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Former FOZZY/STUCK MOJO Guitarist MIKE MARTIN Releases Christmas Single

December 18, 2012

Guitar virtuoso Mike Martin (ex-FOZZY, STUCK MOJO) has released his new Christmas single, "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel", digitally on iTunes and CDbaby.

Commented Martin: "Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.

"As a child, growing up in New England, I was always singing in the church choir, concert choir at school, caroling, performing in Christmas pageants and plays. So many wonderful memories and experiences with my family and friends and just doing my active part in my hometown.

"I have often been asked about recording some Christmas music, and this year (2012) the time was finally right for me to make an offering to the Christmas catalogue!

"I chose to pull together this arrangement from some of my favorite spiritual Christmas carols. As much as I enjoy the fun of all of the secular traditions, imagery, shopping and gift giving, it felt right to make this first one reflect a bit more of my own humble and personal sentiments for 'The Reason for The Season.' (I was raised Catholic. What can I say?)

"My arrangement begins with the traditional 15th-century melody 'Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel' and the 19th century choral harmonization by Thomas Helmore straight out of the hymnal all played by a choir of guitars. From there the song develops like a guided dream through my own Christmas meditation. I imagine a gothic cathedral, candle light vigil, midnight mass… But more, I imagine what it must have been like at the First Christmas: humble, meager, difficult, dangerous, hopeful.

"I sincerely hope that my emotional intention comes across through this, my reinterpretation of one of my favorite Christmas melodies (one that is so widely beloved!) and humbly represents what this holiday means for me, as it means so much to so many."

Martin's solo instrumental album, "2 Of 5", was originally released in the summer of 2006 independently on Serpa Records, and is now available worldwide through Steve Vai's Digital Nations division of the Favored Nations record label.

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