From the iconic Sixth Street of his birthplace of Austin to the Alpine festivals in Switzerland, from theaters in Paris to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, john Arthur martinez has proven his music grades on stages all over. His duo, trio and band performances in international venues, public schools and music festivals, never fail to share his passion for music and the State of Texas. He acknowledges that he’s among the fortunate few that can make a living doing what he loves, “I write, record, and perform songs. And, in doing so, I bare my soul, meet new souls, and see the world.” His music has been recorded by regional and national artists including Flaco Jimenez and Alan Jackson. He surrounds himself with some of the best Texas has to offer, Chris Hurtado Reeves, (Telecaster, Spanish guitar), Mark Epstein, (upright, ukulele bass), Kurt Baumer (fiddle, formerly of hit machine Lonestar), Luiz Coutinho de Souza, (Latin percussion, originally from Rio de Janeiro, now of Austin), His current release of For the Love of Western Swing (& Other Love Songs), his 14th album of original music, celebrates the diversity of Texas with bilingual swing, country, Tex-Mex, and folk compositions–including one targeting prejudice.