The Celtic Martins

The energy that the Martin Family Band is known for in concert is evident in their debut CD titled Emily's Dream. A collection of Celtic and American tunes, Emily's Dream gives its listeners a good sample of well known jigs, reels and other favorites such as Pachelbel's Canon. Many of the tracks feature arrangements of the traditional songs we know, and the youthful passion of the Martin Family players is evident and catchy throughout the disk. Keeping it mostly in the family, the CD features six members of the Martin family along with friends Steve Hartman on guitar and vocals, and Earl Pyles on drums. Emily is the eldest and credited with the vision of the family performing together, hence the title of the CD. Emily, with sister Melissa, drive the CD with fiddling throughout. This is one CD that you wish could also have an extra track providing visual to the music. As toes inavertently begin tapping to the CD, it is not hard to imagine the step-dancing that would accompany these songs in a live performance. However, one song that slowed things down that I particulary enjoyed was Hartman's rendition of 'Go Lassie Go'. His voice and the fiddle provide a nice duet that is one of the best performed tracks on the disk. Alternating between heartfelt melodies and youthful sounds, Emily's Dream is an endearing debut that points with hope to the future generation of traditional talent already unfolding.
-Lisa Rathje - SFMS Newsletter

The energy that the Martin Family Band is known for in concert is evident in their debut CD titled Emily's Dream. A collection of Celtic and American tunes, Emily's Dream gives its listeners a good sample of well known jigs, reels and other favorites such as Pachelbel's Canon. Many of the tracks feature arrangements of the traditional songs we know, and the youthful passion of the Martin Family players is evident and catchy throughout the disk. Keeping it mostly in the family, the CD features six members of the Martin family along with friends Steve Hartman on guitar and vocals, and Earl Pyles on drums. Emily is the eldest and credited with the vision of the family performing together, hence the title of the CD. Emily, with sister Melissa, drive the CD with fiddling throughout. This is one CD that you wish could also have an extra track providing visual to the music. As toes inavertently begin tapping to the CD, it is not hard to imagine the step-dancing that would accompany these songs in a live performance. However, one song that slowed things down that I particulary enjoyed was Hartman's rendition of 'Go Lassie Go'. His voice and the fiddle provide a nice duet that is one of the best performed tracks on the disk. Alternating between heartfelt melodies and youthful sounds, Emily's Dream is an endearing debut that points with hope to the future generation of traditional talent already unfolding.
-Lisa Rathje - SFMS Newsletter

Published: Oct 22, 2008

By Tom Slattery

On October 11, Bucks County Community College and CCC Celt presented their 16th annual concert. This year’s featured performers were the Martin Family Band, a family group that brought down the house.

From Berks County, the four-year old group featured the fiddling and Irish dance talents of the three Martin sisters, Emily (17), Melissa (15) and Christy (10), who were accompanied by brother Brian (12) on drums, as well as father Nelson on guitar and mother Elaine on bass. Every so often 7-year old Zach would add his fiddle to the mix.

One of their two CDs is entitled “Emily’s Dream.” Emily is the one who met Eileen Ivers several years ago and had the dream of having her family play the Irish fiddle. Their Web site is http://www.martinfamilyband.net/

Although the music was primarily Irish traditional, the talented group also added a little Appalachian bluegrass and a few French-Canadian reels. They had the enthusiastic audience clapping away on several numbers.

Having been the emcee and entertainment selector for this event over the past umpteen years, I was amazed at the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the group. What was amazing was the number of people who have attended several of these concerts, exclaiming, “the best act yet." In fact, the reaction was so positive that we signed them on the spot for nest year’s concert which will be on October 10, 2009.

In addition to the fiddles, guitar and drums, the group also played bagpipes, mandolin, concertina, whistles, and the bones.
The show was emceed by Tom Slattery, who also turned storyteller to open each half.

After the show, and included in the price, there was a reception which included Celtic baked goods, and coffee, tea and cider, as well as the opportunity to visit with the entertainers and to view parts of the Celtic Collection which were on display.

Luckily we have cornered the market on top shelf bakers with Grace and Ellen making Irish soda bread, Bill doing Welsh cookies, and Jinny baking Cornish cookies. We would like to get someone who bakes Scottish rock buns to fill out the Celtic theme. Any volunteers?
- Tom Slattery

Published: Oct 22, 2008

By Tom Slattery

On October 11, Bucks County Community College and CCC Celt presented their 16th annual concert. This year’s featured performers were the Martin Family Band, a family group that brought down the house.

From Berks County, the four-year old group featured the fiddling and Irish dance talents of the three Martin sisters, Emily (17), Melissa (15) and Christy (10), who were accompanied by brother Brian (12) on drums, as well as father Nelson on guitar and mother Elaine on bass. Every so often 7-year old Zach would add his fiddle to the mix.

One of their two CDs is entitled “Emily’s Dream.” Emily is the one who met Eileen Ivers several years ago and had the dream of having her family play the Irish fiddle. Their Web site is http://www.martinfamilyband.net/

Although the music was primarily Irish traditional, the talented group also added a little Appalachian bluegrass and a few French-Canadian reels. They had the enthusiastic audience clapping away on several numbers.

Having been the emcee and entertainment selector for this event over the past umpteen years, I was amazed at the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the group. What was amazing was the number of people who have attended several of these concerts, exclaiming, “the best act yet." In fact, the reaction was so positive that we signed them on the spot for nest year’s concert which will be on October 10, 2009.

In addition to the fiddles, guitar and drums, the group also played bagpipes, mandolin, concertina, whistles, and the bones.
The show was emceed by Tom Slattery, who also turned storyteller to open each half.

After the show, and included in the price, there was a reception which included Celtic baked goods, and coffee, tea and cider, as well as the opportunity to visit with the entertainers and to view parts of the Celtic Collection which were on display.

Luckily we have cornered the market on top shelf bakers with Grace and Ellen making Irish soda bread, Bill doing Welsh cookies, and Jinny baking Cornish cookies. We would like to get someone who bakes Scottish rock buns to fill out the Celtic theme. Any volunteers?
- Tom Slattery