Interview With Sharon Martin

By Lolis Eric Elie

Mild-mannered public administrator by day, sultry blues singer by night, Sharon Martin is one of the many New Orleans treasures that few music fans outside the city have heard. Gigi’s is her kind of place and, as you will see in Sunday's episode, she brings the house down.

To give you a little background on this firecracker of a singer, I did a little Q&A with her recently.

How long have you been singing professionally?  

Sharon Martin: Well, they tell me I'm a late starter. I was about 32 years old when I decided to jump out there singing with (guitarist) Carl LeBlanc. So, as of this day, I've been singing professionally since 1989 or 1990. I really can't remember, but for sure it's around 25 years or so. I got paid $50 per gig my first gigs.

What singers have influenced you? How would you describe the range of the music you perform?

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