August 09, 2012, 5:45 pm by Alexandria Randolph

Resident musician john Arthur martinez is busy recording a song of inspiration featuring Leo Manzano, Granite Shoals’ Olympic silver medalist.

His new album, "You Play My Heart,” will include a track called Dare to Dream Out Loud, a song that he began writing in 2007. He said the song was inspired by Manzano’s participation in the NCAA Championships.

"I wrote (the song) just before the 2008 Olympic Games,” martinez said. "It was written from the perspective of Leo being an NCAA Champion.”

martinez started recording the song in a studio in northern Italy, where he was on tour. It wasn’t until earlier this year that the song neared completion.

"I was asked by a fan to play the song, and I couldn’t remember the chords or the lyrics. She (the fan) said, ‘You need to relearn that because (Leo) has requalified for the Olympics,’ and I’m glad she did...I’m finally completing a project that I started in 2007.”

Not only did martinez relearn the song, he also updated it and added a very special feature artist — Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts. Croft, currently living in Cypress Mill, has worked off and on with martinez. He said that the song initially drew his interest because of the rumor that Leo Manzano had shown up to a race his freshmen year at Marble Falls High School wearing the only footwear he had available- his work boots.

For the rest of the story, see Friday’s Highlander.

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