David Martin, Writer

Amarillo Boy

Photo © by Wyatt McSpadden, another Amarillo boy

If you grew up here, you might be like this too.

I am the writer David Martin.

There are other writers with this common name, so let’s be sure you came to the right place.

I am not the author David Martin who writes profane thrillers. I am not the David Martin who writes about right-wing conspiracies. I am not the author of children’s books. I am not the singer/songwriter. I am also not the renowned cosmetic surgeon or the network newsman or the guy that the Attorney General of Texas named the most deadbeat dad in the state for unpaid child support—all of them named David Martin.

I am the writer who was born and raised in Amarillo. I received my education—both book learnin’ and street smarts (what little I have)—in Amarillo. I met Jesus in Amarillo. I got married to an Amarillo girl in Amarillo. My first real job was in Amarillo.

I did a lot of the things you’re supposed to do in Amarillo and a few of the things you’re not.

I got into a few fistfights growing up (boys did that back then), and I won some of them.

I raced motocross in my teens. I seriously considered turning pro. The only thing that held me back was an unfortunate lack of talent.

I don’t have a horse, but I’ve ridden some. On a dare, I rode a steer. Once was enough.

I wore cowboy boots, western shirts, and shoulder-length hair—all at the same time.

I got into music and played in a country band. And a power rock trio. And a jazz group. And an acoustic rock band performing original music with a minor record deal. I became an audio engineer and worked in recording studios and concert tours with some big-name acts.

I got engaged to the lovely Holly, and I decided the music business was not ideal for a married man, so I finished up school at Texas Tech and got a respectable job. Well, I wish I could say that, but I went into advertising. In a way, it’s kinda like telling stories for a living. Not stories as in “lies,” but really short stories with characters and dialog and such.

I also write stuff that’s not for clients. That’s what this site is about.

Along the way, life took me out of Amarillo. But to paraphrase the old saying, you can take the boy out of Amarillo, but you can’t take Amarillo out of the boy.

This David Martin, not the other ones.

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