Country singer-songwriter Macy Martin from College Station holds an impressive track record. She debuted her vocal talent as the guest entertainment at a Miss America Organization pageant in 2005, created Macy’s Toy Box in 2006, juggled her budding career and school, and graduated from Belmont University in the spring of 2020. Macy says music speaks to her soul and she hopes to continue sharing her experiences and messages with others. Her newly released single I Miss You, is available on Spotify and Apple Music, along with her other music.
Growing up in a spirited hometown like College Station was special to Martin, she says. Not just growing up in close proximity to Texas A&M University, but family ties as well. “My mom’s cousin was a yell leader,” she says. “We always joke because he took us to an Aggie football game when I was about 6 years old … I fell asleep in the middle of an Aggie football game so it’s a miracle that I’m not disowned right now.”
Martin figured she’d attend Texas A&M and stay in Texas. However, she took the opportunity to get started on her music career in Nashville during high school, says Martin.
“It was just an opportunity but totally fell in my lap, and I’m a firm believer that wouldn’t have happened if it were not meant to be,” says Martin.
Martin grew up with influences like George Strait, Martina McBride, Eagles, Elephant Trails, Journey, the Rat Pack, and more. She describes her music as a cross between the melodic and stylistic elements of songs she listens to in the Top 40, classic jazz styles she grew up with, and the singer-songwriter vibe she loves.
“I always loved when I was younger to write poetry and stuff, and for me, that just kind of evolved into songwriting,” says Martin. “When I learned what I really wanted to say, and especially now just going through life every single day, I’ve learned more about what I wanted to say and what I want to write about, which I’m just so excited about.”
Martin graduated from Belmont University in spring 2020 with a bachelor of arts in Music Business. She says her music career wouldn’t have been possible at any university except Belmont, which she considers the “music version of Hogwarts,” where many of Martin’s professors were managing their musical careers and work just like she was.
One of Martin’s passions, Macy’s Toy Box, is in the process of becoming a certified nonprofit with the purpose of collecting and distributing toys to emergency relief organizations, children’s health centers, and hospitals, along with other family relief organizations. Macy’s Toy Box emerged from Martin’s young desire to ensure her toys would not end up with someone like Sid from Toy Story paired with the support of her parents. Macy’s Toy Box has worked with Monroe Carrol Jr. Children’s Hospital in Vanderbilt, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Texas Children’s Hospital.
“That is something that I’m so proud to just give back in a special way,” says Martin. “But of course when you go into those hospitals, there’s a lot of strength in those families and those kids, so you get so much just from being a part of it. Seeing them and interacting with them, it reminds me to be strong in so many other ways.”
Martin plans to rebrand Macy’s Toy Box in the near future and release new music, too. She says she has enjoyed recording new songs such as Enough and is excited to share it with everyone. Her five-year goals are to continue doing what she loves: sharing messages that resonate with her life experiences and perspective.
“Whether I am in Texas, Tennessee, California, anywhere, the other side of the world, I am forever and always a Texas girl true at heart and I love my Aggies even if I didn’t go there.”
