California veteran musician Buzzy Martin is unlike almost any musician you’ve ever met. He’s a multi-talented and multifaceted individual with a goal to inspire, and be inspired. A gifted artist that has been honing his craft since his childhood years in the 70s, Buzzy is living proof that following those childhood dreams can manifest into garnering rewards by applying yourself in the right direction, to pursue a music career where you can hit the ground running and still find ways to help others do the same.
Buzzy is also an advocate that helps youthful and at-risk offenders as well as adult prison inmates throughout California state regions – by bringing them positive prospects of hope, inspiration and the power of music into their lives in hopes of having them recognize their value as human beings. Buzzy is that guy that truly demonstrates how music can bring just about anyone together – no matter the circumstances. And that the power of music can help heal and bring direction into someone’s life. His book “Don’t Shoot! I’m The Guitar Man” really shines a light on this aspect and truly explores the many facets of how Buzzy implements his career and music into the lives of those who may be incarcerated or even simply just going through tough trials and tribulations in life and being in need of that window of hope and inspiration. Sometimes all it takes is just that one person to help guide you out of that abyss of darkness, and Buzzy is that guy and has had a profound impact on endless amounts of people in this way. A film about this concept and his career is also in the works currently and is also a direct reflection of the life and career surrounding Buzzy Martin and this distinctive as well as impactful concept.
With so much on the horizon as 2021 continues to manifest, we got the chance to ask Buzzy Martin some comprehensive interview questions regarding the near future for his career, as well as a glimpse into his past and how he has evolved into the musician and person he is today.
•How long have you been active under your current artist name?
My stage/artist name Buzzy Martin is what I have been using for 45 years.
•What music scene/city do you currently represent?
I perform Americana music from the Bay Area.
•The pandemic has really thrown a wrench into the live music experience and for artists altogether. How has it affected you and your career?
It has given me the time off to write a lot of new songs/music that I’m hoping to perform live soon.
•What are some of your music influences?
Some of my musical influences growing up were from artists like Elvis, Bob Seger, The Beatles, Alice Cooper & Johnny Cash.
•What kind of concepts do you tend to write about as an artist? Shine some light on that.
I write songs about real events that are happening at this time, such as social justice like inmates who are incarcerated, abused, homeless & in poverty.
•When is your next release coming out?
I have another book that I’m writing as a follow up to DON’T SHOOT I’M THE GUITAR MAN & I have a number of new songs ready to record.
•What’s in store for you in 2021? Give us the goods.
2021 & 2022 are looking up to be a great couple of years with the release of GUITAR MAN: The Movie coming out later this year in 2021 and if all goes well, 2022 with be bringing a Buzzy Martin world music tour.
•I see you have a book released that has garnered quite the impact on the musical realm of literature. Tell us a little about that.
My Penguin book, “DON’T SHOOT! I’M THE GUITAR MAN” is being read around the world and is in a number of JR colleges & high schools as required text book reading for students. I’m humbled that my message of EDUCATE-NOT-INCARCERATE is helping others understand how bad Prison incarceration in this country is out of control and a BIG money maker. My hope is to have it in ALL JR & high schools around the country.
•I also see you have an upcoming film about your story in the music world, tell us about that too, as well as when we can expect a release date.
The upcoming Prodigy movie, GUITAR MAN, is based on my book and life teaching the gift of music to the incarcerated at-risk kids inside Juvenile Hall and the inmates behind the walls of San Quentin State Prison for over 3 1/2 years. It has won over 17 awards for Indie film fests. I’m humbled and honored how it turned out, plus I have 3 of my prison-based songs in the soundtrack. All of the actors brought their acting game, as did the crew. It’s R-rated and will be coming out later this year.
Connect with Buzzy Martin:
•Official Website: https://www.buzzymartin.com
Artist Reach Official Website 