Gabe Martinez - Interview

Interview (October, 2001)

CCMNI: First of all, introduce yourself and give us a short bio.

Gabe: My name is Gabriel Martinez. I'm 28, was born in L.A. and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1991 and married my wonderful wife Debbie in 1997.

CCMNI: Tell us about your relationship with Christ & how you came to know Him.

Gabe: I grew up in a Christian home, my dad was a pastor...so I've known 'about' Christ all my life. It wasn't until after high school that I really gave my life to the Lord. As a teenager, I would go back and forth between being a sold out youth group member and being a rebellious confused kid...I finally gave up fighting and saw the forgiveness, love and mercy that God was extending toward me. I threw in the towel and have surrendered my life to Christ.

CCMNI: Please give us an example of how Christ has used a particular situation in your life to increase your faith in Him.

Gabe: Everyday I'm reminded that God is real and that He is faithful...every sunrise, everytime I look at the stars. It's been really hard lately, trying to understand all that has happened here in our nation. I was wondering about the significance of what I do...how it fits into the current situation we all are in.

I was invited recently to play for some friends, and for a young boy who is fighting leukemia. He really loves one of my songs and so I sang it for him. I was looking at him and could see his smile and his eyes beaming as I sang the verses he enjoyed so much. It helped me to see how God was using me to be a blessing to this little boy. I could point him to Jesus and share the hope and the comfort that I found with him. He probably doesn't realize it...but that little boy inspired me to keep going more than any sermon ever could have.

CCMNI: How long have you been singing Contemporary Christian music?

Gabe: I started doing this around 1998. But I've been singing Christian music since I was around 14 when a band asked me to be the lead singer. It was alot of fun but I was not real serious about my relationship with God at the time. I also began leading worship in 1992 and that is what really inspired me to pursue music as a way to share about Christ.

CCMNI: What are some of your hobbies or interests besides singing?

Gabe: I love to read. I love Russian authors like Tolstoy and Dosteyevsky. I also enjoy reading CS Lewis and Tolkien. I enjoy running, playing computer games and losing at chess. I'm also an amazing basketball player but the NBA just doesn't realize it.

CCMNI: Give us a funny "road" story. Tell us about your most embarrassing or humorous moment while in concert or traveling.

Gabe: There have been some funny times on the road...but I think the funniest times have been when we've played for just two or three people. When there's no one around the band and I just go crazy on stage...we start quoting lines from crazy movies and pretend we are singing to millions of people and generally act like we are in need of some serious counseling. We crack ourselves up. If my songs weren't so serious in nature we'd probably act like that all the time.

As far as our most embarrassing moment...there are too numerous to even mention...except my brother thinks it's hilarious that one time I cut my forehead taking off my guitar on stage. I had him share a testimony while I went to the restroom to see how bad the cut was. It turned out to be really small but he says that I acted like I was going to pass out... please. (I actually am a bit squeamish about seeing blood...I'm a big wimp I admit it.)

CCMNI: Which artists have had the most influence in what and how you sing?

Gabe: Well, Bob Dylan is the obvious influence on how I write my songs. I've always enjoyed the way Bruce Springsteen puts every ounce of blood, sweat and tears in his vocal performances...so I think I've tried to emulate them in a way. In the Christian world I have been influenced the most by Keith Green. He sang with a passion unequaled by anyone in the world and it was a passion for Jesus. It's amazing when you listen to his music...it's an experience. I tend to feel it's not how technically correct your vocal performance is...it's how much passion you put into what you are singing.

CCMNI: I know you have written many of the songs you have recorded & performed. In your opinion, what makes a great song?

Gabe: I think the best songs are the one's that transcend their own time and become timeless. It's amazing what these last few weeks have done to the music industry. I find myself listening to the radio and realizing that songs that I used to think were so great, seem now to have lost their luster...and it's been those timeless songs that have brought me comfort. Good songs have catchy tunes and catchy lyrics...but great songs can actually grab a hold of you and leave their mark on your soul. 'Amazing Grace' is one of those songs that I'm talking about...or 'America the beautiful'...or how about 'Respect', when Aretha Franklin sings that song it gives me goosebumps...everytime!

