Alfonso Martin Jr.'s go-getter attitude has been a driving force in his life. He has never been intimidated by hard work and is always willing to except a challenge. His creative juices started to flow when he began singing in the church choir at the age of five in Brooklyn, New York. About that time, he also began performing in plays at PS 125 in Brooklyn and later at Marcus Jr. High School. In 1975, he moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina-his mother's hometown-and continued his career in the arts, which include modeling.His modeling career began in 1977. He was walking down the street in Winston-Salem, when his six-foot-two frame attracted a gentleman who asked if he had ever done any modeling. The gentleman was visiting from New York where he had produced fashion shows. Luckyfor Alfonso, he decided to produce a fashion show at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem. He came to the rehearsal and made the cut. His foray into modeling was established. Alfonso has modeled for companies such as Models in Motion and Capri Modeling Agency ofWinston-Salem, North Carolina, and Bonjour Modeling Agency of Houston, Texas. One of his most memorable modeling tours include his runway experience with Canadian Mist's "Misbehaving," Chicago, Illinois, in 1989. The exciting Misbehaving tour included Atlanta, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The next memorable experience was being a guest model for Ebony Fair, Lee Hall Auditorium, at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1982. Alfonso's willingness to act proved to be invaluable in 1984, when he was cast in a speaking role for a Coca-Cola commercial. The final challenge came when he was also cast as an extra in the movie, The Bedroom Window, starring Steve Gutenberg.His love for singing and appreciation for the beautiful sound of the human voice landed him one of his most accomplished roles, a backup singer for EJ and Company, featuring Monica Crosby, former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner in Miami, Florida, at The Jazz Room ofStudio 183. He has first-hand knowledge of the important role of backup singers and what a void there would be without them. This appreciation spawned his creation of The Backup Singers Award Show.
