Hidden WWII Love Letters Inspired Tori Martin’s New Music Video, “Abilene”
“Abilene” is Tori Martin’s fast-rising and is the current #6 Texas Regional Radio Report single, and she is thrilled to have a ‘short film’ companion music video available now for her fans on her YouTube channel. The clip was co-directed by Jason Engelman and Director of Photography Justin Frech for LuckySky Music.
The video was filmed entirely in Abilene, Texas (the storybook capital of America) during a surprise February cold snap. Costumes are a key part of the visuals, as are the locations. Sites range from the charming Cedar Crest Cottage, inhabited by actors portraying both the 21 st century characters (Theresa Rowley, Ricco Fajardo) and the 1940s couple (Cheyenne Haynes, Blake Blair), to the iconic Larry’s Better Burger Drive In. The settings are authentic and aid in the timeline transitions. Also featured are the historic Paramount Theatre and Texas; Pacific Railroad Depot, both scenes of enormous emotional impact for the protagonists. Throughout is powerful performance footage of Martin, alone in a high wind on a deserted section of highway.
The story behind the video reads like a fairy tale. It all began when Tori (in real life) discovered love letters long hidden in a rental house. After reading them, Martin was inspired to tell their story.
“It really stuck with me. The sweetness of their love, the heartbreak of war, the gravity of loss and the sense of ‘belonging’ that you feel in a place.”
Not only does the short-film style music video capture Tori’s artistic side, but showcases her captivating storytelling and raw talent. The video beautifully captures the song's themes of love, loss, and belonging! Check out the video below and steam the sinlge everywhere now!
In 2022, Martin wrote the song with hitmakers Bill DiLuigi, Kirsti Manna and the song’s producer Bill Warner.
“I was on a radio tour, and I remember saying to them, ‘I can’t stay in Abilene because the wind makes me crazy,’ and from there the ideas started flowing.”
“Texas radio in particular has been really good to me,” says Tori.
She is nominated in the TRRR Awards “New Female Vocalist of the Year” category and will perform on the Awards show on March 24 in Arlington, TX.
In 2014, Renegade Radio Nashville named her one of the “New Faces of Country.” Martin competed on Season 14 of ABC TV’s American Idol but departed the show in the Hollywood round. Taking all her experiences and a big dose of courage, Tori moved to Nashville in 2017. It didn’t take long before the talented singer/songwriter found herself co-writing with some of the city’s most famous tunesmiths, and it’s a path that has felt blessed from the start.
