It's my real name. Boring but hopefully one people will remember some day!

I have played live in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for years as lead singer of various R&B bands. Last Fall, I took my new band out to play my own original music live for the for the first time. It was truly the thrill of a lifetime to hear my music performed and orchestrated by professionals. We played for a variety of audiences and they all loved it.

I think the internet and mp3 technology has been a huge boon for independent music. Internet radio, file sharing, streaming mp3 and the like are changing the way we listen to music. Look at all the ipod addicts! Love it. Music is the soundtrack to our lives -- play on.

I am promoting my music on my own label, Martel, right now. It has been a really tough road but at least I get to call the shots. I love owning the rights to my own music and having total creative freedom. Of course making millions would be nice too...

David Martin has transitioned effortlessly from the novelty hit, “Did You Do It, OJ,” to bona fide singer-songwriter, musician, and music business honcho. In fact, he is earning a reputation as “the Clive Davis of the Bay Area” (a tag he accepts with humble grace), for his success with his own independent label, Martel Records, a division of Martel Communications, which he founded 14 years ago. Martel Communications began as a telecommunications business, to which Martin later added music production before establishing the label. He is developing a music video arm, as well.

His most recent accomplishment: his eclectic debut, King David's Throne, on Martel Records is available in stores now

The first single, “Anyway,” was released in February, and quickly peaked at #42 on the R&R CHR Top 50 chart, where it was the only track from an independent label among the majors. The fact that it remains on the chart more than six months later sings volumes of the love song's appeal.

With a sharp ear for mixing unexpected elements, and an alluring voice that crosses genres with natural range, Martin pulled together rock and hip hop sensibilities, delicious harmonies, and an irresistible reggae bridge, making “Anyway” a song to play. And play some more. To fully realize his vision, though, Martin enlisted acclaimed director Arthur Feidler (The Job), who lensed the “Anyway” music video at Vallejo 's Masonic Temple .

In the wake of the song's chart status, and with high-profile radio promotion and publicity representation in place, Martel Records just released the hot follow-up single, “Chillin',” produced and arranged by Rankin' Scroo, the godfather of Reggae who has been working with E-40 and Black Uhuru, Lutan Fyah and Noris Mann, just to name a few. The single also features a lyrical dub groove chorus written and performed by Rankin' Scroo.

“I've got some really great players with me, and we're going to make waves wherever we go,” Martin promises. “It will be a nice, tight show; real good stuff.”

Among the musicians inhabiting the well-appointed tour bus with Martin is multi-instrumentalist Jimi Fischer (Aretha Franklin, Patti Austen), who produced King David's Throne and The Temptations' RIAA certified platinum album, Phoenix Rising .

“Jimi was instrumental in putting the band together, and putting the songs together, and making sure we got what we wanted – a good radio sound,” Martin says with a combination of quiet confidence and pride.

Keeping the rhythms real, drummer Gigi Gonaway (Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Sheryl Crow), is on board, as well as other A-list players on guitar and keyboards, plus a pair of backing vocalists from Jamaica, courtesy of dancehall superstar Tony Rebel.

Hailing from Coshocton, Oh., Martin established himself as a vocalist and frontman of considerable presence for a number of San Francisco-Oakland bands (Colorblind, The Real Impostors), before deciding that the music on the radio wasn't doing it for him. Reasoning that there was a sizable audience who were also musically disenfranchised, he decided to be the new voice to rule the airwaves.

“This is my attempt to put something out there that has mass appeal to all age groups, with a positive message, to move people, to make them dance,” Martin explains. “The album is very eclectic; being from small-town Ohio , I listened to a lot of rock & roll and different types of music, which all reflects in my writing style. I like a screaming guitar, the bass of reggae and the dancehall effect of the drumbeat. It's a real fun album.”

Indeed, King David's Throne has already won the approval of the media, and the radio charts continue to bow to “Anyway” and “Chillin'.” The album contains many surprises, and one of particular note is Martin's seductive rendering of the classic rock hit, “Make It With You,” by Bread.

With it's charm, diversity and grooves, King David's Throne is a very comfortable place to be – and there's plenty of room for everyone.

Influences: Bob Marley, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Kenny Rankin, Cream. Style might be best called, "Eclectic World Pop" - reggae bass, lots of rock guitar, hip-hop influences.

The Bay Area, Northern Cali. I wrote a bumpin' song about it called, "Straight From the Bay", track 6 on "King David's Throne"

I use my accoustic, my panasonic keyboard and my screenblast acid software for basic writing. Then my producer Jimi Fischer and I go to town in his studio and record live tracks.

I love bus conversions, making music, playing dominoes and spending time with my three daughters - Gracie, Parker and Lulu.