Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry And Tabitha Martin.
Hi Jerry and Tabitha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Jerry started singing when he was 2 years old. He sang in his local church and was invited to sing at several different functions throughout the area. At age 9, he recorded his first album. He came from a musical family with his dad playing the bass guitar and singing, his mom playing the piano and singing, and his older sister and brother singing as well.
When it came time, Jerry wanted to take music lessons, but they couldn’t afford them. Not even the rental of a band instrument. So playing in the school band was out, and Jerry continued singing.
One day, his mom brought him to sing in front of some prominent men in the music industry. They told Jerry that he didn’t have what it took to be a professional singer. After those discouraging words, he continued to sing. He entered a county-wide talent competition that his home church wanted him to enter. He did and won the competition. After that, some boys from his church started bullying him and making fun of his singing.
Jerry stopped singing for 7 years because of that. He didn’t utter one note until one day the love of music was too strong not to do anymore. He decided not to listen to the nay-sayers and the bullies. Instead, Jerry started to focus on his dream of becoming a professional entertainer. Soon, doors started opening up, and he joined his first band in 1992. From there, he went on to sing and perform with the top-tier groups in the gospel music industry. He toured across the US and several other countries for 17 years before getting the tenor position with Dolly Parton’s Quartet, the Kingdom Heirs, based in Pigeon Forge, TN, at Dollwood. Jerry performed with Dolly on occasion at the park while spending 10 seasons there.
During his career, Jerry became a student of voice and was taught by world-renowned vocal coaches, and he also developed his own methods that he teaches today. Jerry garnered 17 #1 songs, 3 Song of the Year awards, 3 consecutive #1 debuting albums on the Billboard Charts, 2 Band of the Year awards, 23 nominations as a vocalist, and was inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame in 2000. He has performed on numerous television shows, featured on podcasts and radio interviews, and performed to over a million people each year.
It was Jerry’s principles and work ethic that made a huge difference in what others told him he would never do. These principles are what he continues to live by each day and are what he instills in all of the students at Maryville Music Academy. Jerry calls them the Gold Standard for Success. They are Drive, Dedication, Determination, and Discipline.
Jerry states, “I knew there was a need for a high-quality, family-oriented music school in our area, and we have a heart for our community”. Jerry and his wife Tabitha made the decision together for Jerry to retire from performing and build Maryville Music Academy, and that is exactly what they did. What was once a passion for Jerry became his mission. A mission to help those who need a safe space where they can create, learn, and level up their skill set. A place where it feels like you are home and surrounded by people who truly care and want to help you succeed.
Today, Maryville Music Academy is the number one choice for music lessons in our area and beyond. It has always had an online platform as well as our in-person lessons. When COVID first hit, we didn’t slow down because we already had our system in place to do online lessons when needed. The academy also has many virtual students across the US who take weekly private lessons. You can see in the timeline below where we started from and where we are today!
In 2018, while touring and performing 3-4 shows each day at Dollywood, Jerry saw the need to help other vocalists who were seeking help with sustaining their own voice with the rigors of touring and entertaining the masses. He developed methods and techniques that he uses to sing correctly and maintain longevity in his own voice, and started teaching it to his peers. Starting online and in their home studio, the academy quickly took off. We started getting asked if we taught instruments as well. We had an extra room where we could start teaching piano, guitar, and drums, but quickly outgrew the space.
In 2021, Jerry had a vision to create a 21st-century, 360-degree music, arts, and entertainment academy. He assembled a team of multi-talented, passionate, and professional music and entertainment Instructors to help build his vision. We moved into our first commercial space, which was 1,000 sq ft, and we built 3 dedicated practice rooms with a recording studio. Within a year, we grew even quicker and found that we needed more space to grow, so we could implement other programs and instruments we could offer.
In 2023, we found a new location and our home at the Foothills Mall in Maryville, TN, which was perfect for what we needed. We are now in a 4,200 sq ft space with 8 practice rooms, a dedicated recording studio, workshop area, and space for band programs. We have a stage inside the mall and 24 hr security for our students. That’s hard to beat anywhere you go! We currently serve over 100 students each week and continue to grow. We strive to bring Blount County and beyond to the highest level of music lessons and continue to help shape our growing musicians and entertainers in our area.
