Doors are opening for 20-year-old Joe Martinez’ burgeoning singing career. 

The blues and country singer and songwriter from Woods Bay is the first winner of the inaugural Montana’s Got Talent competition held in October, performing an original song, “Lead the Way,” a piece he wrote in the weeks leading up to the show.  

“That one’s very fresh,” Martinez said. “I’m always writing new stuff, trying it out and such.” 

Prior to competing in Montana’s Got Talent, Martinez sang in front of music icons Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé and Gwen Stefani during auditions for “The Voice,” a reality TV competition, appearing in an episode of season 26. Martinez gained valuable feedback from the star coaches and said he was able to talk to them longer than what aired. 

“I didn’t make it through because I was one of the last like four people to audition so teams were full — exactly what I was hoping wouldn’t happen happened. But that being said, I did get to go; I got to be on TV and I got to do the whole thing. That alone was just an amazing experience,” he said. 

Although he didn’t make it, he spent a month surrounded by other contestants learning from their experiences and advice. Initially, he said being surrounded by talented musicians was a bit discouraging, but he ended up learning a lot. 

“I became good friends with a lot of people there. And it’s funny that the guy I learned the most from was the guy that won this year’s season. I took the time to try and learn as much as I could and practice,” he said. 

Raised in Polson, Martinez started singing when he joined choir during his sophomore year in high school.  

“Something about singing when I enjoyed choir kind of changed my outlook on it all and I started thinking about how that would be,” Martinez said. 

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Martinez picked up the guitar, teaching himself to play.  

“I was pretty much figuring out certain chords ... I came up with some weird stuff without knowing at all what I’ve been doing, and I’ve learned a lot more about playing of course. But I think starting out, I definitely was exploring ideas and such that I had no idea what was going on, but I was just doing it because it was fun,” Martinez said 

Before finding a passion for singing, Martinez was a band kid —  a trumpet player with aspirations to perform professionally after high school graduation. 

“I always knew I wanted to do music. So that was no question,” he said.  

Martinez began realizing his talent for singing when he auditioned for and was selected to the NAfME All-Northwest jazz choir where he was ecstatic to find he was given a lengthy solo that solidified his intention to change course.  

“When I got to experience that, I knew I really love being on stage singing. That’s all I want, you know, all I wanted to do,” Martinez said. 

He also gave credit to school talent shows, one of which sparked an interest in playing in a smaller arrangement live on stage. At the time, Martinez played drums while his friend played piano and sang “Hey Jude,” by the Beatles. 

“When you’re playing in a band, you know, you’re playing with 50-60 people on stage, so it’s a different feeling,” he said. 

Martinez is drawn to blues, country and soul music from his jazz background. 

“I grew up listening to a lot of jazz, you know growing up as a band kid too it made sense,” he said. “When I wasn’t listening to jazz, it was all classic rock like the Beatles and Chuck Berry and stuff like that — pretty much blues and rock and such. That’s just always what I’ve been drawn to.” 

Blues allow the guitar to shine and for improvisation. 

“I just like the raw energy that’s put into it. It’s a very kind of raw genre of music, a lot of emotion and such,” Martinez said. 

Martinez said he tries to bring a few guitars to shows for their different qualities and as a backup. 

“I never leave with just one because something can always happen too,” he said. 

His debut EP, “Montana,” released in April and features five songs and released two additional singles that are available on most streaming platforms. Martinez said he recorded the title track in two takes. 

“It was definitely the most raw out of anything on the EP,” he said. 

As he continues to hone his style through practice, performance and recording, he anticipates his sound will evolve. 

“I mean, it’s always changing. I almost want to re-record my EP now because I don’t feel like I’m necessarily the same singer. I’ve learned a lot. Going on ‘The Voice’ taught me a lot about singing this last summer. I definitely have a lot more soul in my tone. I just sounded a lot younger before, even last year,” Martinez said. “I've definitely grown to have a lot of power in my voice and a different range and control that I didn’t even have until last summer.” 

For winning Montana’s Got Talent, Martinez received $5,000 and an opportunity to open for a national touring act at Abayance Bay Marina in Rexford. He also received a complimentary recorded song at Beargrass Studios in Columbia Falls and worked alongside producer Ross Bridgeman. 

“He’s just a very great producer and you know having and working with great producers is always just awesome. He’s a phenomenal keyboard player and piano player and that’s something I wanted in my song,” Martinez said. 

Martinez has made singing and performing live a full-time career, aiming to schedule gigs three or four times a week, and is currently working on booking shows into the summer. His upcoming shows include Jan. 31 at the Silver Bullet in Columbia Falls and Feb. 14 at Andy’s Crafthouse in Bigfork. 

As to what’s next: “Oh gosh. You know, I’m just going after it now,” Martinez said. “I’m grateful to do it as much as I do now.”  

Check out Martinez’ music online at joemartinezmusic.com.  

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com. 

    Growing up in Polson, blues and country singer Joe Martinez, 20, discovered a passion for singing and songwriting in high school. (Photo provided by Joe Martinez)