Among his compositions are "Third Rock from the Sun" by Joe Diffie, "Just to See You Smile" by Tim McGraw, "You Look Good in My Shirt" by Keith Urban, and "No Place That Far" by Sara Evans.
Martin received a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1986.
When he first moved there, he worked as a correspondent for The Tennessean to help support himself and his wife Amethea.
Martin is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Among other callings in the LDS Church, he has served in the bishopric of a single members branch and as a seminary teacher.