Renée was born in Nashville, and raised in country music. Her parents were in country music as well as her grandparents. So naturally she was greatly influenced by country. But Renée was also exposed to many genres and artists, so she has a deep appreciation for great music no matter what heading it falls under.
Renée's mother, Judy, was also a great singer, and good friends with Patsy Cline. She was greatly influenced by Patsy, as well as Tammy Wynette and Dotty West and exposed Renée to their music at an early age.
Renée's father, O'Dell Martin, was an incredible Kentucky Thumbpicker and wrote instrumentals recorded by artists such as Chet Atkins. He spent over 30 years touring as a bandleader and frontman for pioneers such as Faron Young, Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright, Donna Fargo, Mel Tillis and many beloved members of the Grand Ole Opry. His love for fingerstyle guitar made him a great fan and friend of Chet Atkins, Paul Yandell, Jerry Reed, Glen Campbell, Merle Travis, Mose Rager, Lenny Breau, and numerous other gifted players. Renée holds a very special place in her heart for masterful musicians, but has a unique appreciation for thumb and fingerstyle guitarists.
Today you will find everything on her ipod from Keane, U2 and Coldplay, to Aerosmith, Andrae Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Snow Patrol, Dashboard Confessional, and Chris Tomlin. And of course she loves classic icons such as Elton John, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, James Taylor, The Beatles, The Eagles yada, yada, yada.
The hardest part is naming faves when you are such an avid fan of great music, period.
Renée, the third generation in a family of artists, has spent the last decade touring as a background vocalist with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Patty Loveless, Jessica Andrews, Pam Tillis, Billy Dean, and countless other artists in country, pop and Gospel music. She has appeared on most every major television network in the United States, as well as many broadcasts overseas.
Her career highlight came in 2000 when she was featured on CBS during the 'Faith Hill Thanksgiving Special'. When Faith asked Renée, “What does your family do for Thanksgiving?”, she was able to share a very spiritual moment of how they express gratitude. That one event renewed a passion in Renée's soul for helping people build deeper relationships and experience more of God’s Grace in their lives. She even received a confirmation from within the band to "Step out on Faith" (no pun intended), into ministry.
God has allowed a series of events to prepare Renée for the road ahead. One of those being Faith's decision to not tour between Soul2Soul and Soul2Soul2. As a result, Renée has been writing and recording, as well as sharing her testimony through music, speaking and teaching in various churches throughout America.
Her story of salvation begins with the unconditional love of an old, retired preacher. Renée met Brother Loy Cook in 1986, almost exactly one year after tragically losing her father in a car accident. She had not grown up in church and had never experienced the kind of love that Jesus had to offer. Loy helped to fill the void from the loss of her earthly father and showed her the unconditional love of her heavenly Father. Though Renée was somewhat resistant at first, Loy never gave up on her. He'd meet her at Wendy's for a Frosty and talk about Jesus. He would always end every conversation with, "You ought to come to church on Sunday."
After 3 months, the investment Loy made in Renée paid off. She not only surrendered to Loy's invitation to come to church, she also surrendered the rest of her life to Jesus Christ. Since that day, 20 years ago, God has been preparing Renée for "The Call" of passing on this beloved gift of God's Grace.
Renée refers to Loy as the first tangible evidence that made her believe how real Jesus is. He was "Jesus with skin on." The first Christian song she wrote was a tribute to him entitled "You've Been Jesus To Me."
Hi Renee, Thank you for friendship. Listening to "Don't Cry For Me"... Thank you. Sharing: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NASB): "If ... My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Also sharing:
Renee, GOD has blessed you in abondance. You are reaching people that need to know JESUS. And you are reaching Christians that need to be reminded of their Salvation. Glad to know that you are spreading the Gosple.
hey renee i miss u soooo much i just got back from church camp all of last week it was really fun i will be coming to ur thing on thursday cant wait to see u love ya
Dear Renee, Thank you very much for friendship. I realy love your voice and your music. You're so beautiful, sensitive, gifted. Hoping see you one day on stage in Paris or USA. Wishing all the best for you, success and love. Sending you many kisses.
Hi Renee!! I did not know you were on here! Thank you so much for inviting me to be friends! You have a wonderful Ministry and I say a pray for you often! God Bless you in all you do for Him! Darlene Ba††les † JESUS IS LORD †
Hi Renee, Just wanted to say hello my friend. I am praying for you as you are out there winning souls for the Kingdom, God keep a hedge around you and protect you---You Go Girl!! Blessings, Darlene
I am so glad to see you using the tallent God has given you. It seems like yesterday I was sitting in church on Sunday night waiting for your turn to sing...That was many moons ago. I love you and your whole family. God bless and hope to see you soon.
I think you get a amazing future in front of you with your music, because you have a amazing, beautiful and wonderful song voice and you have real good and amazing songs:):)
Renée, the third generation in a family of artists, has spent the last decade touring as a background vocalist with Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Patty Loveless, Jessica Andrews, Pam Tillis, Billy Dean, and countless other artists in country, pop and Gospel music. She has appeared on most every major television network in the United States, as well as many broadcasts overseas.
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† JESUS IS LORD † 