Today, we teach and specialize in voice, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, drums, banjo, mandolin, dobro, and a few other special instruments. We also teach artist development, audition prep, and stage prep. We have 14 instructors, an independent record label, Sound Chamber Records, and a professional recording studio.
“We teach many different styles of music, so there is something for everyone can learn at the academy. Our students are from 5 years old to senior adults, learning and having a blast every day with us,” Jerry states.
We have an amazing rewards program and are the only academy licensed for the Musical Ladder System, where students earn cool wristbands and trophies as they level up.
We have performance opportunities such as our annual spring and fall recitals, and are involved in other events like the Voices of Hope singing competition, which is made possible through our non-profit organization, “The Estelle Martin Music Foundation.”
This is a very special foundation that is close to our hearts. Through our organization, we help children in foster care, military children, and underprivileged children who can’t afford music lessons. We offer music scholarships to help pay for their music education, and it is funded by donations and grants that we seek out to help with this. It all goes back to how my wife Tabitha and I grew up, and this is our way of giving back where we can.
As Maryville Music Academy and our non-profit organization, The Estelle Martin Music Foundation, continue to grow, Tabitha and Jerry’s mission continues to reach deep within the community to help make a difference and change lives through music education.
This is where music can change a life, no matter how young or old you may be. It’s where music comes alive for those who are willing to put in the work. Maryville Music Academy is our beacon of light and hope for our amazing community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a road of growth for sure. But if you stay the course, if you believe in what you are working toward, and believe in yourself, then anything is possible. The struggles that we faced were mainly financial. Where were we to get the money for this program, or how are we going to afford this instrument or sound equipment, etc?
We have a strong vision for the academy. It takes time to get over the hurdles while trying to navigate how and when to do something. Especially if it’s a big project like purchasing or building our own place one day. But if you hold steady to your vision and continue to work hard towards the goals you set before you, you can achieve anything, and that’s what we are doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
For me, it was a dream come true to become a professional entertainer, recording/touring artist, and then become the founder and lead vocal coach of Maryville Music Academy. I was known for being one of the industry’s best high tenor singers. During that time, I wanted to take my talents to the optimum level, and I worked very hard to do so, which later led me to helping others and sharing my knowledge with other vocal students of ours.
I specialize in voice technique and can go very deep into the mechanics of how we sing and why we do certain things as we sing. As a singer, I personally believe you can learn to be a well-rounded singer that can sing anything from pop, rock, country, jazz, R&B, bluegrass, gospel, and many more styles instead of just putting yourself in a box and thinking you can only sing this one way when there is a path to total vocal freedom.
With all of the awards and accolades I have received during my time as an entertainer, I would have to say that none of that compares to when I see a student of ours succeed. Whether it’s a part in a musical or play, or getting their own music out to the world that we helped them create. Or maybe that moment when they sing a note they couldn’t yet reach, but they see how much the hard work they are putting in has worked.
I think what sets me apart from others is the dedication it takes to do what we do. Remember, I came from a place where people said I didn’t have what it took to “make it” in the music industry, and I was bullied. If I had listened to those people, I would not have had the opportunities I did, and now providing a way to help others just like me with a chance to do something amazing through music that could potentially help others someday. This is what it’s all about.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I would have to say Respect matters to me the most, which is kind of the umbrella over other significant things that are important and matter. Having respect for music and the process it takes to get you from being just ok to phenomenal is so important. Without respect in this manner, you will never reach that highest goal, dream, or potential.
Respect for music is about doing the hard things, putting in the work, and the sacrifices you make along the way. For me, it goes back to the 4 D’s I live by every day. Drive, Determination, Dedication, and Discipline. When you can take your talents seriously enough and do these things every day, that is when you see, hear, and feel the difference.
Pricing:
- $160.00 tuition per month for music lessons.
- $320.00 tuition per month Sound Chamber Records
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maryvillemusicacademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryvillemusicacademy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryvilleMusicAcademy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MaryvilleMusicAcademy
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/maryville-music-academy-maryville
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@MaryvilleMusicAcademy
