By Naomi Richard

Austin landmark, William “Bill The Mailman” Martin won the highly coveted REACH Award as a Trailblazer Announcer in Nashville, Tennessee!  During a packed house ceremony, Mr. Martin was named Central South Distribution Company’s REACH Award Recipient at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center during the Stellar Awards’ Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase.

Names were submitted from around the world for this prestigious award.  Through an extensive review and screening process, Mr. Martin became part of the final pool of recipients!  “Being a part of the final process was quite an honor.  I’ve been on the radio for over 30 years and I still love what I do,” commented Mr. Martin.

Mr. Martin was born in Asheville, North Carolina.  After graduating from Stephens Lee High School, he moved to New York City to further his studies.  He was a music lover and played tenor saxophone.  Pursuing a music career, he was accepted into the Julliard School of Music. Although elated over the opportunity to attend Julliard, Bill made a last minute decision to join the U.S. Air Force instead. He was later assigned to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.  There, he would meet the love of his life, Evelyn “Tutter” Franklin, who passed away in 2005 after 50 years of marriage.

While in Austin, Texas, Mr. Martin worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 31 years, thus given the name, “Bill the Mailman!”

Mr. Martin has been on the radio for 32 years.  He is on air from 5:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m., every Sunday on KLGO-The Word-1490AM.  He joined the Gospel Music Workshop of America Announcers’ Guild in 1980.  His most recent recognition was receiving Announcer of the Year at the 2012 Gospel Music Workshop of America.  He was the recipient of the only award given during the 2012 Announcers Guild session, which was presented by President Al “The Bishop” Hobbs.”

Mr. Martin founded the Texas Gospel Announcers Guild (TGAG) in 1989 with 9 members.  To date, TGAG has over 100 members representing over 25 radio stations throughout the state of Texas.   He has served as President of TGAG since the inception.

He is also a faithful member of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, pastored by Dr. B.W. McClendon.