The man, the myth, the legend, got his start many years ago performing in the Detroit area in a number of bands as a keyboardist, guitar player and one hell of a singer! He began to establish himself thereafter as a "Willie Nelson" impersonator due to his dashing good looks and an uncanny ability to sound much like the famous country singer.  He has five children and enjoys spending as much time with them as he can. After a successful career in music in that area, he settled down to the small Northern Michigan city, East Jordan where he opened a restaurant called "Willie's Up North". Famous for it's great tasting, award-winning barbecue ribs and having a wonderful 'back country' atmosphere, the restaurant was quite successful until the cops started making more money than he was. (see 'Chris Speaks')
    This writer met Chris Martin (a.k.a. "Willie") at a piano recital where the lesson instructor had someone different from the community come in and demonstrate their talent.  Chris' talent, a solo one-man-band act.  As if rubbing your tummy and patting your head wasn't hard enough, he played the piano, bass, drums, and harmonica all at the same time! Now I know what you're thinking... Dick Van Dyke all strapped up in that ridiculous one-man-band outfit from the movie Mary Poppins.  No, not at all. Technology allows him to do this without very much difficulty at all. That is of course if you ask him!
    Chris was not only the main chef at his own restaurant he also took to the stage at the end of the weekend nights to entertain his own customers and guests.  You can bet you'd hear a little Willie Nelson right along with all the great songs of our time. Country, rock, and oldies fans could get an earful, and the joint was popular among line dancers as well.
    Chris sold the restaurant to pursue other interests, particularly in the technological fields.  He now plays in local bars and restaurants at night, fixes computers during the day and still finds time to cook his delicious ribs to sell to anyone looking for a taste of heaven. 
    If you haven't visited anywhere else on this site you will find information not limited to: where Chris can be seen performing, how to order his ribs, and how to get a hold of him to fix your computer or set up a network.

Written by Michael McCaslin