Tom Martel began writing and performing in southern California in the late 60’s, playing coffee houses, bars, television specials and concert venues. Most of his songs in the early years were co-written with his life-long friend, Bob Phelps. Known as “Phelps and Martel,” they won the national award for original composition at the 1970 Mississippi River Music Festival, and they opened for entertainers such as Grand Funk Railroad, Bill Cosby and Jose Feliciano. The first song published was “It’...
Tom Martel began writing and performing in southern California in the late 60’s, playing coffee houses, bars, television specials and concert venues. Most of his songs in the early years were co-written with his life-long friend, Bob Phelps. Known as “Phelps and Martel,” they won the national award for original composition at the 1970 Mississippi River Music Festival, and they opened for entertainers such as Grand Funk Railroad, Bill Cosby and Jose Feliciano. The first song published was “It’s All Been Said” with MCA MUSIC in 1969.
In 1971, Tom became Musical Director for Bob Yde Associates, launching the initial touring concert production of “Jesus Christ, Superstar.” In 1972, the Broadway musical “Hard Job Being God” opened at the Edison Theatre in New York. Tom authored both the music and lyrics for this rock opera.
Tom has concentrated most of his musical and theatrical talents in the contemporary Christian world for the last several years. Recently, he has been writing again for the secular market. Tom is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
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