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I love the wonderful and interesting e-mail I received from Donna V. Williams-Martin.
She has some exciting news about her son, in addition to a quote by Walt Disney that sums it all up very nicely, including her family's many connections to our region's claim-to-fame Michael Jackson.
"It's a small world after all. . .Walt Disney may have been the one who made it a popular saying, but it is true indeed," Williams-Martin explained.
"My family's uncanny connections to Michael Jackson prove it to be true. Here are a few facts that will make your head spin."
* My father, Dr. Edwin Daniel Williams (deceased), delivered Michael Jackson on Aug. 29, 1958. Although Dr. Alexander Williams was the Jackson family's physician, my dad, his partner, was on call the night Katherine Jackson delivered Michael.
* Ironically, my father died on Michael's 25th birthday, on Aug. 29, 1984.
* My mother, Gloriadean Williams (who is still alive and well) was Michael's gym teacher at Garnett Elementary School. She taught LaToya and Marlon also.
* Michael sat on the front row of Gary's Rail Cats Stadium in 2003 and heard my son, Gregory Martin Jr., sing "The Star Spangled Banner" as a part of the celebratory opening for Michael's hometown return.
Williams-Martin also wrote: "Sadly, although Jackson, who is noted by many as the most famous entertainer of all time, passed on June 25, 2009, this nested saga with my family still continues."
"My son, Gregory Martin, Jr., who sang for Michael six years ago, also performed at the Apollo Theater in New York City on July 29 last year and won, exactly 40 years from the premier of the Jackson Five on that same stage in 1969," she said.
"Gregory Jr., who was born and raised in Gary, and now lives in New York City, is being groomed daily by renowned vocal coach, Craig Derry. Derry acts as professional vocal coach and guru to the likes of Beyonce, Mariah Carey, John Legend, and Ne-Yo, to name a few."
Williams-Martin said her son is performing Wednesday on BET's popular "106 & Park."
She said, ironically, during Jackson's visit to Gary in 2003, according to former Gary Mayor Scott King, Jackson said that he "would like to have heard more of Gregory's voice."
"Nevertheless, although Michael never heard more of Gregory's voice, the King of Pop may have witnessed the beginning of another Gary, Indiana legacy," she said.
"And it's one that was indelibly influenced by the King of Pop himself and another legacy that the world will soon hear in time to come."
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327. - NWI Times
BY BOB KOSTANCZUK, (219) 648-3144
Hailing from Gary, Gregory Martin moved to New York City to chase his dream.
"I've been performing everywhere -- anywhere," said the 24-year-old singer.
A national television breakthrough is now on the horizon for the 2004 graduate of West Side High School in Gary.
Martin is scheduled to appear on "106 & Park" at 5 p.m. Wednesday on BET (Black Entertainment Television).
"I'll be performing my song 'Heartbreak,' " said Martin, noting he wrote the tune and sang it when he triumphed at an Amateur Night competition on July 29 at the historic Apollo Theater in the Harlem section of New York.
A rhythm and blues artist, Martin uses the name G Martin for his entertainment career.
He'll sing and play keyboard on "106 & Park," a BET music series.
"This is huge for me," Martin, a Brooklyn resident, said.
The booking on "106 & Park" occurred after a representative of the show noticed something TV-worthy when Martin was at the Times Square Arts Center in New York.
"I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time," he said.
The Gary native said he didn't bring along much when he moved to the imposing metropolis on the East Coast two years ago.
"I'm ecstatic about his entire journey," said his mother, Donna Martin of Crown Point.
She points to the "tenacity" that helped snare a spot on the live, two-hour BET show: "I couldn't be more proud."
Martin hopes his success can be the type of thing that inspires Gary youths: "I want to show the kids that dreams come true -- all you have to do is just go get it." - Post-Tribune
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No fancy cars in my garage/no limousines/just you and me.
Im working hard to play my part/ and live my dreams with this ol' music thing.
"No Recession for Love"
-G Martin
Singer, songwriter G Martin – inspires...
While born and raised in Gary “Steel City” Indiana, G Martin honed in on his innate talent at an early age. Learning three instruments (keyboard, saxophone and drums), discovering a powerful voice and realizing extraordinary songsmith capabilities all before the age of 13 - G Martin is poised to change the voice of mainstream R&B.
At 22 years of age, G’s depth of songwriting is boundless as proven with melodic love songs like “It’s Gotta Be Love” to a more thought-provoking and socially conscious “Beautiful Avenue”. With his soulful voice, stunning looks and Beethovian mastery of the keys, G Martin must be considered nothing less than a musical triple threat.
One of the most inspiring moments of G Martin's early career, took place when G performed for Michael Jackson during a return trip to Michael’s hometown, of Gary, Indiana in 2003. Only later to find that Michael wrote a letter to the mayor of Gary requesting to hear more of G's music. Afterwards, G was often requested by the mayor to perform at formal city events.
After winning over 25 talent shows and competitions in Terra Haute, Indiana, G Martin began coordinating his own live performances featuring local artists from 2005-2007. In 2007, G Martin entered the largest talent competition of his experience. He won the Indiana Star Quest, defeating over 500 contestants. Determined to advance his career, he then relocated to New York City in 2008.
Since 2008, G has performed and headlined at numerous venues including such notables as The Knitting Factory, Ashford and Simpson's Sugar Bar, Club Groove, Water Street Lounge and Southpaw. Most recently, G Martin won first place in the Apollo Theatre Amateur Night competition.
While G Martin is completing his own debut album, he was featured in three songs on Saigon's album "Warning Shots 2" - released October 2009. GMartin was also featured on Black Entertainment Television (B.E.T.) 106 & Park on February 24, 2010.
Read articles about GMartin
http://tinyurl.com/GMartin-NWITimes
http://tinyurl.com/GMartin-PostTribune
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