Record producers will tell you that in order to make it in the music business you have to be equipped with; a good strong voice, loads of confidence and the ability to perform on the spot, and to have passion! The passion to give it all you’ve got and the drive not to stop until you get there!

Just ask Johnny Martin (aka John Marino) a singer whose drive and passion have propelled him to record his first CD, “Johnny Martin, I Will Always Love You.”

Growing up in Jersey City, N.J. Martin loved to sing; he was drawn to it and did it well. As a grammar school student at Holy Rosary in downtown Jersey City, Martin first realized that he had the ability to sing. Speaking to his parents he explained his desire to sing, soon after he began taking voice lessons to master his vocal technique, but after grammar school it soon came to a pause.

As a high school student at Ferris High School, he sung on street corners with small groups, always testing his vocals and enjoying his love for music, but never going beyond that.

In the year of 1974, Marino opened up his own business in hair restoration, and with true dedication to his business and raising his family, he took another pause from his music.

Although the passion to sing lived within him, he worked hard and dedicated all of his time into making his business a success.

The years would soon pass by, and Martin still continued to embrace his true feelings of singing deep within; so in the early 1990’s, he decided to finally take the next step into making his singing career a reality. With the support of his wife and family he picked up where he left off and committed himself to taking voice lessons. He worked hard at it for several years and perfected his voice, he refined his styled and decided that it was time to get serious.

Martin explains, “I started recording myself at home and playing it back and listening to myself. I started thinking if I want to get serious again, I better go back and take some lessons and that’s what I did.” As he continued with his lessons, Martin began to focus on his goal to make an album of songs that he loved.

In 2008, through friends of Martin’s he met a couple from N.J who had a studio, their names Sharman and Alfred Nittoli (the Nittoli’s are well-known for writing the song “Here’s to the Band” for Frank Sinatra.) Upon meeting the Nittoli’s, Martin realized that this was the direction he wanted to take in order to bring his album to fruition. Soon after their meeting Martin concentrated on his goal, he gathered together a talented ensemble of musicians, which consisted of Tommy Cavalucci (Drums), Frankie Cupo (Bass, Keyboards), Gill Chimes (Vibes, Harmonica) Sharman Nittoli (Piano, Keyboards, Background Vocals, Musical Director and Arranger) and Alfred Nittoli (Saxophone, Violin, Musical Director and Arranger). Together the entire team began recording and what transpired was not only Johnny Martin’s album, but a life-long dream of Martin’s that had finally become a reality. 

 His new CD is made up with a compilation of songs from the “great American songbook.” He explains, “I’ve always been a lover of the American songbook. As a matter of fact if you look at my high school yearbook, you’ll see that I was a big Sinatra fan.” Although at the time it was all about rock, I was always quoted as being a fan of his”.

The title of Martin’s new CD, “I Will Always Love You,” which is also the first cut on the CD and a wonderful song made famous by another crooner Dean Martin, is the perfect title and song to begin Johnny Martin’s tribute to the “great American song book”.

Johnny Martin shows real vocal mastery on each track of his CD, he demonstrates impeccable phrasing in each song and his love of this genre of music can be felt on each track. I especially loved “My Baby Just Cares for Me, “an up-tempo number with female background vocals that will have your foot tapping throughout the song.

Based on his first CD I believe Martin has a long singing career ahead of him. He does a wonderful rendition of “More”, and the “Way You Look Tonight.” Martin’s CD will always have a place as part of my own permanent record collection. I enjoyed the CD that much and you will  too!

Martin credits Sharman and Alfred Nittoli and his wonderful and talented musicians for their help and dedication to making this album. He also expresses heartfelt thanks and dedicates his CD to his wife Pat and his family, which he expresses, “Without their love and support, it wouldn’t have been possible.” His advice for up and coming singers is this, ” If you feel that you have a talent, pursue your talent and get professional help; pursue your dream and never give up. Never stop meeting people; by meeting people  that’s how you’ll network yourself and make connections. No one is ever going to promote you, you have to promote yourself.” Pursuing your dreams and never giving up is something this talented singer has truly accomplished; with a successful business, a completed CD and the realization of a dream, Martin is a true inspiration to us all.

If you’re interested in learning more about Johnny Martin or if you would like to listen to some of his songs, sign on to www.johnnymartinsings.com 

Also, if you’re interested in booking Martin for your next event you can email him at johnmartinsings@aol.com

Read more music stories @www.riverviewobserver.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Introducing the One and Only “Johnny Martin” first appeared on River View Observer.

 the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

 Clifton based rock band Blisserine will host a benefit concert on March 25^th  at 8 p.m.   at LUA Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.

Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the concert will allow Blisserine to bring a greater awareness to the fight against cancer with the performance their hit song Spirit of the Fight, their first single and original recording. 

 “We’re honored to be able to participate in the fight against cancer,” says Blisserine lead singer Sebastian Barbagallo.  “We wrote the song for our fan who was going through cancer treatment, but now it’s really become an anthem for everyone fighting the battle.  We hope the song makes a difference in people’s lives and shows them that they aren’t alone.”

 As an exclusive for guests, the band will also debut the music video for Spirit of the Fight, which was written for fan and surviving cancer patient Michelle Dolcemascolo of Toms River, NJ.  The video, shot by Victoria Korty, an aspiring filmmaker from Clifton High School, documents Dolcemascolo’s experiences, through real footage and reenactments, of receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Creating the video was emotional and a little scary but it’s something that I wanted to do, not only for myself, but for other people that are battling the disease as well,” says Dolcemascolo.  “It shows my strengths and my weaknesses and documents how the experience changes your life and the life of your loved ones.  Needless to say, I’m excited to be able to see the finished product.”

Fifty percent of the $10 cover charge for the concert will directly benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The inspirational song Spirit of the Fight is now available on iTunes and 30 % of proceeds of the songs downloads will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New Jersey Chapter.

 LUA Restaurant is located at 1300 Sinatra Dr. North, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

 About Blisserine

Based in Clifton, NJ, Blisserine is a champion mix of hard rock and alt-pop melodies. The New Jersey based quartet originally formed in 2006 with an aggressive, heavy sound, playing shows up and down the Jersey shore. Fronted by Sebastian Barbagallo, the group established a reputation as a hard working band.  In 2008 the band started a new page in its history. Barbagallo, the lead singer/songwriter recruited his cousin Salvatore Rametta and the modern day Blisserine was back in fighting form. Adding drummer Sean Scillieri, childhood friend of Rametta, along with original bassist Nutile to the roster, Blisserine is fresh and ready to take the industry by storm.  Blisserine’s first single, Spirit of the Fight, has been a huge seller on iTunes and prompted a collaboration with DMC from legendary band Run DMC on their follow up single, Stone Crazy.

About the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Home Office is based in White Plains, NY.

The post Local NJ Band Rocks to Fight Cancer first appeared on River View Observer.