New Jersey native Trade Martin is a Grammy award-winning producer, composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his 1962 recording “That Stranger Used To Be My Girl,” a tune he recorded on Coed Records. The pop tune peaked at #28 on Billboard Top 100 and led to a successful appearance on American Bandstand, the most successful television dance show in the country. That performance led to a starring appearance on music impresario Alan Freed’s Miami Rock and Roll show the year the song was released. In the 1960s, Trade’s career began when he was a teen starting Rome Records with Johnny & The Jokers, an East Coast group. By the end of the decade and while entering high school, he composed and produced his first professional recording work in Linden, New Jersey. At his own expense, he formed his own band with homogenized background singers capable of backing every genre under the sun. As his guitar-skills strengthened, he earned increasing respect from the recording industry and became a favorite as a studio musician. As Martin’s success continued to grow in the early 1960s, he enlisted the support of his first manager Ed E. Miller (Russell Moody), who co-wrote Elvis Pressley’s hit “Wear My Ring Around Your Neck.” And one benefit of this partnership is one of his vocal demos was heard by Elvis as Trade continued to record vocal demos for leading acts in the entertainment industry. Elvis spoke favorably of his demo recording. 1960, Trade received his first major recording contract on Roulette Record’s subsidiary, Gee Records. While under contract, he released the instrumental version of the popular classic “Beyond The Sea” (La Mer).  But not content with his personal achievements, he spent years — beginning in the early-1960s — composing songs and producing numerous acts. A noteworthy writing success was The Vanilla Fudge’s “Take Me For A Little While,” a hugely successful song covered by Cher, Dusty Springfield, Patti Labelle, and the tune continues to be covered by other singing standouts. The song was even sampled by popular hip-hop artist Kanye West in his project “Ghost Town.” Interestingly, season four, episode six (Nobody Hurts) was the premise for West’s 2019 (GT) recording. Add to this, his prized discovery of Larry Chance and the Earls who, in 1961, enjoyed success with the popular “Life Is But A Dream,” a song recorded on Rome Records, Trade’s label. Joss vocal prowess is not limited to the US market. But in 1965, 1966, the UK’s Northern Soul movement was blessed with his RCA recordings of “Work Song,” “Moanin,” and “Sixteen Tons,” three well-arranged classic remakes. When he signed with Stallion Records in 1968, he released “She Put The Hurt On Me” among other soul-flavored, R&B tunes. By the early 1970s, he expanded into making jingles for radio and television commercials, including ones for Pepsi with Linda Ronstadt and The Four Tops. Martin’s thespian skills are also a testament to his eclectic talents and as a result SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA have been blessed to have his membership. Not to be overlooked is his participation in television and films. His success in orchestral film scores include “Made For Each Other” and “Hail To The Chief,” whereas his movie roles include West New York, which he plays opposite Goodfellas’ Frank Vincent and Soprano’s Vincent Pastore. Martin’s original T.V. & Radio commercials boasts a Who’s Who among corporations: TWA, Prudential, and Exon are a sampling. Also, Pepsi and other major corporations have included his vocals in jingles and on other spots. Since the 1990s, his primary focus has been composing, arranging, and producing vocal blues duets previously recorded with the late B.B. King and other gifted artists. An all-duets CD consisting like “Business With My Baby” and other original material will soon be available. Trade is unique as a vocal craftsman because he writes and records music nearly every week. Tunes representing blues, R&B, country, and pop appear on his own label Innovation Digital Of America, distributed by Universal Music Group (UMG — Ingrooves). His recordings can be purchased at all digital retail outlets, and they can be viewed on YouTube and other video channels. His benevolence is witnessed by his willingness to perform for his favorite charities to assist veterans, cancer victims, and children who suffer serious illness. Following a belief in a better world creatively and in every other way, not only does Trade pride himself in his natural field of endeavor, but some of his ventures — benevolent and monetary– have taken him to far-flung reaches of futuristic, Sci-Fi concepts designed for film and special sound-effects in motion pictures. He developed a curiosity for all phases of the music industry. In 1972 he showcased

Let Me Touch You for historic Buddah Records, a label whose catalog, to this day, is a Who’s Who and continues to reverberate as a foundation for modern popular music. In 1974, he discovered the popular funk group BT Express and performed on their hit “Do It (Til You’re Satisfied)” and many others. Trade’s finest asset is his versatility and his ability to sing tunes from diverse genres and provide backing instrumentation at a consistently high level. Peter Nero, director of the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra, recorded the movie theme “Made for Each Other,” from the score composed by Trade. Also noteworthy is the jazz, country, and pop material he releases for his own label Innovation Digital of America, an Ingrooves partner with Universal Music Group. On January 10, 2021, He appeared on the NBC/WBRE television show PA Live! He improvised his guitar playing and discussed his career. In 2017, Martin released “Rockin’ With Good Times,” a duet with legendary bluesman B.B. King, which the former composed, arranged and produced. His composition “Peace To The World,” an up-tempo classic anthem was also made popular by B.B. The track is included in King’s 1991 Grammy award-winning album “Live At San Quentin.” Presently, Martin is preparing for concerts, television appearances, writing, and new music recordings highlighting the songs of legendary artists, including Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra.

• Phil C. Brown — Media for Trade Martin 
• (817 681-6068 —