Leland Martin's voice hits you like a drum roll, alerting you that serious emotions lie ahead. He sings the hard life he's experienced on his pilgrimage from the sawmills and honky tonks of southern Missouri to the spotlights of Nashville.
Martin was born in the small community of Houston, Missouri. He and his eight brothers and sisters grew up in the even tinier and improbably named settlement of Success.
Leland got his first guitar when he was 11 years old. He taught himself how to sing and play the guitar by listening to, and watching, others. His biggest influences in music were: Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and others. "Haggard is a huge influence on the way I write today!" says Martin.
At 15, Leland started singing in nightclubs. At 16, along with playing music, he got married and started working in sawmills. The next few years Martin worked various jobs and played music at nights. And at times, drove trucks off and on through the years. In 1980, Leland recorded his first record. A two song wax disc. T-Bird Heaven and Tribute To Patsy Cline. Two of the first songs Martin ever wrote. "1000 copies were all that were pressed. Lord knows where they are laying, gathering dust today!" Leland says while laughing.
In 1998 Leland wrote a song called "If I Had Long Legs Like Alan Jackson". It was a big turning point in his life. And it went on to be his first top charting hit nationwide on Kasey Jones' label, IGO Records, and first national CD "Simply Traditional" in 2001. The same happened with his second single "Stone Cold Fingers", that has now become an anthem to many truckdrivers. During this time Martin gained great visability with videos on songs "Stone Cold Fingers", "Our American Heroes", and "Flags On The Christmas Tree". With this, two appearances on the Grand Ol' Opry, touring the country, four more CD's, and three more videos, Leland has gained thousands of fans and a top spot in sales nationwide in truckstops!
The truckdrivers have become Leland's biggest supporters, though non-truckdriving fans support him too!!!
Along with Martin's patriotism, showing his support for our veterans and soldiers, and acknowledging the importance of our truckdrivers, and keeping "real" country music alive for those who still want to hear it, Leland has come out of the little town of Success, Missouri (pop.25) and into the hearts of thousands of fans! To be continued....................
