Tony Martin (songwriter)
Tony Martin is a country music songwriter who has had twelve Number One hits as a songwriter. Among his compositions are "Third Rock from the Sun" by Joe Diffie and "Just to See You Smile" by Tim McGraw.
Martin received a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1986. His degree emphasized journalism and he was a reporter for Time Magazine after he graduated from BYU. His song "Baby's Gotten Good at Goodbye" was recorded by George Strait in 1988. Its success made Martin decide to go to Nashville. When he first moved there he worked as a correspondent for The Tennessean to help support himself and his wife Amethea.
In 2001 Martin signed an exclusive contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
He is the son of another Nashville-connected song writer Glenn Martin.
Martin is a Latter-day Saint. Among other callings in the LDS Church he has served as a bishop.
Sources
- "Encyclopedia of Musical Alumni" in BYU Magazine, Fall 2007
- Meridian Magazine article on Mormons in the Nashville Music scene
- Article on Martin's deal with Sony/ATV
- "Music City: LDS top charts in Nashville", Church News, June 10, 2000