Vicci Martinez - Sleep to Dream - December 2004

I’m 20 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), 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.

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