Martin Sexton to Play Prescott Park

Prescott Park Arts Festival brings the critically acclaimed soulful singer, Martin Sexton to the FairPoint Communications MainStage as part of the River House Restaurant Concert Series on Wednesday, August 22, at 7 p.m.

Billboard calls Martin Sexton, "The real thing, people, a star with potential to permanently affect the musical landscape and keep us entertained for years to come."

"I know I keep talking about how excited I am about the artists here this summer," said Executive Director, Ben Anderson. "But Martin is the real deal. This is going to be one of the best shows you'll find this summer."

The concert is open to the public and no tickets are required for the performance. All of the Prescott Park Arts Festival events are offered free of charge with a suggested donation of $5 - $10. Audience members are welcome to bring their own chairs or blankets, or rent those offered by the festival, including a VIP table seating area.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Martin Sexton grew up in the 80's, uninterested in the sounds of the day, and fueled his dreams on the timeless sounds of classic rock and roll. Sexton eventually migrated to Boston, where he began to build his following singing on the streets of Harvard Square and gradually working his way through the scene. His 1992 collection of self-produced demo recordings, In The Journey, was recorded on an old 8-track in a friend's attic. He managed to sell 20,000 copies out of his guitar case busking.

In 1991 he released his own record, In the Journey, in cassette format and astonishingly Sexton sold 15,000 copies of his cassette-only album through the strength of his live shows and rigorous tours throughout the U.S.

From 1996-2002 Sexton released Black Sheep, The American, Wonder Bar and Live Wide Open (mixed by Jon Alagia - Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer). The activity and worldwide touring behind these records laid the foundation for the career he enjoys today with an uncommonly loyal fan base, selling out venues from Nokia Theatre (NY) to LA's House of Blues.

Happily and fiercely independent, Martin Sexton launched his own label KTR (2002). Since then, his continual success through his diversity infiltrates many musical worlds - ranging everywhere from Jam Cruise to Denver's Mile High Fest to Mayercraft Carrier to Carnegie Hall. His songs are featured in film and television including recent placements on NBC's Scrubs and Showtime's hit series Brotherhood.

Trying to categorize Sexton's sound into one genre of music is difficult: his songs are intricate and spirited, inspired by the American musical landscape of soul, gospel, R&B, country and blues. Regardless of the category, Sexton's music tells his life stories and experiences. "What I'm singing about is very personal to me. I think people identify with that. I'm not afraid to sing about very personal issues," Sexton says. Sexton's show is unlike most concert experiences. His performances are dynamic and bursting with depth earning him a devoted following among fans, peers and critics alike.

His latest studio release, Sugarcoating, finds this one-of-a-kind-troubadour doing what he does best: locating larger truths within the specific details of the life he's living.

Martin Sexton comes to Portsmouth as part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival's 38th season that also features the musical, Willy Wonka, running every Thursday through Sunday until August 26, 2012. The season also includes more dates of the River House Restaurant Concert Series, which features music legends such as the Duhks, Iris Dement, and the Krueger Brothers each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. through August 29.

All events offered at the Prescott Park Arts Festival are presented free of charge with a suggested donation of $5 - $10. Audience members are permitted to bring chairs, or rent those offered by the festival.
 
Since 1996, the Arts Festival has consistently been named by Yankee magazine a "must see" tourist attraction. Prescott Park Arts Festival is an independent non-profit organization with a mission of serving the community with a diverse array of quality arts events accessible to all.
 
For more information on the festival, or to see a full schedule of events, visit www.prescottpark.org or call 603-436-2848.

Submitted by Ben Anderson, executive director, Prescott Park Arts Festival