From the sunny suburbs of Los Angeles, CA, American Country-Rock singer/songwriter/bassist, Kim Martin is turning heads and gaining fans globally, with a fresh blend of California-Country fused with Southern-Rock flavor.
Kim grew up in the foothills of Hacienda Heights, CA and currently resides in the Inland Empire. Already well established as “one of the hardest working musicians in “So-Cal”. Her fans describe her as a country girl at heart with rock & roll in her soul, dedicated, energetic, and fearless. She is a genuine artist, and her music is a direct reflection her. In a sea of emerging country artists, Kim stands out not only as a fluent bassist/lead vocalist, and songwriter, but also extremely versatile, with an extensive range of influences; ranging from Linda Ronstadt to Led Zeppelin…and everything in between. Kim is currently preparing for a late Spring 2017 launch of her self-released, EP “Old Southern Soul” on her indie label Bellavicious Records.
The EP consists of five songs she wrote featuring: Kim Martin on Vocals/Bass Guitar, and some of best musicians in the business. Including: world renowned Producer/Engineer/Guitarist/Multi-instrumentalist: Hank Linderman (Eagles, Chicago, America, Timothy B. Schmit) Guitar and pedal steel by John McFee (Doobie Brothers) on “Country Girl." Fiddle by Brian Arrowood (Travis Tritt). Drums by Drew Hester (Joe Walsh, Chicago, Stevie Nicks). Drums by Ronnie Ciago (Rickie Lee Jones, Mick Taylor, Bill Ward, Patrick Moraz ) on “Old Southern Soul”. Hammond B3 Organ by Sammy Avila (Walter Trout) on the heartfelt, emotional ballad “I Stayed”. The story telling in her songs is a direct reflection of her spirit and journey in the last 8 years, both in music and life.
Kim was introduced to producer/engineer, Hank Linderman in January 2015 at The NAMM Convention in Anaheim, CA through her good friend James Grover (industry insider/guitar tech for Kevin Eubanks (The Tonight Show Band). By April 2015 the recordings were underway at Parsons Green in Los Angeles. Being a bass player first, Kim had to have a guitarist to collaborate with. Hank was that guitarist. He is a master at his craft; knows exactly what the songs need, and brought out the best in Kim. She knew she wanted a fresh country sound with southern rock flavor; and with Hank’s “genius” and multi-instruments, they achieved that. Blending acoustic, electric, lap steel, pedal steel, and resonator guitars; banjo, fiddle, electric bass, drums, percussion, and Kim’s powerful, signature vocals and harmonies. Self-taught on acoustic guitar, she wrote all her songs while strumming her six-string; except for the ballad, “I Stayed” which she used a keyboard. Kim comes from a musical family, where singing came naturally. She started singing in elementary school and started playing bass at age 14. Music is in her heart and soul, it’s what moves her inside out. She is also a graduate of Berklee College of Music-Boston MA, (Bass Guitar) and Grove Music School- Van Nuys, CA (recording/engineering)
Kim is a full-time musician and has performed over 200 shows a year over the past 13 years while managing her cover band, The Kim Martin Band, (Featuring Kim-vocals/bass guitar, Carlos De La Paz-Guitar, and Ronnie Ciago-Drums). She also had the honor of singing The National Anthem at the 2016 America Ride in Irvine, CA. A fundraiser for service dogs for veterans. Kim has developed a great following and her fans have been eagerly awaiting her original music for years. Kim’s passion for music covers many genres, but has always been drawn to the story telling in country music and her song writing naturally flowed in that direction, along with a blend of her first love, rock & roll. She is now ready and excited to share her music with the world!