Fun DMC is made up of a diverse group of musicians who cover a wide array of artists. The remarkable thing about this band is that you can take five different personalities with five very different musical backgrounds and channel that energy into a single idea. On stage we are one unit, bringing you the best in mashups and medleys. However, each member still retains their individual personalities and influences and that often surfaces during each performance. With that said, this is the second installment of Fun DMC: A Musical Journey.

Paige Martin – Vocals

I got my start with music early in elementary music class & I continued to be a part of school choir all the way through high school, but it was never something that took first priority. I was heavily involved with the Springfield Ballet Company and so music was always second to that. I never got involved in school musicals or community-theater because I was just too busy with my dance schedule. That all changed the summer before my senior year of HS when I was invited to be a part of a prestigious a cappella group, The Lincoln Troubadours, and perform at various historic sites in Springfield. I was chosen as the soprano 2 for the group and it gave me a huge confidence boost in my musical abilities.

After my 2nd summer with The Troubadours, I went away to SLU and knew that I wanted to pursue a collegiate a cappella group. I auditioned and made the all-female a cappella group at SLU, Beyond All Reason, and it was easily the best part of my 4 years at SLU. Yes, it was like “real- life” Pitch Perfect & ICCA is a real competition that my group has actually competed in!

Throughout this time, I also began to lead worship at my church, Central Baptist, when I was home in Springfield, and music quickly became my “thing.” Somewhere along the way I was invited to sing back up vocals with a local country cover band, which I absolutely loved and not too long after, I was asked to cover female vocals for a NYE show with Fun DMC, which was an easy decision. After that show in January 2014, I performed with them a couple more times that summer and was eventually asked to fill the position full-time when their previous lead singer stepped down. It’s been an amazing 2½ years and I couldn’t be happier to have these guys as my friends and Fun DMC family!

My early musical influences would definitely be the ladies of country music… Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks, Miranda Lambert, Faith Hill, etc. Another favorite artist is Sara Bareilles, she’s my go-to girl when I need a powerful song, both lyrics & vocals… she gives me all of the feels! I will listen to almost anything nowadays, with the exception of punk rock/heavy metal (sorry Talon), but I can find something good in almost any song I hear! I feel like my musical tastes have definitely expanded with Fun DMC & it’s definitely taught me a lot about myself as a vocalist & a performer. I am so lucky that I get to go out and make music with Fun DMC every weekend and bring new mashups and medleys to the people of Central Illinois!