Bryan Martin heals painful life with music

Fans relate to his blue-collar, hard-working background

By Preshias Harris

Bryan Martin came up working hard for everything he has achieved.  Along the way, he has faced almost overwhelming challenges – many of which, he admits, have been what he calls “self-inflicted.”

During CMA Fest, Bryan and I sat down to talk about his recent album, Poets & Old Souls, and the connection between his hard life and his music.

Just days after CMA Fest, Bryan released his latest single titled “Goin’ For Broke” (Average Joes Entertainment), available on all major digital platforms. Listen to “Goin’ For Broke” here and watch the gritty B&W music video (directed Julian Mendoza) here.

Bryan Martin’s hardscrabble music is obviously resonating with his fans. Poets & Old Souls has already garnered over sixty million worldwide streams, and one of the album tracks, “We Ride” recently broke the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

“I’ve never quit a job. I’ve never been run off [of a job],” he told me. “I’ve always worked for everything I have since I was a kid in the hayfields and everywhere. I’ve always been taught to be self-sufficient.”

But Bryan is honest about the hard times.  “I grew up around addiction,” he admitted. “A lot of times I would put myself in bad situations.” He felt that if he didn’t go through hardship, he didn’t deserve anything good in his life.

He talked about the “dark hole” that led to a suicide attempt and how he began to see a light at the end of the tunnel when he rediscovered music and the healing that came from songwriting.

  • Read my full interview with Bryan Martin, posted here at Country Music News International.

Meanwhile, find out more about Bryan Martin, listen to his music and check out his upcoming tour dates at his website and Facebook page. Follow Bryan on Instagram and Twitter. Stream/listen to Poets & Old Souls here and watch his videos at his YouTube page. #BryanMartin

Preshias Harris  is an advocate for songwriters and a music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at   www.collegeofsongology.com  Follow her blog at  www.nashvillemusicline.com #PreshiasHarris