I’m 22 and I feel like I’ve already had a wonderful journey.

I started playing music when I was 5, my folks got me some violin lessons. They were actually for my older sister Lina, but after her first lesson the teacher said her fingernails were too long and that she had to cut them in order to play. She decided never to go back, and since my folks had paid for a month’s worth of lessons, they gave them to me. Thank goodness for that. I feel that my classical training has helped me so much with my music today. Thanks to mom and dad for that one.

I didn’t start singing till I was 12, I sang in choir, and I guess this story goes back to that same sister. Lina went to the same middle school, had a great voice, so the choir teacher wanted to see if I could sing like my sis. It worked out, and that’s kinda why I do what I do. Right after that, I started with the guitar, and immediately began writing songs. Thanks to Lina for that.

A couple years later I met a wonderful guitarist/producer Chazz Bessette. If you guys wanna know anything about guitars go visit him at Guitar Center in Tacoma. He’s the guitar guy, pretty cool! Him and I did an album together in 2000 called "VMB." We eventually want to redo it, but we’re not sure when. There’s some great songs on that disc. I did a couple acoustic cd’s, and planning on doing another one pretty soon. I also came out with my latest album in July of 2003, "Sleep To Dream," produced by me and Paul Speer…http://www.rainstormrecords.com.

I’ve done some pretty cool stuff. I got to be on the April 9th episode of the CBS talent show "Star Search." (2003). I won that round and went on a couple days later…no win, but a great time! In November of 2000 at Seattle’s King Cat Theatre, I was chosen from 23 other finalists, who were selected from over 4,000 participants statewide, to win first prize in "Believe," a vocal talent competition. That was nice because I won $1000 and got to fix my crappy car. Some people don’t know this, but I tried out for the first American Idol. I was selected to go to Hollywood, but after receiving the contract, (along with paid tickets to Cali) I decided not to sell them my soul…good move for me since I write all my own music…ah well.

I’ve had a great time meeting a lot of cool people that are doing what I’m doing. Lotsa cool bands! Jude Bowerman, Flowmotion, Danny Godinez, Combustion Collective, Steve Stefanowicz, Holly Figueroa, Sean Campbell…the list goes on and on. I’ve been privileged to play with many great musicians. Rod Cook (guitar), Doug Barnett (bass), James Clark (bass) , Barbara Blue (bass), Darin Watkins (drums), Derek Brown (bass), Jeff Leonard (bass). Casey Miller (drums), Chris Brooks (drums), Chad Quist (guitar), Andrew Cloutier (drums), Kerry O’Connor (keyboards), Marcus Vann (bass), Cliff Colon (saxophone), Sue Orfield (saxophone), Alexey Nikolaev (saxophone), Keith Lowe (bass), Steve Bishop(guitar), Lisa Mann (bass), Joey Porter (keyboards), Eric Bryson (bass), Zachary Stewert (guitar), and my little friend Abigail Fein (percussion/back up vocals).

Its been a great ride, and I can’t wait for the rest of it. With what we all go through in our lives, we need something to bring us comfort…music is it. Everyone deserves to be happy, and happiness is in a song.

The Vicci Martinez Band

 

Vicci Martinez

 

Rod Cook

 

Jeff Leonard Darin Watkins

Among Her Many Live Performances

Jazzbones The Tractor Tavern The World Famous Swiss Pub The Nectar
Miss Washington USA 2004 Pageant Rialto Theatre CBS tv Star Search, Hollywood CA University of Washington
Doc Maynards Starbucks Suite G Borders Books
Temple Theatre The World Famous Brick Tavern, Roslyn, WA Experience Music Project The Paragon Grill
Jetdeck Panamonicas White River Amphitheater Twisp River Pub
Irish Emigrant Mickey O'Reilly's The Triple Door Wild Buffalo
Fenders Fenix Underground Shakabrah Java Grand Hyatt Ballroom, Hong Kong

Music Festivals

Folklife 2003 Taste of Tacoma Bite of Seattle Bonney Lake Days
Thurston County Fair Hempfest Womyns Music Festival, Michigan Summer Meltdown
Sunbanks Rhythm & Blues Festival
Grand Coulee, WA
WiminFest 2005
Albuquerque, NM
Rendezvous Rhythm & Blues Festival
Oroville, WA
Bubershoot 2005
Seattle, WA

Some of the Noteable Artists Vicci Has Opened For
or Shared the Stage With

The Presidents of the United States of America Sting Annie Lennox Johnny Lang
Roomful of Blues Cardboard Vampyres Christopher Cross Pinetop Perkins
Alvin Youngblood Hart Laura Love Carrie Akre Walter Trout
Tab Benoit Horatio Hernadez The Radiators Maria Muldaur
and many more!

NOTABLE QUOTABLES
"Vicci has incredible talent and I love her stage presence!"
-Ben Stein
"She’s living proof the world needs more artists like Vicci Martinez."
-Naomi Judd
"She plays well and she rocks well!"
-Amhet Zappa

 

 

www.viccimartinez.com

 

Copyright 2007 Vicci Martinez - All Rights Reserved
(Website design by Cliff Colon and Jim Cecil)