

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 thoughts 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
To 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! (I believe!)
In the Father and the Son
Holy Spirit, three in one
Crucified, died for me
On the third day, He set me free

I believe! (I believe!)
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