Renowned singer-songwriter Martin Sexton shared his new single "Calling On America." Arriving just ahead of Independence Day weekend, "Calling On America" follows in the grand tradition of tender R&B cultural commentary epitomized by soul poets like Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. Featuring a guest appearance from longtime friend and supporter John Mayer on guitar, it's a scene-setting song panning through visual vignettes of love and harmony while also contemplating division.
Listen to "Calling On America" Here
"'Calling On America' is a song of hope, unity, and redemption summonsing our better angels to help see the likeness and goodness in one another," Martin told Relix who featured the track. "I was so psyched to be working with Alagia again - he's an old friend and a brilliant producer. When we played the track for John Mayer, he really grabbed hold of it and knocked it out of the park with his sweet and soulful guitar mastery. It's such an honor."
"Calling On America" is the latest song to release from Martin's forthcoming EP 2020 Vision, out September 10th via Kitchen Table Records. It follows lead single "Hold On," a sun-shining-through-the-rain song brimming with soul guitar fixings, punchy horns, and a touching narrative about the simple pleasures of spending time with loved ones. American Songwriter featured the track and stated, "'Hold On' opens 2020 Vision with the soulful beauty of a moment in time."
Martin has nurtured a critically-acclaimed trademark aesthetic of soul, folk, blues, rock, pop, and sweet balladry for over three decades. A constant theme throughout his music has been the celebration of America. His 1996 album Black Sheep featured a rendition of "America The Beautiful," and his major-label debut was simply called The American. Martin getting his start in music through leaving his upstate New York hometown with seventy-five bucks and a Stratocaster to chase his aspirations also brims with anthemic American Dream overtones. 2020 Vision continues this American story, a 4-song collection that snapshots moments of clarity during the past year and beyond.
The ability to hone in on defining moments has long been evident in Martin's songwriting. Produced by three-time Grammy-nominee John Alagia (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Lukas Nelson), 2020 Vision is a poetically emotive and an elegantly evocative pandemic scrapbook. "In one song, I'm building a treehouse with my son. In another song, I'm crossing America and seeing the beauty in people rising through adversity and loving each other," detailed Martin.
Extensive touring in support of 2020 Vision will begin this summer throughout the US. Tickets are on sale now for select dates with more shows announcing soon. For more information, visit www.martinsexton.com/tour.
2020 Vision will always have its lessons and remain in Martin's sight, even as the miles out on the road put pandemic life in the rearview mirror. One of those lessons is the power of togetherness. "My mission statement for the past 15 years has been unity through music, and I am committed to sharing peace and harmony through my songs."
Track List:
01) Hold On
02) Calling On America
03) Riding Through The Rain
04) Penny from the Land of Plenty
Tour Dates:
07/16 - North Truro, MA @ Payomet Performing Arts Center
07/17 - Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn (5pm show)
07/17 - Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn (8pm show)
07/18 - Arundel, ME @ Vinegar Hill Music Theatre
08/14 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground at Backside 405
08/15 - Lake Placid, NY @ Lake Placid Horse Grounds
08/20 - Oak Bluffs, NY @ The Loft
08/21 - Amagansett, NY @ The Stephen Talkhouse
08/22 - Montgomery, NY @ City Winery Hudson Valley
10/16 - Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater
10/21 - Salisbury, MA @ Blue Ocean Music Hall
10/23 - Portland, ME @ Aura
11/10 - Charlotte, NC @ Visulite Theatre
11/11 - Rocky Mount, VA @ Harvester Performance Center
11/12 - Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
11/13 - Richmond, VA @ The Tin Pan
12/08 - Wilmington, DE @ The Queen
12/09 - South Orange, NJ @ SOPAC
12/10 - Old Saybrook, CT @ The Kate
12/11 - Tarrytown, NY @ Tarrytown Music Hall
12/17 - Northampton, MA @ Academy Of Music Theatre
