With a blue-collar, everyday working-class background, Bryan Martin lives the stories he writes. Those real-life emotions and experiences expressed in song resonate with audiences because the two are one and the same.
From the oil fields in Louisiana where he was a “roughneck” on the rigs, to pursuing his hobby of writing songs and learning to play guitar, this self-taught musician/songwriter is quickly becoming recognized as one of country music’s emerging new talents.
Music was part of Bryan’s upbringing from an early age. His mother, who sang with such traditional country artists as Faron Young, Allison Krauss, and David Houston, recognized his talent at age six. By the time he was eight, Bryan started singing at local festivals and fairs. As a teenager in high school, he stepped away from music to focus on working after school and summer jobs. He’d write songs on the side “for fun.”
“Songwriting has always just been a hobby – a passion,” said Bryan who is celebrating the success of one of his songs, “Beauty In The Struggle,” which went viral on TikTok and hit the radar of music industry executives. “I started this for fun, but now I’m doing what I love for a living,” Bryan remarked.
Influenced by those traditional country music artists that he grew up listening to, Martin honed his songwriting and performance skills through the years. As a songwriter, his diverse catalog of songs numbers over 3,000 ranging from traditional country and southern rock to outlaw country and country gospel.
Martin hopes to be the greatest that he can be with the talent that he’s been given and strives to work harder than the next guy. He lives by the best advice he ever received – “Don’t let your head outrun your feet… follow your heart and stay true to your roots.”
The buzz around Warner Music Nashville country artist Redferrin is impossible to ignore as one of Nashville’s most unorthodox and innovative new singer/songwriters. His recent releases are full of adrenaline-pumping energy and rebellious swagger, providing just a sample of the kaleidoscopic musical textures he can create. With lyrics that serve as a manifesto for his take-it-or-leave-it style, Redferrin wants the new music to become a sonic mirror held up to today’s rural culture.
Born Blake Redferrin, the White House, Tennessee native spent his first 24 years on the pegs of a dirt bike, now harnessing that thrill-seeking spirit and relentless drive for a new kind of sound. He already boasts several successful cuts, including Florida Georgia Line’s hip-hop inspired “Countryside,” Nelly’s recent smash “Lil Bit,” and Dean Brody and The Reklaws’ “I Can’t Help Myself,” which showcased a knack for party starting, hitting No. 1 in Canada and setting a record for the most one-week radio spins in the nation’s history. Redferrin is set to release more new music this year as he continues chasing high-speed dreams with the throttle pinned and no kill switch.
The state of Maine is known for it’s cold winters, and picture perfect summers. It’s hard not to be inspired by the beauty of the changing seasons, and that’s what you’ll find in Toby’s music. Known primarily as the founding member of Sparks The Rescue, Toby has been playing music since he was old enough hold a guitar. He spent his 20’s touring the world in a 15 passenger van with his best friends. When Sparks started to slow down, he settled back in Maine with his family. In 2020, the pandemic brought on an unexpected source of inspiration, which led to the first solo EP for McAllister titled, Daydreamin. A few short months after it’s release, he was sharing the stage with big names and some of his idols.
In March of ’23, Toby released the follow up to Daydreamin with a CD titled Autumn Skies. While Daydreamin is a fun CD written during the pandemic, Autumn Skies is a more serious combination of life, love, and rock & roll. Backing him up on this recording is the rhythm section of Sparks which includes drummer Nathan Spencer and Ben Briggs on bass. This trio has been playing together for over 20 years, and have never stopped sharing their love for music, and a good song. Other talent on the CD includes Andrew Martelle from The Mallett Brothers Band, Hamilton Belk, a talented local steel guitarist and a featured guitar solo from Ken Bethea of Old 97’s. Autumn Skies was nominated for Album Of The Year by The New England Music Awards.
2024 brought on new inspiration from multiple life changing events including the death of Toby’s father, and the birth of his second child. The Outsider EP was recorded on a scorching August week in the woods of Maine with producer, Jonathan Wyman. Officially released on October 30, it’s the perfect batch of songs to be enjoyed on a cool Autumn day while the leaves fall. Notably, the opening track titled Millinocket Stars has been added into full radio rotation at Portland, Maine’s rock station 98.9 WCLZ.
Outside of original music, Toby is a full time performing musician. His wedding band, The Jameson Four does upwards of 15 weddings per year. If you’re looking to rock out your reception, please get in touch.
Toby McAllister & The Sierra Sounds have shared the stage with: Carly Pearce, Eli Young Band, Rhett Miller, Old 97’s, Drake White, Kasey Tyndall, Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, Eddie Montgomery, Dalton & The Sheriffs, The Mallett Brothers Band, 12/OC.
