Today we’d like to introduce you to Sergio Martinez.
Hi Sergio, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My Name is Sergio Rafael Martinez Torres I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, a place where music isn’t just part of life, it is life. The streets, the people, the ocean breeze, everything carries a rhythm. I grew up surrounded by that energy, playing bass, drums, and guitar with rock bands, and later percussion and piano with salsa and merengue groups. Each experience taught me something different about sound and feeling.
Throughout my childhood, my parents guided my brother, my sister and me to work hard, aim high, and build a stable career. They wanted us to excel, and I’m grateful for that. Back then, music felt like a dream that was almost impossible to reach, but I couldn’t ignore it. So, I decided to do both: go to college, build a career here, earn my degree, and keep music alive in me until the time came to create my own production.
That’s when I decided to join the U.S. Air Force. It gave me the chance to go back to college, grow as a person, and give my family more opportunities in life. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.
When I joined the U.S. Air Force, music never left my side. I served 20 years as a Weapons Troop, traveling around the world, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, Europe, and learning from every culture I encountered. During my service, I worked with different artists and production studios on the side, when I could, to gain experience and stay connected to the art. Every deployment, every situation, and every troop I served with was an honor. I’m deeply grateful to have made it home and to be able to retire, knowing that some of us never got that chance. Those experiences changed me, they taught me discipline, perspective, and the importance of creating something that means something.
After retiring, I took a few months to transition into civilian life, if anyone truly ever does transition completely. Eventually, I started a new career in technology, which has been an incredible experience. A few years later, after settling in San Antonio, my best friend Orlando Jimenez (an amazing guitar player) and his wife Leslie Serrano (a phenomenal singer) came to visit from Puerto Rico.
Orlando and I go way back. When we were kids, we used to play together with a small mixer and two cassette decks, routing channels and recording our songs the best way we knew how. It’s been a long journey of both of us learning, failing, growing, and getting ready for this moment now, without even realizing it.
Along with Alysia, my wife, they’re the ones who pushed me to get back into music. That encouragement reignited everything.
That’s how SirGPR Production Studio was born, a space that brings together everything I’ve learned: the discipline from the military, the soul of Puerto Rico, and the creativity from my travels and education. My mission is to create clean, meaningful music with purpose, songs that tell real stories and spread messages of reflection, love, and unity. Every project is a chance to connect people through rhythm, emotion, and truth.
Behind that vision stands my wife, Alysia Martinez. She’s the heart of the visual side of what we do. Alysia brings our songs to life through her creative direction and video production, transforming every lyric into a story you can see and feel. Together, we aim to create experiences that reach beyond sound, art that touches the heart. We both have full careers outside of this, but SirGPR is our shared purpose, our way of inspiring others, representing our roots, and reminding people that kindness and connection still matter.
In life, we all watch shows and movies that tell stories we love to see and hear. The actors, directors, and everyone involved in that art form do an incredible job of bringing emotions to life, and we have deep respect for all of them. What we do is much smaller, just a humble production, but it comes from the heart. Through our music and visuals, we try to share our real stories, the moments we live every day, the struggles, the happiness, and everything in between. Alysia has a beautiful gift for capturing emotion visually. The way she listens to the rhythm, connects to the lyrics, and turns them into feeling through her videos is something truly special.
We actually met in Okinawa, Japan. I was stationed there, and she was living there with her parents while going to college, who were also stationed on the island. Our connection began through a shared love for diving, exploring the crystal waters of Okinawa together. Alysia became a certified rescue diver, and I went on to become a technical diver. Diving became part of our story, and it’s actually how I proposed to her. We even have videos of those moments on our YouTube channel @SirGPR2025. She supported me through my military career, and now, with music, she’s done more than support, she’s joined me in the creative journey.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our story. We’re grateful to still be creating, learning, and connecting through art and music. Life moves fast, and none of us know how much time we have, but what gives it meaning is what we share, love, unity, and creativity. Music and art have a way of reminding us that we’re all connected, no matter where we come from.
For us, SirGPR isn’t just about producing songs or videos. It’s about bringing people together, inspiring others to express themselves, and keeping the spirit of kindness alive through sound and storytelling.
All our music is available on the major streaming platforms — Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, and more — and you can find every link on our website at www.sirgpr.com.
If you want to experience the visual side of our work, check out our videos on our YouTube channel @SirGPR2025. Alysia puts her heart into every frame, and her storytelling brings the music to life in a way we’re really proud of.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything. Transitioning from military life to civilian life is a challenge in and of itself. You go from a structured environment where every detail is defined to a world where you have to build your own rhythm again. Learning to slow down and find purpose outside of the uniform takes time.
When I started working on music again, the biggest challenge was balance, managing a full-time career in technology, family life, and the creative process. There were moments when I questioned if I could do it all. But every late night in the studio reminded me why I started, because music gives meaning, not pressure.
Another challenge was confidence. I had to remind myself that creating isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection. It took patience to rebuild my sound, learn new tools, and adapt to the modern side of music production. Each struggle made me stronger. We learn from what we do right, but even more from what we do wrong.
