RockRGrl Magazine January/February, 2005 By Angela Jossy When Vicci Martinez picks up her guitar and starts to sing, a smooth yet gritty and soulful voice emerges. Her lyrics are playful but wise. Sometimes they tell a story and other times they celebrate life and spread hope. At 20, Martinez is already a veteran performer. When she was 14, her parents brought to an open mic at a local coffee shop near her Tacoma Washington home. At 16 she took first place in the Washington State High School talent competition. Martinez was accepted to compete on American Idol, but was uncomfortable with the show's contract and ultimately declined. Her second opportunity arrived when she was invited to audition for Star Search in 2003. After passing the audition, Martinez flew to Los Angeles to appear on the show. She won the first round, but lost the second. Surprisingly, she is not disappointed by the outcome. "People told me they were happy I didn't win because they didn't want me to be known as a Start Search sell-out," she says. Nevertheless, the show opened many doors. Through Star Search, Martinez made some influential friends and received encouragement from the show's celebrities including Ahmet Zappa, Wynonna and Naomi Judd and emcee Arsenio Hall. She is quick to point out that the show doesn't define her as an artist; however it did help her gain a bigger following and increased offers. In July 2003, she completed an album, Sleep to Dream, with Grammy- nominated and Emmy-winning producer Paul Speer. Martinez has learned some of her career lessons the hard way. "I've always had a 'whatever happens, happens' mentality," she says, "But the players I've been working with have taught me that I need to be more professional about things. I need to arrive at my gigs on time. I need to tell my band beforehand how long we're playing and what we're doing. I thought I could sing in a smoke-filled bar for five nights in a row. Hell no! I got sick and had to get antibiotics for a throat infection. I had to cancel two weeks worth of shows." Despite the learning curve, the do-it-yourself approach has paid off well for Martinez. Her song Fade Away from Sleep to Dream was recently featured as a Hot Pick on NPR's All Songs Considered. "I like to have that good message in a song that is going to help the world somehow," she explains. "Whether it does or it doesn't, I know that I tried. It's my good deed for the world. And the great thing is I get to do it anytime I want. I love it." Angela Jossy BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE

 

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