Chris Martinez is widely recognized as an oh-so-true, blues guitarist and vocalist. Martinez performs with an authenticity that keeps him grounded on the stage. Like many young players he gravitated to the guitar for one simple reason - to pick up girls. But before high school, at ten years old, he borrowed his older brother’s acoustic guitar to learn ZZ Top’s La Grange. His soul resonated with Texas blues.

Cover tunes got him out of the garage and into the public eye but it was the blues that gave him reason to live. Chris worked hard and began composing. He admits that it’s a big responsibility to be true to the roots of the blues.

Writing the blues starts with a story. In the era of text messaging he turned away from paper and pen with his heart on his sleeve. “My girlfriend broke up with me.” It was pure heartbreak. Pleading to be taken back failed despite copious texting. The words however saved me, and made music. Literally, I was singing the blues.

In his early 20s he joined club bands. There was the occasional I-wish-we-didn’t- need-the-money-but-we’ve-got-to-take-this-gig. Chris remembers the hardest $50 he ever made. “It was the opening of a big department store in Northern California. We played between the socks and lingerie.”

Thirty years ago, musicians like BB King built larger and larger audiences for the Blues. With influences like Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, and Buddy Guy, Martinez took on a bigger sound. Vintage Fender amps, a classic collection of heavily strung guitars, a Hammond B3 organ (looks like a 4 poster bed with keys), and a killer horn section projects an authentic sound that guarantees a full house whenever Chris is in town.