Hello Everybody,

I'm just back from my trip down to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.  It was an amazing trip to say the least.  Memphis is where blues, soul and rock and roll got rollin'.  So much history in that town.  I got there last Sunday and started taking in the vibes.  Went to Sun Studios and got to stand where acts like Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis stood when they recorded their first hits.  The Stax Museum was full of chilling moments as I got to see the where soul music came to life.  And yes, even Graceland was more than I expected.  Wall after wall of gold and platinum records at the Presley Mansion.

The competition was whole other experience upon itself.  I haven't been in something like that for quite some time.  Pretty daunting to go up against 80 other acts from all over the world.  I was blow away to say the least to walk away with first place in the solo/duo category.  A huge thanks to all of you for so much support.  I was happy to be able to bring home the goods.

Now with all the fun behind me it's back to the grind.  I'm home for just a couple of nights and fly to the west coast on Wednesday to start a tour out there.  Then home for a few days before I head back out to play a couple of shows at the Olympics.  I'm really looking forward to those gigs.  It'll be cool to be a part of such a huge event.  

Once I'm done with the Olympics I'm back on the road in ON.  I've got a string of shows with special guest Wil.  www.ibreakstrings.com  I'm really looking forward to hitting the road with this guy.  I've got the dates posted on here, check them out and spread the word to any folks you think will be up for a night of tunes.  I've got some shows coming up on the West Coast with Wil again.  They will be posted up shortly.

That's taking me into the spring.  There will be lots more news to come.  The live DVD from the Phoenix that was recorded back in October will be released shortly.  Keep yer eyes and ears open for that.

Oh, another release that I am super stoked about is from my good friend Ross Neilsen.  He and his band the Sufferin' Bastards were in Memphis as well.  They had just finished recording their new album down in Mississippi.  I got to hear some of the tracks.  It's going to be a rocker.  I'm a huge fan of what Ross and the boys do.  This album really captures what they are all about.

That's the news for now.  I hope the new year is treating you all well.  It's been quite a ride for me so far.  Can't wait to see what will take place in 2010.

Take care all and I'll see you on the road,

Matt

Hello All,

I trust the holidays were good to everybody.

I'm just home from a fantastic tour with the Vinyl Cafe.  A real treat to hit the road with Stuart and his crew.

Bit of news incase you haven't heard.  In January I'm on my way to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.  www.blues.org/ibc  There will be musicians from all over the world at this thing. I'm really looking forward to it This will be my first time in Memphis. My good friends Ross Neilsen and the Sufferin' Bastards will be there as well.  We are being sent down by the good folks at The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.

As part of doing this Harvest is holding a fundraiser for the trip on January 13th at Dolan's Pub in Fredericton.  I'll be starting at 8pm, doing a couple of sets then handing the night off to the house band directed by Barry Hughes.  There will be lots of great tunes this night.

Tickets are $20.  You can get them online through www.ticketpro.ca, in person at the Festival office at 81 Regent Street or over the phone at  (506)454-2583.  You can also follow the links on the Harvest site at www.harvestjazzandblues.com.  A couple of the links say Jan. 16th, but the tickets are for the 13th.  C'mon down.  It's gonna be a ripper.

After Memphis I'll be hitting the road East to West in Canada.  Looking forward to getting across the Great White North again.

The very best to all of you in the New Year.

See you on the road,

Matt

Hi All,

The shows have been going fantastic with the Vinyl Cafe.  We are on our second night in Calgary tonight.  Snowing, but the show will go on.  I just picked up some new cowboy boots yesterday.  Doesn't look like I'll be getting to try them out today, not outside anyway.

We've had some great shows.  Peterborough, Vancouver and Victoria we're all a blast.  Great theatres to play in.

I'm still working on getting the link up for my new albums.  But until then you can order them from www.bustedflatrecords.com

Not much else is new. For the folks who've been asking about my upcoming shows on the west coast.  They will be posted shortly.  I'm just waiting to get through some more of the Vinyl shows.

I hope that winter isn't been to harsh on any of you.  I've got to say I'm quite happy that I packed my winter jacket.

See you on the road,

Matt

Hi Everybody,

I'm on my last night off before we hit the road in full swing with the Vinyl Cafe.  I'm on the show with Jill Barber and of course Stuart McLean.  I had an amazing time on the tour I did with Stuart this past spring.  I'm really looking forward to heading west with him.

Some cool news.  The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival has chosen myself and fellow rural New Brunswicker Ross Neilsen to go to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN this coming January.  It all happens right on Beale Street.  I can't wait to get the vibe in this place, all the history that has happened there.  You can find out more about the IBC at www.blues.org/ibc  I'm going to be doing a fundraiser for the trip at Dolans Pub in Fredericton, NB on January 13th.  C'mon down if yer in the area.

The shows I did with Mike Stevens releasing the new Piggyback album were a blast.  I'm realizing now that in all my running around I haven't put a link up on my site so you can get your hands on it, that is soon to be fixed.  For now if you're so inclined you can order one through  www.bustedflatrecords.com  Just click on the tab that says "shop".

Also.  I just in time recieved the finsihed CDs from the live recording at the Phoenix Theatre in Saint John.  I'll be getting a link up for that as well.  For those of you not in the know.  In October I did a show at the Phoenix Theatre in Saint John, NB.  The show was recorded for CD, and for a DVD.  The CD is all ready, the DVD will be coming in the new year.  The album is full of special guests, Irish Mythen, The Hupman Brothers, Ian Sherwood, Thom Swift and Mike Stevens.  It was a blast to make and I think that came through on the recording.

That pretty much brings me up to now.  I'll be on the road until December 23rd, so that means I'm spending my time off Christmas shopping where ever I am.  Doing all I can to avoid getting presents at the airport.

I hope the fall to winter transitions is being easy on everybody.

See you on the road,

Matt

Hi All,

I just had my first show tonight in the UK.  Great gig at the Charlotte Street Blues Bar in London.  Really cool club.

I'm really lookiing forward to the shows coming up.  It's always a good time on this side of the pond.

As soon as I land home I'm off again to take part of the Vinyl Cafe tour with Stuart Mclean.  I had a fantastic time when I did the tour on the East Coast this past spring.  I'm expecting the same this trip.

As to what I've been doing.  I've had some great shows with Mike Stevens relasing the new album "Piggyback".  I love playing with Mike. 

The live recording at the Phoenix in Saint John was amazing.  Thanks so much to everybody who was part of it, on and off the stage.

The CD from that recording is being pressed now.  The DVD will follow up shortly.  Also the Thick and Thin DVD with Ross Neilsen and the DVD I made with New Brunswick Youth Orchestra are on the way.

I'll be dropping some more notes as I head out on the road with the VC crew.

I hope the last days of spring are treating you all well.

See you on the road,

Matt