Karla Martin

United States

I started playing the Drums in the mid 80’s when female drummers were not common. Hard work and perseverance paid off and I’ve been fortunate to be able to play with some great fellow musicians through the years. This last year has been great. My band, RELENTLESS, is playing out quite often and we’re looking forward to a great season this year! I’m playing my 5 piece Pearl Export kit with a Pork Pie Snare with Zildjian A Customs cymbals. I chose this 38 Special song, Back Where You Belong, to honor my friend who is now the drummer for them! He was a kind and helpful person a long time ago when he was playing in a band and would let me sit in on the drums. I love playing and I hope I’ll be able to play for a long time to come.

8 Comments

  1. frederick on March 21, 2023 at 1:36 pm

    “Right Where You Belong” is a great choice, Karla. On the drums, on top of the world, yeah………..right where you belong. Your timing and emphasis at every point were perfect. I am anything but an expert, but one need not be an expert to recognize your talent and passion. Everyone here is proud to call you a fellow Hodag.

  2. DianeHirakawa DianeHirakawa on March 25, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    That’s great you’ve got to “sit in” with bands. In SD, the boys are too stingy with their sets…… Such is life. In this”38 Special” tune you put in some effective fast 1/16 notes and then a nicely places single roll, too. Great work. I remember you from other years I’ve entered. Usually I’m entering rock with RUSH and Neil Peart, but this year I decided on a 1930’s tune to rest my rotator cuff after injury (I”m a swimmer.) Good Luck, keep having fun and I will too.

  3. nadkelly nadkelly on April 4, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    Rock on, Carla!! You killed it. Thanks for showing me how perseverance pays off!

  4. jenmarinasfong jenmarinasfong on April 12, 2023 at 12:42 am

    Killin it as usual Karla! Great to see you here. Best of luck to you!

  5. Jakob Darkening on April 12, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    It’s a pleasure to vote for you again, Karla. Last time I sort of “adjusted” the title of the song because up at the top is “right where you belong,” and this time I will used the original title here……….because you are “Back Where You Belong,” in that upper echelon again. You will have my votes for sure, and if anyone listens and watches, they will feel that you deserve their votes, too.

  6. Jakob Darkening on April 16, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    For what it’s worth, every time I vote, I enjoy your video at least a couple more times.

  7. Isobel Isobel on April 23, 2023 at 1:12 pm

    So cool! 😆🤘🤘🤘

  8. sandigreccomusic@gmail.com sandigreccomusic@gmail.com on May 11, 2023 at 9:47 pm

    Karla! You Rock, I love your drumming and how happy you are!!

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