Musician for hire who sings 50% original and 50% songs covers & traditional song on banjo / guitar / harmonica. Will learn songs upon request for a modest additional fee.
I'm not an "anti-vaxxer", but I choose not to get the Covid-19 vaccine. I can provide you with more info upon request.
For the right price Fast Heart Mart will travel as far away as you require.
Mart really outdid himself; he was kind enough to drive up to LA to play at my birthday- and he really outdid himself. The music was lively and everyone really enjoyed themselves and had a great time. We had him play on a porch for an outdoor get together we had and it was a better set up and time than I could have imagined. Such a musical talent and a crowd favorite. Professional and fun!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank you so much Julia! I would play for your crowd again anytime :)
He was so accommodating and great to work with since our time frame was running late. He put on a fast paced banjo medley of traditional hard driving tunes. My husband Richard said "he really knows his way around the neck" and I think that is a compliment. I would recommend him to my friends and anyone else who wants a fun, and talented banjo player for their event.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank you Laura! It was an absolute pleasure to play for your husband’s 80th birthday!
Martin is so engaging with his audience and his music is truly inspirational! His songs are uplifting and you can't help but catch the beat and sway to the music as he plays. We even sang along to several of the songs he played for us at my husband's backyard birthday party. Such a fun evening!
"Fast Heart" Martin Stamper was just what we needed for our older adult congregate meal program for the City of Poway. If you're in need of a Banjo player, book Martin!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Hey thanks Dakota! What a pleasure playing for your event! I'll do it again anytime :)
Martin was early on arrival, brought everything he needed, made the party so fun and was all around the stand out part of the party! Definitely hire him if you’re looking for a good time! Also he’s just a cool dude!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Aww, thank you soooooo much Cassie!!! It was a pleasure playing for you and your crew for your sister's 40th birthday party!!! I'll play for y'all again anytime and you guys are very cool :)
Martin is a true delight! I met him at a farmer’s marketing in San Diego two years ago during a vacation. When I returned home, to Bellingham, WA, I emailed him to come north for a house concert. My husband and I have been hosting house/yard concerts for 5 years. I knew Martin would be a perfect fit for our listeners and our home.
We just hosted him for the second time!
The musical talent of Martin is incredible, everyone is impressed with his banjo playing. However, it is his real, honest, funny stories, Martin’s outlook on life and experiences, his appreciation for what is right in front of him, for small moments and his knowledge/history of music that makes him a complete and total entertainer.
We always offer musicians meals and a place to stay. Martin quickly became a friend when he first played in 2018, when he returned this year it felt like family coming to visit, family you like! He is kind, respectful of our home, grateful and helpful during the hosting process. We asked him to come back and we will again and again.
Martin’s ability to make you feel comfortable and engage with a room of complete strangers is something you should witness for yourself.
BOOK “Fast Heart” Martin Stamper!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank you so much for this kind review Amy! You and Merrill are the best! See you next year for a back yard concert :)
Fast Heart Mart was great. He played our wedding and made it extremely special. Music was awesome, made the vibes of the day very unique and fun.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank You so much Jonny! Your wedding was so fun and a pleasure to play :)
It was serendipity that brought Martin to our Farmers Market and he really showed us a good time. He is a superb musician - singer, songwriter and banjo player extraordinaire. He kept toes tapping and smiles on every face in our Market for 3 hours. People lingered to the very last song. Martin’s professional experience and genuine good nature made every interaction with him enjoyable. We will definitely have him back as often as we can.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank you so much for this excellent review Lois! It was a pleasure playing at your Big Timber Montana market! If every market I played had such pleasant people and a great Market Master like you my life would be so much easier :)
We had Martin play for our son's 3rd birthday/4th of July celebration and it made the event perfection. The music was fun, catchy, and diverse -from easy to sit back and relax to while talking with others to upbeat and danceable. We plan to book Martin for our next big family gathering!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thanks for this kind review Ana! It was a fund party and I was honored to be hired for it! Here is a post I made on Instagram that was a huge hit with all my fans :) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzlC8eTHelN/
I look forward to playing for your family gathering in the future!
Fast Heart played at my 50th birthday party bash. He and the band were awesome! They are super-friendly, hung out with us, and put on a great show. Martin really knows how read the crowd, play to them and put on a great show.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Hey Kevin! Thanks for this great review! You guys were fun to play for! My band and I would love to come back and play for y'all anytime. Let me know if I can ever give you any banjo pointers on your banjo journey :)
Martin and his band mates were professional, on time, and incredibly talented.
