Biography
Matt Walsh is a 30 year old singer, guitarist and song-writer based in North Carolina. He does around 200 plus shows a year and is currently creating a big buzz in the Blues World with his sophmore album 'Hard Luck' on Raw Tone Records. The CD was produced by and features Bob Margolin. From 1973-1980, Margolin played guitar in Chicago Blues legend, Muddy Waters band, touring worldwide and recording, and learning to play Muddy's powerful music directly from him.
'Hard Luck' is currently being played on over 160 Blues radio programs across the United States and abroad. A few Blues disc jockeys have even gone so far as to call 'Hard Luck' the best Blues album to date of 2007 ( see quotes ). 'Hard Luck' was just recently added to Blues Deluxe which syndicates to 100 plus radio stations along side Blues legends like Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Johnny Winter and even Bruce Springsteen who currently has a Roots music album out. Three tracks from the new album are also getting major airplay on Bluesville, XM 74 satelite radio, as "picks to click" and more recently, 'Hard Luck' is the second most requested album on Bill Wax's nationally syndicated show.
Matt's story begins with a love affair for music at the early age of six. When Matt turned 12 he heard the music of Muddy Waters via an uncle, and fell in love with the music. Around this time Matt bought a $25 guitar at a flea market and began looking for albums by other legendary Blues artists. When he was 19, Matt began playing music in front of audiences and a few years later he became a full-time professional musician.
Since then his wailing, singing, distorted guitar tone and raw, soulful vocals have stunned music critics and fans, who all agree that his stripped down Blues approach is authentic and real . This is not the glossy over-produced Rock-Blues sound that is all too familiar in today's Blues world.
Matt's primary sound is rooted in the old school south side Chicago Blues sound of the 1950's with detours into Rockabilly, Jump Blues, Swing and 50's Rock genres as well. Influenced by musicians such as Robert Nighthawk, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Lockwood Jr., T-Bone Walker, Willie Johnson, Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Johnny Guitar Watson, Matt has dedicated himself to the Blues. Matt also sites early rockers like Little Richard, Link Wray, Johnny Burnett and Carl Perkins for influence as well.
Since his humble beginnings at 19, Matt Walsh has either opened for, shared bills or performed with Blues musicians like Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill, Big Bill Morganfield, Delbert McClinton, Kenny Neal, Tinsley Ellis, Little Ed and the Blues Imperials, Corey Harris, Sweet Betty, Jimmy D. Lane and the list just goes on.
When Matt was 21, he beat out 12 full bands ( some with horn sections ) in a Tulsa Oklahoma Blues contest, performing solo with an acoustic guitar. He went on to compete in Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.
Matt Walsh has developed into a solid Bluesman and high-energy performer worthy of the attention he's gained through honest, from the gutt performances. Matt's determination to carry the Blues into the future with originality and soul, makes him one of the best choices for an awesome, low-down, true Blues experience.
" Matt Walsh...Soulful playing, great vocals...It's great to hear young musicians playing in the tradition. That's the only way the Blues will stay alive "
- Paul Oscher ( Blues harmonica master and former harmonica player for Muddy Waters band speaking of Matt's 1st CD 'Goin' Back South' )
Instrumentation
South Eastern shows feature :
Matt Walsh - lead vocals, guitar
Matt Hill - vocals, bass, lapsteel and guitar
Chuck Cotton - vocals, drums
Mid-West shows feature :
Matt Walsh - lead vocals, guitar
Jesse Major - vocals, upright bass
Kyle Couch - drums
Discography
Goin' Back South - 2003 Independent
Hard Luck - 2007 Raw Tone Records
Links
| http://www.mattwalshblues.com |