About Me
There’s a new girl in Nashville and to Amanda Martin, singing is like breathing. Born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, she spent her early years listening to her parents perform the best of Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings in the honky-tonks of the North Country. Amanda came to Nashville in 1999 to attend Belmont University’s Music Business Program from which she received her degree in 2003 in Music Business Management. During her second year at Belmont, she was awarded the prestigious “Best of Belmont” which afforded her the opportunity to perform with Vince Gill. After graduating from Belmont, Amanda appeared on the “Oh Mickey, Where Art Thou?” compilation with other artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Collin Raye, and Charlie Louvin. She then went on to sign her first publishing contract with Best Built Songs, and became affiliated with the performing rights organization BMI in 2004. A gifted guitar player and songwriter Amanda is inspired by Dwight Yoakum, Garth Brooks, Lucinda Williams, and Elvis Presley. Mesmerizing to everyone who hears her, Amanda’s voice has been described as “deeply emotional without being remotely fluffy” and “distinctive, both sweet and just a little bit naughty.” Her songwriting commands attention with profound lyrics that are both accessible and without pretension. She opened for Tanya Tucker at the historic Ryman Auditorium in May of 2006 and currently performs regularly on the “Billy Block Show” for which she was nominated as one of the “Best of Locals Only” artists in 2007. In addition, she recently signed endorsements with Dean Markley Strings, as well as Boulder Creek Guitars. She is currently working on a duet entitled “Nothin’ That I Wouldn’t Do for You” which she co-wrote and recorded with Lee Greenwood. The year 2008 also will see the release of Amanda’s song, “Sometimes a Man Takes a Drink” on Trace Adkins’ upcoming album.