Russ Martin

Russell Martin grew up in Pleasant Grove, Texas, a large working class neighborhood in southeast Dallas, where he graduated from Samuell High. He and the other show members frequently lampoon his working class roots as "white trash with money." Martin's radio career began in the 1980s at KGVL 1400 AM in Greenville, Texas, working 6 p.m. to midnight running the board for religious programs. A month later, his first on-air gig consisted of playing music for 30 minutes between shows.

In 1982 Martin was hired by KTLR 107.1 FM in Terrell, Texas to play country music on weekends. A year later in 1983 he was hired by KAAM 1310 AM in Dallas as a part-time weekend disc jockey. In 1986 Martin was hired for another part-time position by Satellite Music Network for an oldies format, and later worked part-time for Z-Rock where his on-air persona was "The Snake" while still working at KAAM and KAFM.

In 1987 Martin was hired for the 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. shift by top 40 station KEGL 97.1 FM, "The Eagle", in Dallas. He also hosted a talk show on Sunday nights at KEGL. He hosted the television shows Hot TV and Hot Tickets which ran from 1988 to 1994 on the local FOX affiliate KDFW. Martin's fame in Dallas skyrocketed following The Howard Stern radio show being taken off the air by KEGL's owner, the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, in 1997 when he was asked to fill the timeslot for the morning drive which he announced on his last Sunday Night Talk show. He was able to push his "replacement" Show to number one in the mornings, but never earned the respect of his managers. Eventually, Martin moved to do mornings at another Dallas radio station, KYNG 105.3FM, when they changed to the FM Talk format. He moved to his favorite time slot of afternoon drive after Stern's morning show was picked up by KYNG, and has remained a solid performer in that time slot since. Following the success of his show, Martin has stated emphatically that he will never return to morning radio, no matter how much money a radio station may offer him.

Known for his local charity work, Martin founded The Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation in 2002 which benefits the families of police officers and firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty and coordinates the annual Heroes Day Parade. In 2006 he formed "The Russ Martin Show Experience", a band made up of show regulars. The band performs cover songs at live venues to raise money for charity. Most often, the shows benefit The Russ Martin Show Listeners Foundation. He serves on the board of advisors at Operation Kindness, a no-kill animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas. Martin generally disdains being recognized for his humanitarian efforts, believing that no good deed goes unpunished.

Martin is well-known for his fascination with the 1960s television show character Batman as portrayed by Adam West, as well as his near obsession with James Garner. Martin also owns a collection of classic tv show cars such as the 1970's Batmobile and his replica of the Mach Five from the cartoon, Speed Racer. Martin is also a longtime friend of actor Russell Johnson, the professor from Gilligan's Island.

Until 2005, Martin was frequently ridiculed by friends and studio guests for his mullet which he had worn since the 1980s. Although hardly fashion conscious, Martin recently cut his hair as a concession to his fame and increased visibility.