Martin Guitar Announces the Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025
NAZARETH, PA – Tuesday, February 25, 2025 – Martin Guitar is proud to introduce the Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025, a dynamic and diverse group of musicians shaping the future of music.
Launched in 2024, the Martin Artist Showcase was created to celebrate, support, and amplify breakthrough artists who are redefining genres, telling unforgettable stories, and inspiring the next generation of songwriters and performers.
Following the success of the inaugural class, the 2025 lineup features nine extraordinary artists spanning country, folk, Americana, rock, and beyond. Each of these musicians brings a unique voice and perspective to the industry, and Martin is honored to provide them with a platform—and the instruments—to continue sharing their music with the world.
Meet the Martin Artist Showcase Class of 2025
JD Clayton
JD Clayton delivers a timeless blend of country-rock shaped by his Arkansas roots. After years of grinding in Nashville and touring with legends like Dwight Yoakam, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Parker McCollum, Clayton returned home to craft Blue Sky Sundays, a deeply personal and adventurous album that led to his signing with Rounder Records. His music, rich with storytelling and authenticity, resonates with a sound that is both grounded and exhilarating. He is set to tour extensively in 2025.
Karley Scott Collins
Karley Scott Collins pairs ethereal charm with razor-sharp storytelling. Her latest project, Write One—featuring Keith Urban and Charles Kelley—dives deep into heartbreak and self-reflection. A 2024 CMT Next Women of Country honoree, Collins co-produced the album with GRAMMY® winner Nathan Chapman and played multiple instruments throughout. Having toured with icons like Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam, she is set to join Urban’s HIGH AND ALIVE TOUR in 2025, further solidifying her place in modern country music.
Kashus Culpepper
Alabama-born singer-songwriter Kashus Culpepper embodies the raw sound of the South. His husky, sandpaper growl tells stories of heartbreak and resilience, first honed during a Navy deployment in Spain. Back home, he built his name in dive bars along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, selling out headline club shows before releasing a single song. Now signed to Big Loud Records, Culpepper has shared stages with Charles Wesley Godwin, Charley Crockett, and NEEDTOBREATHE. His debut album is set to arrive in 2025.
Madi Diaz
GRAMMY-nominated artist Madi Diaz continues to push the boundaries of folk and Americana with her album Weird Faith, exploring love, self-discovery, and transformation. After opening for Harry Styles and later joining his touring band, Diaz has cemented her place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary music. The deluxe edition of Weird Faith, featuring collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, Lizzy McAlpine, and Lennon Stella, is out now, and she will be headlining a major tour this year.
Wyatt Flores
Wyatt Flores is making waves with his debut album Welcome to the Plains (Island Records). He has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series, and CBS Saturday Morning, while earning accolades from Rolling Stone and NPR. A proud Mexican-American artist from Oklahoma, Flores has amassed over 325 million streams to date. His growing fan base can expect a full slate of live shows and festival appearances in 2025.
Dylan Gossett
Dylan Gossett, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, made his mark in 2023 with his viral hit "Coal," earning critical acclaim from The New York Times. His raw, heartfelt songwriting has amassed over 700 million career streams. With a 23-city headline tour on the horizon, Gossett is proving to be a force in modern country and folk music, captivating audiences with his storytelling and emotive performances.
Braxton Keith
Braxton Keith is leading a revival of classic honky-tonk country. Raised in Midland, Texas, he honed his sound in Texas dancehalls, blending smooth two-step rhythms with a barbed-wire twang. His 2024 single "Cozy" showcases his fresh take on traditional country, and with more music on the way, Keith is ready to make an even bigger impact in 2025. His highly anticipated album is expected later this year.
Michael Marcagi
Cincinnati-based Michael Marcagi has built a loyal following through grassroots support and honest storytelling. His Warner Records debut EP, American Romance, highlights his folk-rock sensibilities and deep connection with listeners. Rejecting the traditional rock-star persona, Marcagi’s music is refreshingly authentic. He will be taking his signature sound to audiences worldwide as he embarks on an extensive tour in 2025.
Michigander
With over 60 million streams and praise from NPR, Paste, Consequence, SPIN, and Forbes, Michigander has established himself as a force in alternative music. His self-titled debut album, released February 7, 2025, follows a successful career of radio hits and festival appearances at Lollapalooza and Shaky Knees. His upcoming tour will see him playing venues across North America and Europe.
A Legacy of Sound
The Martin Artist Showcase is more than just a recognition—it’s a lifelong connection. These artists join an esteemed family of musicians who have left their mark on music history, and we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our inaugural Class of 2024—Drayton Farley, Devon Gilfillian, Ian Munsick, Joy Oladokun, Nate Smith, and Hailey Whitters—for an incredible year of music and inspiration. Their journey with Martin is far from over, and we look forward to celebrating their continued success.
The next generation is here—and trust us, the future sounds good.
Visit martinguitar.com for more on the Martin Artist Showcase.
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ABOUT C. F. MARTIN & CO.®
C.F. Martin & Co. has been making the finest handcrafted acoustic guitars for nearly two hundred years. For some of the biggest names and the most revered musical legends across every genre and every decade. And we’ve been doing it with pure artistic passion, a deep love for all things music, and an unwavering commitment to our community and the environment.
But most importantly, we’re still doing it... for you. For current and future generations of pioneers, rebels, and dreamers. For the beginners, the pros, and everyone in between. We believe music is an unstoppable force. It raises us up. Tells our truths. Gets us on our feet. Expresses our deepest heartaches. And our greatest joys.
So, we’ll continue to make the very best acoustic instruments and strings for as long as there are people like you who love music and love making it. We want to be there to help you tell your story. To help you share your music with the world. To help unleash the artist within.
We’re ready for the next two hundred years. Want to come with us? Visit martinguitar.com.