Don’t Shoot! I’m the Guitar Man

Buzzy Martin’s acclaimed book about San Quentin Prison, a city of lost souls.

Don’t Shoot! I’m the Guitar Man is a personal story. Related with the author’s unique style and subtle humor, it gives the average person an “inside look” at prison and the inner workings of a music program in San Quentin State Prison.

Click Here: Amazon Purchase Link

Praise for Don’t Shoot! I’m the Guitar Man

“Buzzy’s book captures the mood and specter of the novitiate’s introduction to the world inside prison walls. What he finds, learns, and shares is the common humanity that still exists in spite of it all. As one who has spent his career in the criminal justice system, I can vouch for its authenticity and also the novel journey it took me on.”

– Elliot Daum, Superior Court Judge

“My two trips to San Quentin State Prison for parole hearings did not allow me to obtain nearly the depth of knowledge your repeated trips inside the facility afforded you. It did, however, provide me enough information to know that your book reveals the truth about life inside the Q. Your stark description of prison life, and the impact on prisoners’ lives, is chilling in its honesty.”

– Jeff Weaver, Chief of Police

“DON’T SHOOT! I’m the Guitar Man” is a stunning portrayal of every day life in the Big Q. Buzzy Martin’s search for meaning is revealed with his work through music. Buzzy’s book depicts a not so glamorous account of a city of lost souls. The only glimpse of hope from the hours of being like caged animals are the two hours these inmates spend strumming the guitar and singing at the top of their lungs with Buzzy. For a close up view to a dead end street, young “Juvenile Hall Gang Bangers” might read this powerful book about life in San Quentin Prison. Having worked with juvenile offenders for over twenty-nine years, I believe these true-life stories grab the attention of the reader immediately and illustrate the shocking reality of young inmates in a prison culture who are preyed upon and changed for life.”

– Matthew R. Fenske, Assistant Superintendent
Kent County Juvenile Detention Facility

“It was with great interest that I read, “Don’t Shoot, I’m The Guitar Man” by Buzzy Martin. His book immediately captured my attention and held it to the last page. His writing is vivid and descriptive, creating a vision of life within San Quentin Prison that still haunts me to this day. I was especially touched by his message to young people in trouble that they should not fall into the trap of believing being sentenced to San Quentin is somehow a badge of honor. It is a brutal place where all honor is destroyed and everyone falls victim to the lowest depths of degradation. I hope those who read his book would come to understand how severe the penalties of incarceration truly are, and anyone who believes living in the “Q” is acceptable will quickly change their minds.”

– Robert Tavonatti Principal, Court School and Juvenile Hall

“While I have toured San Quentin on several occasions, Martin’s daily reports in “Don’t Shoot I’m The Guitar Man” bring to light aspects of prison life of which he makes us more aware. I have spent much of my career working with incarcerated juveniles and share Buzzy’s wish that those youth at risk of adult criminality get an accurate picture of what may lie ahead. Prison life is not what delinquent youth may think it is and Martin is more that “the guitar man”. He is the right messenger for those of us who should be listening.”

– Robert G. Gillen, Chief Probation Officer Retired

“After twenty-seven years of working in San Quentin a person finds that there is no longer the perspective or view that you offer in your piece. I want to thank you for pulling a string, and finding a note in me that I thought was busted and had long gone dead.”

– Len Carl, Correctional Officer Retired