Naomi Martin

American songwriter. Born: September 16, 1927 Alexandria, Virginia Died May 31, 2017 at 89 Nashville, Tennessee. Mother of country singer Lisa Daniel and songwriter Marty Yonts. Also, sister of country and gospel singer Paul Martin (8). Moved to Nashville in 1966 and within 2 years had 2 charted singles. Wrote for Cedarwood Publishing. "My Eyes Can Only See As far As You" by Charley Pride, which she co-wrote with Jimmy Payne, hit #1 country in March of 1976. "Let's Take the Long Way Around the World" by Ronnie Milsap, which she co-wrote with Archie Jordan, also hit #1 country in September of 1978 and was nominated for a Grammy. Naomi also charted in the country top 40 with her solo-compositions "Roses and Thorns" and "Things Go Better With Love", both by Jeannie C. Riley. She founded her own Naomi Martin Music Group, where she signed Blake Shelton to his first song-publishing contract. She helped Shelton to secure his first recording contract and served as executive producer on his earliest studio sessions.