Preacher
Joe™

Thank you, Mr. Gomez, for the opportunity to share this story in your publication. Martin Cifuentes aka “Don Martin”, evolved from a modest beginning. His father was an emigrate from Matamoros Mexico, who traveled alone to America at the age of 11 years old. Mother, a migrant worker and later a maid. Born in Corpus Christi Texas and raised in an impoverished neighborhood. Young Don Martin faced many challenges and overcame many barriers; language, poverty, literacy, drugs, criminal activity and neighborhood gangs.

Young Don Martin was court ordered into the Texas Juvenile system beginning at age 11 years old, for many violent offenses and at 15 yrs. old, was committed to the Texas Giddings State Home and School till the age of maturity. Though he was an 8^th grade dropout (Driscoll Middle School), he earned his GED and was released before his 18^th birthday. Jokingly, he states, “That he is a Fellow in the School of Hard Knocks”.

Returning to his home town. He enrolled at the local community college (Del Mar) and excelled by maintaining a 4.0 average throughout his curriculum. He was frequently on the Dean’s List, recognized for his high achievements and received several scholarships to continue his education. He was also active in promoting Education Programs and appeared in few a local news station commercials, “Former drop out, reaching for the star”. He aspirated to become a doctor.

Two years into his college studies, another life changing event. Fatherhood was in the horizon and he enlisted into the United States Navy. After completing Boot Camp, Hospital Corpsman School and FMF Training, he volunteered to serve with the U.S. Marine Corp as a Fleet Marine Force “Doc” and stayed Greenside almost 12 years. He devoted his time to mastering the skills needed in the battlefield and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Earning many medals, awards, the rank of Petty Officer 1^st Class and was honored to seat in the VIP section during President Bush, Victory speech at Camp Lejeune, NC April 2003. He retired from the military May 22, 2006 with honorable service to our country. Don Martin has received numerous awards both in uniform and as a civilian;

As a civil duty, he has volunteered as Sound engineer for many charitable (Toys for tots, Good Will) nonprofit events. A local news article, wrote he and his DJ brother collected thousands of dollars for burned victims at a local fundraiser.

Don Martin continued his education after retiring from the U.S. Navy; He majored in Psychology, Public Administration, International Business, and minored in Criminology. His love for learning is never ending, as is evident by his official transcript of 12 years in college.

He is an American warrior but stated his highest duty was raising two children as a single parent. Don Martin chronicles speaks volume as to who he is, the epitome of a proud military veteran and his passion for music. With over 40 years practicing guitar, his latest music will amaze the guitar legends. Funny story how it all started; his family bought him a used acoustic guitar but it had 4 missing strings. He said that one string from a broken guitar; was enough to find the intonation of a single note, turned chord, into a melody of his musical life experience. You can feel the aggression in his rock power chord songs, to the soft touch of a harmonic minor melody played, like Only a Master can do. He recently performed alongside “Young Grey” out of Nashville, Tennessee, opening up for Major Rap artist Rick Ross April 2024.

A newly discovered talent “Acting”. Within a short time span he went from seeking a role as an extra, to lead actor in many Indie films. His first role was as a limousine driver to the Legend Pepe Serna (Scarface, American Me) in “Wolfbane Say my Name” Circa 2019. Followed by many more short films. Though his acting career is just starting, his command of the visual arts has placed him years ahead of fellow artists. He has numerous cameo guitar appearances in music videos totally in the millions of views and is honored to work with Texas Rap star “That Mexican Ot” (Sep 8^th, Breannan, Cowboy killer and 15Missed Calls) and Dorian Green from DGREENfilms. He has produced, Starred, co-directed many short films and has been nominated “best supporting actor”, Corpus Christi 7 Day film festival 2020, 2022. Most recent is his role is the movie King of the South, as ssssss. He will keep that a little secret till the official announcements as a cast member. Stay tune to many more exciting venture Don Martin has planned for this year.