Matt Damon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Matt , it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’ve been chasing the dream of playing music for a living for a good while now. I have been pushing really hard since 2019. The music industry is a very tough place to be. Everyone is a critic, good or bad. There’s so much amazing talent just about everywhere you go that no one has ever heard of anywhere else. I have been very fortunate to be able to keep chasing this dream, and to play all the places I have played all over the country.
Although I have slowed down from time to time. I have been filled with doubt a lot, and sometimes it’s tough to believe in myself enough to keep pushing forward. I have tried to quit a few times, but something has always happened to get me back playing again. I also try to remember that even though the road ahead is endless, I try to look back and see all the miles I’ve already came to get to where I am today. Sometime around 2021 I realized just how much I love playing music, and how much it means to me. Since then, I’ve just decided to quit trying to quit.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I grew up in a small town in central Arkansas. Not long after I graduated I started traveling doing pipeline work. I’ve traveled most of the country since then spending most of my time in Oklahoma and Texas. Growing up, I listened to a good variety of music. Anything from AC/DC to Hank Jr. and Waylon, but I always loved the red dirt music and Texas country. Even way back then. It’s just something about a hot lead guitar with some rock and blues… it’s just good for the soul. As much as I always loved music, I didn’t pick up a guitar until I was 25 years old. I instantly fell in love trying to learn to play. After a couple of years, I played in my first bar, and boy was I hooked. At that point though, I never thought I’d even take it that far. I have always been one that will work extremely hard to get better at something I want to do, and even today, I am always pushing harder to get better. I have been very fortunate to meet some amazing musicians that have taken me in and taught me all they could. After time, I’ve really worked on developing my own sound. I throw some old school rock, and blues into my country music. In April I released my first single, Fire and Gasoline as well as my first Ep named My Kind Of Music.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My dad definitely taught me the most about work, and taking the time to do things right. To really take pride in your work. Everything you do your name is tied to, you better do the best you can if you want to get anywhere in life.
I was very fortunate to have the parents I have. My dad is a welder/mechanic by trade. The man can flat out do anything as good as or better than anyone you’ll ever meet. As time goes by and the more I travel and do in life, the more true that statement stands. Every day I’m thankful for all he has taught me in life.
It wasn’t just my dad though, my mom worked just as hard. She is a teacher and really loves helping kids learn.
Also, I have always looked up to my little brother. He always worked extremely hard and is very talented at anything he does as well. His wife now is the same way.
Of course I can’t forget my Papa. My grandfather is in his mid 70’s now and still in the log woods every morning before daylight. I am very thankful for the family I have and for being raised the way I was.
Also, I can’t leave out the Travis family in Oklahoma. They’ve taught me a lot about hard work and to keep going no matter what life throws at you.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There actually has been quite a few times I’ve almost gave up and called it quits. When I started out, I just loved playing the guitar. I never really sang much. I’ve actually struggled a lot with vocals. If it wasn’t for Jay Lemon and his vocal lessons, I would have never even gotten my songs recorded and put out. Some nights everything would fall together and I’d sing pretty decent.. then other nights, I couldn’t hit a single note on key. I’ve always felt the songs I play and I’ve always been able to put my feelings into it, but that wasn’t always a good thing. After a few times of basically calling it quits, busting vocals in the studio, and not believing in myself… something always happened to get me back going playing music. With that being said, I made a promise to myself to quit trying to quit. I finally finished my Ep rightfully named “My Kind Of Music” and got it released this April. Now, we are working on a 10 song full album and fully producing it from the ground up on every song to try and fine tune the sound I’ve found. It’s all Country, Rock, and Blues man.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
That is one thing that I really take pride in. I am without a doubt the same person no matter where I am at, or what I’m doing. I’m just a simple ol guy. It doesn’t matter if I’m Headlining a show in Dallas or Nashville, or playing at some dive bar in the middle of no where that no one has ever heard of… I’m the same person. I get up and put my boots on one at a time just like everyone else and go to work. I’m simply, just me
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in a couple of different situations. Mostly anytime I’m holding my guitar. You hand me my Gibson and point me to the stage and turn me loose. That’s where I’m the most at home. The second place I find peace is on any ol backroad. When life gets to me, I jump in my truck or my Jeep and just take off. It really clears my mind and takes the world off my shoulders when life gets hard and stressful. I just turn the radio up and take in all the scenery.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: @mattDamon-9
- Other: Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0lxsEPsAqLBdqxzzLlBdPQ?si=se-YgvmORtS9GcHoGrAL6A
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/album/a/1803958363?app=music&itscg=10002&itsct=mus_1803708951&ct=RTtdrgmoXa4Y4Ww&at=1010l367Y&ls=1
Image Credits
Producer: Dave Percefull
Producer: Casey Johns
Sound engineer: Collin Tucker
Guitar: Dillon Taylor
Bass: Casey Johns
Drums: Phil Hook
