In 1991 Danny, the 2nd son to Martin and Noelle was born.  About the only way a touring musician gets to see his kids, is to have them on the road. So when does one sleep? (and Martin in this pic definately does look like he's had enough!)

In 1992 Martin was a father again to a third son, Christopher.   Martin had time to think between tours what direction he would like to go in his life in order to make him totally fullfilled.  Since he was away so much, his little family which was growing vary rarely saw him.  Tours would be 9 or 10 months of the year with a day or two at home between shows he was missing so much of what he was working for. It was  when he had some time off from touring he saw the opportunity to change direction in his life, thereby leaving The Drifters.   Something a bit closer to home, afterall by this time he had ....seen it....done it.....and got the tour jacket! He began to write tutiorals of his own methods.... Stix was to become a reality.  He and his wife, Noelle would become partners and together they formed Stix School in January 1993.

Christopher and Danny thought that was a great idea!

All well and good, but only cowboys and part timers seem to work from their home when it comes to an instrument that can be so loud, so the search was on for commericial premises where noise was not a factor.  At long last after several rejects ....      

          
Stix School of Rhythm  officially celebrated it's opening in Luton, Bedfordshire with Gary Husband of Level 42 to help cut the ribbon.  With the support of many it once again was a new beginning.  Unfortunately, Martin's father who was drummer for the Queen passed away of cancer that month and couldn't see his legacy live on.

Happy days though, as it was within the year of losing his father Martin became a father again, his fourth son, Nathan.

Perhaps he had the idea of forming his own drumline!

©stix school 2009