The Times Advocate, 2008-09-03, Page 14Crossroads
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Times -Advocate
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Crediton area fiddler cuts first CD
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
CREDITON — Crediton area fiddler
Devon Martene has cut his first CD,
which will be available to buy Monday
(Sept. 8).
"That was one of my lifelong
dreams," says Martene, a Grade 11
student at South Huron District High
School (SHDHS).
Martene, who is only 16 years old,
has played the fiddle since he was
five.
At the age of four Martene began
studying the "Suzuki" violin with a
family friend, and now at 16, he is
heavily involved with the music pro-
gram at SHDHS. Martene can play
several instruments including the
french horn, piano and banjo and has
created a CD featuring a song he
wrote in memory of his grandfather
Anthony.
The song, "Anthony's Jig" is espe-
cially close to Martene's heart, as his
grandfather, who played the violin,
died in a tragic accident in 2000.
"He would have been very proud of
Devon's accomplishments," says his
mother Julia, adding although she
loves "Anthony's Jig," her favourite
song is "Devon's Waltz," written by
Exeter's Gerry Smith.
Smith was Martene's teacher for
about six years, and is someone
Martene looks up to musically.
"He's been a huge part of my music
career. He's also written most of the
songs on my CD," says Martene.
Martene also credits his band mem-
bers who he has performed with
locally for years, including Exeter's
Harvey Smith, Crediton's Don
Finkbeiner, Granton's Harold Mills
and Staffa's Ivan Norris.
"We've done a lot of shows," says
Martene, explaining they've enter-
tained at many nursing homes and
other local venues.
Martene says over the years he's lis-
tened to a lot of different styles of fid-
dle music, including East Coast, blue
grass and celtic, adding he enjoys a
variety of different styles of music.
"Anything but rap," says Martene.
Martene also says he hopes to travel
to the East Coast one day, since music
from that region has been one of his
favourites for so long.
Martene also says he's inspired by
Dorchester's Shane Cook, a Canadian
and US National fiddle champion.
Martene says creating the CD was a
great opportunity, saying the highlight
was "working with the musicians I
was able to. I had never done that
before."
Julia also says it was beneficial to
the whole family, including father
Earl and Martene's brothers Jason
and Brian.
"It was educational for all of us. It
was quite the involved process," says
Julia, adding, "It was a wonderful
learning experience for him and
myself."
When asked why he choose to play
the fiddle, Martene can sum it up in
one word, "Passion."
Martene also says he enjoys "being
different. Not many people do this
style, and it's fun."
Martene says although he's accom-
plished one of his lifelong dreams only
at the age of 16, he's looking forward
to meeting other goals in life.
After SHDHS, Martene is hoping to
study music at the University of
Western Ontario, whether it be teach-
ing or performing, but "definitely
music," he says.
As far as advice goes, Martene says
for anyone wanting to pursue an
instrument that "determination" is the
key, along with "practice, practice,
practice," adds Julia.
In the near future, Martene will per-
form at the International Plowing
Match in Teeswater Sept. 16 to Sept
20 with the Campfire Country Band.
To buy the CD, contact the Martenes
at 234-6752 or e-mail them at
ejmartene@hay.net
Local fiddler — Devon Martene, above, a 16 year old from the Credition area
has cut his first CD. It will be available to buy Monday by contacting the Martenes
at 234-6752 or at ejmartene@hay.net (photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
CD cover — Above is the cover of the CD Martene made, which includes a
song written in memory of his grandfather,"Anthony's Jig." (photo/submitted)
Practicing — Martene, above, practices before recording his CD. He says cutting
a CD was one of his lifelong dreams. Martene also says Exeter's Gerry Smith, who
wrote most of the songs, is an inspiration to him. (photo/submitted)