“His songs are just too beautiful, too fully realized to ignore.” – Austin Chronicle
If you ask singer-songwriter Martin Zellar what he’s most proud of over his long career, he answers, “I guess that I’ve managed to support my family by writing, recording, and performing music for over thirty-five years. It hasn’t always been easy or glamorous, but I’ve found a way. I still love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else. And honestly, the fact that I’m not qualified to do anything else has been a motivator”. The truth is, Martin has made his living because he has always reliably delivered what his fans expect. Here, Zellar consistently provides quality songwriting and heartfelt performances.
Immediately after graduating from high school Martin moved to Minneapolis and formed the country-rock band The Gear Daddies. There, the band comprised friends and fellow Austinites Nick Ciola, Billy Dankert and Randy Broughten. The Gear Daddies had some success, and a lot of fun. Moreover, they consider themselves lucky to have been part of the 1990’s Twin Cities music scene.
The Gear Daddies released three critically acclaimed albums and toured non-stop. Additionally, they performed on Late Night with David Letterman before amicably parting ways in 1992. Zellar then went on to record and perform as a solo artist, releasing seven more albums. His 1993 release, Born Under, and his 2012 release, Roosters Crow, were especially well-received by critics.
Martin continues to record and perform as a solo artist and with his band the Hardways. That’s what he continues to do, and he still has fun. In October 2023, Zellar released Head West, his first new offering in over a decade, to wide critical acclaim.
Recommended for fans of The Gear Daddies, The Jayhawks, Peter Himmelman and BoDeans.