Our guests were entertained and impressed, and they still think my husband and I have known Martin for years! We had a very diverse group at our party, with all ages represented, and Martin knew how to reach and engage them.
I highly recommend "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper for your next musical adventure. You will not be sorry.
Martin - we hope to see you play again one of these days!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Awww, thanks for this great review, Caron! It was a pleasure playing for you all! What a fun bunch you are :) It is people like you who make everything possible as a musician, so thank you for having us play. I hope to see you at another show very soon :)
Photos from this event
I am an activities director for a senior living community in San Diego where we have both assisted living and memory care residents. All of my residents love country western music. As a director, I feel it's important to expose them to as many new experiences as possible, including a variety of entertainment. I pride myself on constantly cycling in new talent to our calendar, including a variety of instruments for them to hear. I was very fortunate to find Fast Heart Mart, our first banjo-playing entertainer and what a treat! He has the Whole Room stomping their feet! I brought him in three times this year: 4th of July, Veteran's Day and Christmas. He not only performs country tunes, but he sings his own original songs and does beautiful renditions of contemporary music as well. He does great covers of the Beatles! We love, love, love this guy! Book him as he is a real charming fellow and a wealth of talent who will fill your room. He is also a joy to work with. I know we will book him in 2019 and so should you!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Wow! Thank you so much for this great review CT!!! I enjoy working with you and your people as well and let's keep this thing going :)
I LOVE THIS ARTIST! I have worked with many musicians in San Diego and Fast Heart Mart is my absolutely favorite artist to book. His original songs are totally unique, catchy and fun! People of all ages love Mart; He is great with kids and adults, and preforms well with other musicians too. He is easygoing, adaptable, and totally reliable. Fast heart mart is an amazing musicians, and an all-around wonderful person too.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank You Catherine! It's always a pleasure working with you and all your farmers' markets around San Diego! Keep up the good work yourself :)
Martin’s performance leaves a mark to each everyone’s heart especilaly to 80-93 yo ladies in our carehome when he played banjo and sang country songs for them. We will definitely want you back! ☘️
Live videos with him uploaded in our facebook page, P&P Homes, Inc.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank You Precy! I look forward to playing for y'all again soon :)
Photos from this event
What a great guy to work with. Fast Heart arrived early, was prepared, and very professional. He also plays a mean banjo!!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank You BJ! It was a pleasure working with you on this precious song you wrote. Thanks for having me :)
We hosted Fast Heart Mart live and acoustic on our outdoor patio at the Hard Rock Cafe Boston. Despite being from San Diego, he brought his own following out to the show, and made lifelong fans out of the rest of our guests. His kind attitude and professional demeanor were an absolute pleasure to work with, and his music was fantastic! I would absolutely recommend.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thanks Dan! I look forward to rocking The Hard Rock Cafe Boston again someday :)
Mart performed for me at an outdoor farmers market in Boston. He was super easy to work with and really resonated with his audience. I recommend him for any variety of shows - you can't go wrong with Mart!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Hey thanks Tim! I hope to play in for you again in Boston :)
Not only a talented performance but one heck of a good fellow! We will be happy to have him play anytime he is in the area. Really enjoyed hearing the crowd sing along.
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thanks Cody! I would love to return next year :)
I hired Fast Hart Mart to perform at a small private outdoor afternoon party at my mom's house.
Everyone enjoyed his show from a one year old baby, his mom in her 30's to my 93 year old mom! We have a small yard and Martin can set up quickly and easily. His vocals are superb along with his banjo playing. Playing a variety of his own originals along with classics, everyone was singing long. I would highly recommend Fast Heart Mart for your next party!
Martin was fantastic, his special appearance at my wedding reception as a surprise for my groom went as smooth as could be! The moment he started playing my Kentucky family took the floor clogging to show the "city folks" how it's done. Couldn't have been better! Thanks, Mary Holmes Blasi
Photos from this event
It wouldn't have been the same event without Fast Heart Mart. He sang for my father's memorial service and transformed what could have been a sad service into a true celebration. He took the difficulties of performing on a sailboat with a smile and a laugh. He brought along the songs I had requested--such as Handsome Molly and Keep on the Sunny Side--and then also a few others such as Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here. It was truly a celebration, and I will forever be grateful to him for this treasured memory. <3
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Awww, thanks Stacy! The feelings are mutual! I was honored to part of your father's memorial. I did not know your father, but if you and all his friends are an indication of who he was, he must have been a GREAT man! Thank you so much for hiring me for this splendid adventure. Best memorial EVER :)
Fast Heart Mart performed on our outdoor garden patio - entertaining our guests during Mother's Day Brunch
he added a large dimension of laughter and fun and transported our guests into a world of celebration and enjoyment
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Hey thanks Mitch! That means a lot coming form you! Keep up the good work with San Diego's finest vegan restaurants :)
Ooops, it says "singing guitarist" even though I was a singing banjoist that day. Close enough ;)
We were very pleased! He was perfect for our strawberry festival on our farm. Great job!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thank You Marnie! It was a pleasure working with you on this and playing your strawberry scented festival. Please have me back sometime :)
Fast Heart Mart was able to accommodate my last minute request for entertainment at a garden birthday party. He showed up early and provided a great show. It was the highlight of the event. He was reasonably priced and provided numerous options to ensure we got the right sound for the event. Thanks for a great time!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thanks Jay! It was a pleasure playing music for y'all! What a great group! Thanks for hiring me :)
Really enjoyed having him for our holiday work event. I am talking to him about performing at a school event as well. 5 star for sure.