For years, I focused on vocals while still being an all-around musician. I learned a lot from singing background vocals and playing small percussion, bass, and whatever the band needed. Every one of those roles taught me something different about sound and emotion. Over time, I kept training, refining my vocal chain, and learning how to shape sound properly, from the tone of each instrument to the feeling behind every note. Every word and melody carries energy, and when it’s aligned with truth, it reaches people. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, or anger, music lets us express what it means to be human.
What truly helped was having people who believed in me, my wife Alysia, my daughter Teah, my sons Ethan and Nathan, my best friends Orlando and Leslie, my military brothers and sisters, and my family. My mother has always guided me in the right direction while still supporting my dreams, and that means everything. I’m also deeply grateful to my in-laws, Darlene Robinson and Retired Colonel Raymond Robinson, for their love, support, and encouragement through every stage of my life. Every person who’s crossed my path, whether in music, the military, or life itself, has taught me something or helped me grow in some way. I’m thankful to all of them. None of this happens alone, and I carry a piece of every lesson and every person with me in everything I create.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Well, I’ve done a lot in my life, and every chapter has taught me something important. My military career was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
One of the things I’m most proud of is my family, my wife, my daughter, my sons, my parents, and all the people who’ve stood beside me throughout my journey. Their love and support have grounded me and kept me focused, no matter how far life has taken me.
During my Air Force career, one of the highest honors I received was the Air Force Leo Marquez Award, which recognizes excellence in aircraft maintenance and leadership across the entire Air Force. It’s not just about technical skill; it’s about integrity, mentorship, and the impact you have on the people you serve with. That award reminded me that success is never achieved alone.
It happened because I had great mentors, especially Jerry Laney and Gary Hagins. They weren’t just mentors, they were friends and leaders I truly looked up to. Jerry was humble, smart, and always respectful. Gary had a way of pushing you with confidence and belief, even on the days you doubted yourself. Together, they guided me at key moments in my career, helping me exceed my own expectations and become the best version of myself. Their impact shaped the way I lead, create, and approach everything I do now.
Today, I pour that same mindset into my creative work. I focus on vocals and music production, trying to find the balance between emotion and clarity. I use my voice not just to sing, but to express what words alone can’t say. Every song has to feel honest and real.
When I write, I give every part of the music a purpose. I compose each instrument to carry emotion, choose the right sounds, blends, and genres to match the story, and make sure the lyrics speak from experience. I also pull from my years in Puerto Rico singing lead vocals in merengue, salsa, and bachata bands, those early experiences on stage taught me confidence and helped me understand how to connect with people. They’re a big part of why I had the courage to record my own voice. It’s still a challenge, but it feels real, and that’s what keeps me moving forward.
Soon, I’ll be collaborating with a female vocalist, who’ll be joining some of my future songs. I’ll be helping her produce her first album too, but that’s still a little secret for now.
I don’t believe that anything sets me apart from others. We must all have the courage to create something from the heart, and it will always be enough. We’re all part of the same world of sound; musicians, lyricists, and producers trying to capture emotion and meaning. What makes me proud, is when a song I create, helps someone feel something real. That’s what music is for; to connect us, help us heal, and remind us we’re not alone.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a big family where gathering was a way of life. We were always at my Abuelita’s house on my mother’s side, having coffee, breakfast, lunch, or just spending time together. That sense of family and connection shaped everything about who I am.
My Abuelita on my dad’s side lived in the mountains of Puerto Rico. I can still feel that cool mountain air and smell the fresh bread from the panadería down the road. She would walk with me there so I could pick my favorite pastries, then cook ham just the way I liked it and make sure I never left hungry. Those simple moments are some of my best memories.
My parents guided us on the right path but always respected our choices. They taught us to work hard, stay humble, and follow what truly moves us. I was a little shy growing up. I was also really into sports, especially windsurfing, volleyball and baseball throughout my high school years, but even then, music was always with me. No matter where I was, I’d catch myself tapping pencils on a desk or drumming on anything I could find, turning the sounds of everyday life into rhythm. If someone walked down the hallway, I’d listen to the pattern of their footsteps and turn it into a beat.
I’ve always loved making music out of whatever I could find. Back in Okinawa, I remember it like it was yesterday. It was midnight, the flight line was quiet, and I was troubleshooting an F-15. We were waiting on parts, so I picked up a couple of screwdrivers and started tapping them against a wrench, creating sounds like a xylophone. A few minutes later, one of my crew members, Josean Arce, grabbed a mallet and began hitting the toolbox, making it sound like a bass drum. The rhythm echoed through the hangar, and for a moment, it felt like peace, a reminder of why we were there, what we were doing, and how music connects us no matter where we are.
Music has always been part of me, something that existed before I even understood it. I grew up with vinyls records, cassette tapes, then CDs, and now digital music, but I still miss vinyl and CDs sometimes. They felt real, like holding a piece of the music in your hands. Looking back, I think I was always consumed by music. It’s how I’ve seen the world, one rhythm at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sirgpr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergio.martinezmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SergioMartinezmusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katjausaf/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SirGPR2025
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@SirGPR2025
