WOW. What a night!

On June 9, 2026, we debuted the premier event, Art of the Chat featuring Gregg Martin. Attendance exceeded expectations. To say we were thrilled to see a packed room filled with creatives, area businesses, nonprofit organizations and community members who care deeply about the arts is an understatement. The excitement, energy, engagement, and enthusiasm in the room can only be described as electrifying. One thing became very clear, very quickly, we will need a bigger room next time!

A special thank you to musician Gregg Martin, musician, drummer and teacher for sharing his experiences, lessons, and insights from an incredible 52-year career in the music industry. Raw, real and informative, this conversation was without setlists, spotlights, or filters. This night was for anyone who has ever created something, chased something, lost something, or loved something enough to keep going even when it made zero sense. Many attendees commented about how eye-opening it was to hear about the incredible number of venues and opportunities musicians once had in our region, and how much that landscape has changed over the years. 

Wait, that's not all. The conversations didn’t end when the event did. New ideas were shared, new connections were made, and new possibilities emerged. That’s exactly what Art of the Chat was designed to do, create connections that lead to action. Art of the Chat became more than an event. It was the beginning of a conversation about where the arts community is today, and where we can go together. In a world where everybody is staring at screens all day, 

The future looks bright, and we’re just getting started. See you next time!

Huge thank to our sponsors: Peanut Galleries Photography and Evansville Photography Studio (Dawn Greenwald), 22 Tango Health and Alternative Wellness (Kristina Bellew), Goebel Commercial Realty (Brittany Russell), Media Irene (Irene Jaskey), Wild Women of Justice Networking Group (Leigh Perry), and a special shout out to Nellie’s North for providing the venue. 

About Our Speaker:

Gregg Martin earned his Performance Diploma from Berklee College of Music and has dedicated 44 years to teaching percussion through private instruction, Evansville Public High Schools and Boonville High School.

As a professional drummer and musician for 52 years, Gregg has performed alongside an impressive roster of legendary entertainers, including Liza Minnelli, Marie Osmond, Frankie Avalon, Connie Stevens, The Drifters, Red Skelton, The Shirelles, Del Shannon, Sam Moore, Little Anthony, Suzanne Somers, Tommy Roe, The Crystals, and The Marvelettes. His career has taken him across 22 states and the Bahama Islands.

Closer to home, he has performed with the Doc Stocker Band, The Keys, Executive Show Room Band, SIBECO, Blues 4U, and the Indianapolis, Evansville and Owensboro Symphonic Orchestras.

Today, Gregg continues to perform with several groups, including The Back Beats (A Beatles Tribute Band), After Hours (Jazz), Steve Greenwell Trio and others. 

Gregg Martin has also published three drum books, Drumming Technique Handbook, Timekeeping and Fills, and Drumming in Style.