best,
Jennifer
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Thanks Jennifer! It was a pleasure to play your event. I'll see you at the hoedown in a few months :)
I love this man's HEART!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Haha! "Fastidious" is perfect :)
Bright, beautiful! A true entertainer! Follow your heart!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
That means a lot coming from you Raymond!
Martin's set was impeccable! He's as solid a musician as he is a wonderful performer, teacher, and leader. He's great with the kids too! We welcome him into our family. You'll want to after you meet him!
Response from "Fast Heart" Martin Stamper:
Hey thanks Raymond! It was an absolute pleasure playing at your party! I'm glad to be part of your family now as you have a great one! I enjoyed your musical set as well. You're a great guy and I hope to play more events for you in the future :)
-Fast Heart Mart
Price Range: $150-$1000 plus travel expenses if needed
Gig Length: 20 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
I have been performing publicly for audiences since 1999. I am really good at reading a crowd. If they want me to entertain them with jokes and stories in between my songs, I can do that. If they seem to want to sing and clap along, I'm good at getting them into it so everyone has a some great moments together. However, there are times when it is appropriate for me to stay in the background and I am good at that too.
Hold on tight for Fast Heart Mart’s fast banjo songs, laugh at his funny story songs and contemplate the sad ones. Fast Heart Mart's message is to encourage the world to follow their bliss and live life passionately. From old time country to modern rock, to story telling rap and back to punky-bluegrass, Fast Heart Mart wins over any audience with his music and crowd heckling stage banter. He’s mostly as a banjo player these days, but he still loves to play his guitar too, depending on what the occasion calls for.
Martin Stamper was born with a heart condition that killed him a few times, so Fast Heart Mart became his trail name while hiking the Appalachian trail in 1995. When Martin began performing music in public in 1999 he thought Fast Heart Mart was a good stage name. He has opened for Beck, the Handsome Family, and Jeffrey Lewis just to name a few. Come to a performance and you’re guaranteed to be inspired!
Established in 1999, he has toured all over the world, including most of the USA, Germany and New Zealand. He traveled the USA from (phone number hidden)2 (32,000 miles) in his vegetable oil powered Volkswagen van, but now tours in a Toyota Prius for its fuel economy and dependability. He has released 14 albums, and opened for some really great musical acts, such as The Handsome Family, Jeffrey Lewis and the Junkyard, Beck (unoffically twice out on the street at his concerts, though he thanked me once), Golden Boy (Elliot Smith's guitar sidekick) Calexico, Railroad Earth, Nathan Payne, Ok Go, Lucero, Megan Jean and the KFB and tons of his friends' amazing bands.
Set 1
Keep on the Sunny Side (traditional song)
Hearts and Dreams (original song)
Norwegian Wood (Beatles)
I love you San Diego (original song)
Everything’s Alright (original song)
Tomorrow (original song)
Knocking On Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
Worried Man Blues (traditional song)
Wish You were Here (Pink Floyd)
Carbird (original song)
Shady Grove (traditional song)
Depression Proof (original song)
Country Blues (traditional song)
I'm An Alien and I Want to go Home (original song)
Set 2
Old Joe Clark (traditional song)
Stand By Me (Ben E. Keith)
Ruben’s Train (traditional song)
Good Lordy 40 (original song)
Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show/ Darius Rucker)
Cripple Creek (traditional song)
Crappy Holiday (original song)
Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne)
San Francisco (original song)
Won’t Back Down (Tom Petty)
Haunting (original song)
Rocky Top (Osborne Brothers)
I am a Bear (original song)
Rabbit in a Log (traditional song)
Float On (Modest Mouse)
I’ll Fly Away (traditional song)
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