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Local roots artist Samantha Martin can take credit for adapting a poem by historian Neil Ross and turning it into a "train song," which will serve as the Junction Arts Festival's theme song.

"It's really awesome, it turned out really great," said Martin in an interview Tuesday.

Invited to an open jam at Axis Gallery and Grill, Martin fell in love with the neighbourhood. She came to Toronto to pursue her music more seriously and has lived in the Junction for the past three years. Born in Edmonton, she grew up in rural Ontario, in Lion's Head, north of Owen Sound.

"It reminded me of home, it made me feel less homesick," she said. "Lots of the buildings are similar in architecture."

The Junction's close proximity to downtown with its small-town feel was just what she was looking for and the move has paid off. Martin recorded her first CD in April called Back Home and two months ago was approached to be a part of the Junction's Centennial celebrations. Not only did she co-write the festival's theme song, but she has been tapped to play historical character Dr. Minerva Reid as part of the Boom Times Cabaret, Heart of the Junction Talk Show at Historic City (at High Park Avenue and Dundas Street West) during the festival, Sept. 6 and 7.

"Neil put me up to it," she said.

Ross could barely contain his excitement as he listened to Martin's song the morning after it was recorded. He calls Martin "an extraordinary country blues singer/songwriter." The song came together in about four hours, Martin said. She had already been working on a piece of instrumental music. It's reminiscent of an old country tune by Johnny Cash or Hank Williams.

"The idea was already there. I adapted that piece of music to the words. It came together quickly," she said.

Songwriting is nothing new for Martin. She's been writing since she was 14 and penned all the songs on her new CD.

"A train song came easily to me. My dad was a big country guy and taught me how to play guitar. His style rubbed off on me," Martin said.

She calls herself a roots singer because it encompasses so much: blues, soul, reggae, doo-wop.

"If I say roots, I don't get pigeonholed."

Samantha Martin and the Haggard play Friday, Sept. 5 on the main stage at Pacific and Dundas at the Junction Arts Festival at 8 p.m.

Visit www.samanthamartin.ca