Martin started singing at the age of six in the local village church choir. He formed his first band 'The Handful' at the age of thirteen. He has been playing flute and saxophone since he was a teenager. He had a mis-spent youth touring with support bands to some of the top acts of the 1970s and '80s. He has appeared on television, played on radio and done some session work. His musical influences include Ray Charles, Steely Dan, Michael Brecker and Jackson Browne, but more than anyone his former music teacher Mr A L 'Cocker' Flay. He was inspirational!