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your homegrown newspaper April 10, 2024
Vol. 20, No. 30
Polson musician releases first EP album By Shanoah McCool for the Valley Journal
“T
Lake level pg. 5
Snowpack pg. 6
Be bear aware pg. 14
he mountains to the east have got a hold on my soul,” and “I will never leave Montana” are the lyrics to a song by Polson musician Joe Martinez. Martinez, a 2022 Polson High School alum, recently released his first extended play album on Spotify. His debut album, titled “Montana,” includes some of the very first songs Martinez wrote. Martinez’ love of Montana and the Mission Valley where he grew up are evidenced in the EP’s five songs: “One of These Days,” “Let’s Get to Lovin’,” “Montana,” “Highway 93,” and “Movin’.” Martinez says his musical inspiration comes from artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Marcus King, and Chris Stapleton. Those influences can be heard in his music. His Spotify artist bio describes Martinez as musician “with a soulful voice, dynamic style, heartfelt lyrics and skillful guitar playing.” Having grown up in a very musical family, Martinez took an interest in music at a very young age. He credits his brother as the person who got him to started on his musical journey see page 2
COURTESY PHOTO
Polson resident Joe Martinez, above, has released his debut album, “Montana” via the digital music service Spotify.
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