CCMNI: Who in the Contemporary Christian music industry have you worked with in the past or are working with currently?

Gabe: The first CD "Through These Thorns" gave me the opportunity to work with Brent Milligan who has produced many Contemporary Christian artists like Mirth, Angie Paris and Seven Day Jesus. I'm currently working with him now on my second album.
Angie Paris and her manager Joni Livingston are two of the most generous people I know. We've been able to do concerts together and share war stories from the road...they have helped me tremendously.
Chris Taylor from Rhythm House Records is an amazing Christian artist and is a very good friend of mine. He lives in San Antonio and we are trying to do a concert together somehow... so I'm looking forward to that.
Although we haven't really worked together...I'm also good friends with Kenny Carter who played in Waterdeep. We talk sometimes and he inspires me with his talent and his unique approach to Christian Music.

CCMNI: What do you feel are the benefits of being an Independent CCM artist as opposed to being on a major label?

Gabe: Being an independent artist allows you amazing freedom of deciding for yourself, what, when, how and with whom you play. We tour whenever we want, we record whatever we want and aren't constrained by a record company's expectations and requirements. But that also means that you are the one who is solely responsible for all of your failures ...which isn't so nice.

CCMNI: Do you feel that being independent has been a major factor in being able to tour with a full band?

Gabe: I don't know how I'm able to tour with a full band to be honest with you.
Tim, Fred, Devin, Dave and Jeff sacrifice time, money and their lives to be on the road with me full time. These guys have inspired me with their commitment and I'm humbled that such talented musicians would even consider playing with me on the same stage.

I think that being an independent artist has helped in allowing us to take our time to develop as a band without the feeling of someone looking over our shoulders. We've been able to tour for a whole year and just kinda find ourselves...discover our strengths and weaknesses on the road.

CCMNI: How about introducing your band at this time?

Gabe: My brother Tim Martinez is from San Antonio and plays the bass, concertina and sings BGV's.
Fred Mandujano from San Antonio is my drummer and sings BGV's...he and I have been friends since high school.
Devin Moore is from all over (I try and introduce him from a different city each time we play) and plays electric and lead guitar.
Dave Blackburn is from Detroit and plays percussion and he's also an excellent drummer.
Jeff Berry from Ohio is our Sound Tech but has become the sixth member of the band by controlling the drum loops that we are incorporating in our shows.

CCMNI: What are some of your future goals in your singing and writing career?

Gabe: I guess I would like to see myself grow in every aspect of what I do...singing and writing. I hope that my songs will continue to give people hope...maybe make them think a bit. One day I hope to write one of those kind of songs I was talking about earlier. A song that transcends its own time. Kinda lofty I know...but a guy can dream can't he?

CCMNI: As an artist, what advice can you give to others on how to get started?

Gabe: I think it is important to have a vision. Know why you want to get started in a music career. If you really believe this is what you are called to do...then do it with all of your might and never let your failures stop you from getting back up and trying again.

CCMNI: What are your priorities or what is most important in your life?

Gabe: What is most important to me is my relationship with Jesus Christ. He died so that I could have life. How amazing is that?
I love my wife and my family and my friends...I love music...but my relationship with Christ is ultimate.

And lately I've been realizing that if He is my priority then He asks my next priority to be my neighbor...to love him as I love myself. It's something I've always known but have not always practiced whole heartedly. But it's no secret that Jesus wants me to remember the poor, the downtrodden and the weak...so actually I've been learning to readjust my priorities lately . Thanks for reminding me.

Get the latest news and updates about Gabe and other featured artists by joining Contemporary Christian Music Network International! Membership is FREE! Click here to join. Click here to go back to the homepage!