Country musician rocks out at Cain's
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| Thomas Martinez (right) performs with his band at the Cain’s Ballroom on Saturday. |
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By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
3/27/2007 3:55 PM
Country singer Thomas Martinez and his Wild Frontier Band played Cain's Ballroom on Saturday like it was a 10,000 seat arena, like he was a superstar.
"If it sounds craaaaaazayy, that's 'cause it is . . .," Martinez sang, part of the chorus to "Crazy's All They've Got," a song about a bride who leaves her groom at the altar for another man.
It was Martinez's first show headlining the Cain's Ballroom and he didn't let the opportunity pass. He showed himself an energetic and aw-shucks entertainer, bounding from corner to corner of the stage, white cowboy hat pulled low over his forehead, flame-top acoustic guitar over his shoulder and sweat pouring down the front of his white button-up shirt.
The audience danced, drank and sang along to the highlight of the night, the love ballad "Promises," the sparse "Scarecrow" about the farm dying away, and other material from the album "Promises."
Fresh off shows at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon, the Cleveland, Okla., native put on a rock show that at times resembled country. His lead guitarist, Ryan Mccullough, spent some of the night shredding like he was a cowboy Yngwie Malmsteen.
The band played several medleys of cover songs Saturday night,
The disorienting list included Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music," Metallica's "Enter Sandman," Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," AC/DC's "Back in Black," Queen's "We Will Rock You," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" and Chris Ledoux's "Hooked On an Eight Second Ride."
Whew! That's a lot of cover songs from a guy trying to make the big time. But Saturday seemed more like the band was just having fun, playing for family and friends.
Sadly, there's not much that's different between his music and the next big modern country band. It's been done before by everyone from Garth Brooks to Josh Gracin. But what Martinez does well is what the country establishment favors today, and he has the songs (soft guitar in the verses, big harmonized choruses, lyrics about beer, bosses, church, the farm, everyday guys and girls) that appeal to today's fans.
His background story (a lifelong Cleveland resident, 31-year-old rancher, rodeo man and father of two) is what makes it hard not to root for him. He loves his hometown, his fans, is married to his high school sweetheart and has paid his dues playing gigs. Why isn't this guy a millionaire?
Tulsa country/blues/rock act the Brandon Clark Band opened the night seeming like it was fresh from the bar circuit while playing material from its upcoming album still in recording.
Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com
By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
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