Friends rally around local musician who needs help
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » Former Ridley Township resident Ray Martin spent a great deal of time performing on the local music scene. Unfortunately, these days Martin spends a big chunk of his time battling illness and trying to overcome numerous hardships. Martin, a selftaught guitarist and vocalist and member of The Emeralds, a backstreet a cappella group, is suffering from the effects of diabetes, including memory loss, neuropathy, early-onset Alzheimer’s, depression and a heart attack which resulted in open heart surgery and the placement of seven stents.
Martin’s friends and fellow musicians have joined forces to create the “RayStock Music Festival, planned for 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at Tom ‘N Jerry’s sports bar, 1006 MacDade Blvd., Milmont Park. Doors will open at 1 p.m., with bands performing for 45 minutes sets, every hour, on the hour, beginning at 2 p.m..
Seven of Martin’s favorite bands will donate their time and talent to benefit Martin, who is facing extreme physical and financial difficulties, as well as mounting medical bills. His condition has made it impossible for him to work or perform. Included in the lineup are three former WMGK House Bands, The Sofa Kings, Work Release and Musician Impossible. The lineup includes Civil Discord, from 2-2:45 p.m.; The Ribhouse Horn Band with Su Teears, 3-3:45 p.m.; Work Release, 4-4:45 p.m.; Steamboat Annie, 5-5:45 p.m.; Musician Impossible, 6-6:45 p.m.; The Sofa Kings, 7-7:45 p.m.; and The Whitewalls, 8-8:45 p.m.
In addition to the live music, the event will feature a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction, with gift baskets and many unique items, including an Epiphone SG guitar, adorned with one-of-a-kind decoupage artwork by Jeff Larson and donated by the Sofa Kings, The Cozy and Work Release and four hours of limo service provided by Scott Gourley of Big Daddy Limo.
RayStock organizers include Tommy Najarian, saxophone player for the Sofa Kings, Ed Horning, bass player for Steamboat Annie, Lee Harper, longtime friend, Jim Carr, lead singer for Musician Impossible and Jay McKelvey, guitarist for Civil Discord.
Harper, a friend of Martin for over 40 years, said they “are like brothers.” The pair met and became friends while they were both in Ridley High School in 1972. 1974. Harper was in the RHS Class of 1973. Martin was a member of the RHS Class of 1974.
“Ray and I have been through thick and thin,” Harper stated. “I know that if the tables were turned, he would do the exact same thing for me. That’s the way he is — he’s a really good friend to everyone he knows. We all think the world of him.”
Renee Martin, Ray’s only sibling, said her brother has had more hospital stays than she could count, in the last several years. He was just released from a four week stay at Inspira Medical Center last week, hospitalized after being found in a diabetic coma on Aug. 26.
Renee explained why the two siblings are exceptionally close. Both Ray and Renee were born in Cape May, N.J., only 11 months apart. Their mother died when Renee was 5 years old, Ray was 6. Their father eventually remarried a Springfield resident and moved the family to Secane where they attended Kedron and Amosland schools and later Ridley High School. Following high school, Martin served in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician on the USS Enterprise.
As adults, the siblings have always lived within 15 minutes of each other. Currently, both are residing in New Jersey, Renee in Woolwich Township and Ray in Mickleton.
“It’s always basically been just Ray and me,” Renee said. “I will always take care of Ray, because there is no one that I love more than my brother! I am so grateful to all of Ray’s friends and I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who has stood by Ray. It makes me proud to know there are so many good people out there who really and genuinely care about Ray.”
In addition to his many years performing on the local music circuit, Ray Martin has a long history in Delaware County from his career in radio communications and electronics. Martin worked at Silo at the Bazaar of All Nations, from 1980-87, followed by 23 years working at HiFi House in Broomall, until the company went out of business in 2010. He then was employed by Thomas Chevrolet in West Chester and Media, in new and used auto and truck sales, until his illnesses prevented him from working.
Tickets for RayStock, which cost $25 and include food, beer, continuous live entertainment, will be available at the door. For more information about the event and daily updates on auction items and other added RayStock features, visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/118525958815388/?/. For directions or more information about the venue, visit tomnjerrys.com. To donate auction items, email Lee Harper at WLHarper1@gmail.com.