Tori Martin’s latest single, “Abilene,” has been making waves on the Texas Regional Radio Report, currently sitting at #6 and continuing to climb. The song, which takes a unique storytelling approach, stands out in Martin’s catalog.
“Abilene is kinda unique. It’s a story song. I don’t have a lot of songs that are like that,” Martin shared. “The majority of my songs are inspired by my life or something I’ve gone through. The song isn’t just about the city. I think some people see the title and they’re like, ‘Oh! It’s about the city Abilene!’ And it’s not. I always say… It’s a feeling. We all kinda have our own ‘Abilene’—an experience that had heartbreak, where you just couldn’t move on from it. ‘I gotta leave this place just so I can take the next step forward.’”
A Song Inspired During a Road Trip
The idea for “Abilene” came unexpectedly while Martin was on a radio tour, driving through Texas with her producer and co-writers. “We were in the car, headed to Abilene, and I said something like, ‘Oh man, I can’t stand Abilene ‘cause the wind makes me crazy,’” she recalled with a laugh.
The comment, initially about bad hair days, quickly sparked inspiration among the songwriters in the car. That night, at their Airbnb, they turned the passing remark into a full-fledged song. “It happens all the time. I’ll say something around songwriters, and they just have to write it,” she explained. “It seems like some sort of unwritten rule that they reserve the song for the person that drove the inspiration.”
This organic approach to songwriting is something Martin embraces. “There’s always something to be inspired by, even if it’s small. You just gotta take it in, every day.”
Bringing “Abilene” to Life on Screen
To complement the song’s emotional depth, Martin was heavily involved in creating the upcoming “Abilene” music video, which was shot on location in Abilene, Texas. The filming experience came with unexpected challenges—but ones that ultimately worked in their favor.
“A huge cold front came through, and it was misty. It totally played into the vibe we were going for—dreary, sad,” she shared. The weather even added a romantic element to the video’s storytelling. “This is perfect, we’re just gonna suffer and make it work,” she joked.
Unlike typical performance videos, this one features a full storyline with actors, hand-picked by Martin herself. She also took a hands-on role in styling the video, sourcing vintage clothing and costumes to create an authentic aesthetic. “I found a 1940s bungalow on Airbnb that had a throwback vibe,” she said, ensuring every detail reflected the song’s essence.
Watch “Abilene” Now
A Career on the Rise
Martin is no stranger to Texas radio success. Her previous single, “Lost In The Country,” became a #1 hit, marking a milestone in her career. She was on tour with Drew Baldridge when she got the news. “We were playing a show in Detroit, and I got this extra boost of energy when I heard,” she said. Her bandmates even surprised her with a celebratory cake.
“We did it! My team—I did not do it alone.”
More to Come
With “Abilene” climbing the charts and a brand new music video out, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Martin. She continues to balance her time between Fort Worth and Nashville, drawing on her deep-rooted country influences and ever-growing fan base.
Be sure to follow Tori Martin’s journey as she brings her modern traditional sound to country music fans everywhere.
