Martin performs at Rangers game

By Melinda L. Lucas

Local singer songwriter Jeff Martin marked another item off his to-do list when he performed the National Anthem on Labor Day, Sept. 4 prior to the Texas Rangers-Houston Astros game.

The Texas country music artist sang a cappella from the field, standing between the pitcher’s mound and home plate. There were 40,000 baseball fans in attendance at the sell-out, with many of Martin’s family and friends present.

“My phone has been blowing up,” Martin said. “I’m just a guy from a small town trying to do big things. And this is the biggest thing I’ve done. All in all I’m just blessed.”

Martin attended school both in Albany and Moran and graduated from Moran High School. He lives in Albany, but performs full-time all over the state.

After a friend sang the National Anthem at a Rangers game last year, Martin started asking questions.

“I reached out to him for information, because it’s something that I really wanted to do,” said Martin.

He sent a required email several times, then recorded his performance when he sang the Star-Spangled Banner at the PRCA rodeo in Mineral Wells.

“I sent it to them in the early part of August,” Martin said. “They emailed me a week later asking if I could condense it to a minute and a half, which I did, and then they invited me to sing on Labor Day.”

The country music artist said he has been overwhelmed with feedback since Monday.

“It was truly a privilege and an honor,” Martin said. “Thank you to the Texas Rangers for allowing me to do what I love in front of a sold-out 40,000. Check that off the bucket list!”