Condolences: Scott “Forrest” Martin
• The creative community has lost one of its most inspiring and loved creators as we learned that Scott “Forrest” Martin has succumbed to liver cancer at the far-too-young age of 45. Martin was originally diagnosed on Sept 29, and underwent two rounds of chemo, sadly, to no avail. He had been at his home in Nashville under hospice care, accompanied by his parents until he passed away at 2:15am ET on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Martin was born in Springfield, MO, and began his radio career there before venturing out into the world, making stops in Columbus, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles and most recently, Nashville. He was working at Clear Channel’s Creative Services Group in Atlanta for Clear Channel when Kelly Doherty and John Ivey first brought him to out to KIIS-FM/Los Angeles. From there he went on to Apple Music as lead Imaging Director. Ivey recalls, “The first time I met Forrest he was in a dark studio throwing different weights of meat against a wall to achieve a sound effect. I had to hire him. God bless him and his family.”
VO pro Kelly “K3” Doherty, former iHeartMedia VP of Imaging (pictured here with Forrest), commented, “When we brought Forrest to KIIS, I took him to meet Ryan Seacrest. The first thing Forrest does? Pulls out his phone, shows Ryan a picture of his car parked in Ryan’s spot and says, ‘Thanks for the parking spot!’ Forrest was one-of-a-kind, a soulmate, a best friend, a mentor and one of the funniest and loving people I’ve ever met. I can’t fathom a world without him. I love you Forrest, ‘you filthy animal.'”
John Frost, Producer, Frostbytes radio imaging said, “Forrest was the most supportive and talented Prod God I can name. It seemed like everyone was one of his friends, and I count him as one of my best. His enthusiasm to help you out of your most recent DAW crash was only rivaled by his dedication to craft. If you didn’t get to know him, know he was a creator. A supporter. A collaborator. And if you knew him, you already know the loss we experienced today. I hurt. I can only hope he continues to visit me. Ironically, just like his FaceTime calls, he has now disconnected. Before I had the chance to say goodbye. I miss you buddy. Thank you for everything.”
Martin is survived by his parents, Heidi and Tom Martin, and hundreds of friends around the world. Forrest didn’t want a funeral — but there will be Celebration of Life events soon TBA. Kelly Doherty’s Facebook page in particular is loaded up with tributes to Forrest.
