- Matt Kennon's - Courtesy of BamaJam Records
Although Matt Kennon grew up soaking in his fair share of rock music, when it came time to carve his own musical niche, the Georgia native beat a path to Nashville—not L.A. or the Big Apple—in the name of country’s call.
By his own recollection, music has been a part of Kennon’s life for as long as he can remember, from his first live-concert experience featuring rock act Survivor, to playing drums in his living room as a kid and performing with his high school’s jazz band and at church.
Georgia Musician Finds His His Home with Country Radio
Somewhere along the way, though, Kennon—thanks to his mom’s affinity for music by the likes of Randy Travis and Lee Greenwood, among others—began to soak in the country sounds, and when fellow Georgian Travis Tritt, with his decidedly rockin’-country sound, hit the scene, Kennon took note.
“I remember being home sick from school one day listening to my clock radio, and I heard Travis Tritt’s I’m Gonna Be Somebody come on and then Alan Jackson ’s Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” Kennon says in his artist bio. “That’s when I really felt that country music was cool and might be the road I needed to travel down.”
Debut Single Hits Billboard Country Chart's Top 40
These days, the singer-songwriter is celebrating his first Billboard Top-40 single as a solo country artist, The Call, and gearing for the March 9, 2010, release of a digital three-song EP that will be followed by the April 27, 2010, release of his self-titled CD on the BamaJam label.
Prior to his success as a solo artist, Kennon captured the attention of those on Music Row with his songwriting after penning Turn It Around, a tune that was recorded by traditionalist Randy Travis on his 2009 Around the Bend CD. Most recently, however, The Call has garnered Kennon his own artist fan base and the attention of country radio.
Still climbing the charts at this writing, The Call boasts a compelling message of hope in the sometimes-dark days of human life; namely, its call to never quit because better times are often only a heartbeat away. The single, produced by industry veteran and label chief James Stroud, reveals Kennon to be not only a tunesmith with depth, but also a genuine, albeit “rough around the edges” interpreter of human emotion.
Country Singer's First Hit Song Boasts Authenticity
For those who abhor the overproduced and too-polished pop sound that Nashville is sometimes keen on manufacturing, The Call won’t disappoint. Not unlike the tried ‘n’ true vocal sounds of, say, Gary Allan or Jamey Johnson, Kennon delivers music that is distinctively his own, sometimes smoky-sounding and oftentimes raw, but always authentic.
Indeed, Kennon’s whiskey-laced vocals aren’t the cookie-cutter prototype that blend in on the somewhat-generic soundscape of popular music, but therein lies much of this Southern son's appeal. Coupled with his knack for insightful songsmithing, Kennon’s clearly a country newcomer who’s got something to say in a voice that’s far from the traditional fodder.
“I’ve known people who have committed suicide and I knew girls that had abortions,” Kennon says in his artist bio, referring to his current hit's lyrical message. “We’re not going to bring anybody back with this song, but hopefully we can save lives. A lot of people are longing to talk and to be heard.”
Matt Kennon's Songwriting Impacts Country Fans
As for his forthcoming CD, the brunet musician—who describes himself as a walking, talking example of “the prodigal son,” says his record-label powers allowed him to remain true to himself and create a project that resonates with authenticity.
“It’s country, but it’s got a hint of rock ‘n’ roll mixed in,” observes Kennon, 32, of his forthcoming, self-dubbed album. “It’s just good American music.
“I want to touch people with my music,” he adds via his bio. “This is my calling. This is what God put me on this earth to do. Whether it’s a hundred people or a million, I want to have an impact.”
To access the music video, unveiled in December 2009, in honor of The Call, please click here.
- Readers interested in this article may also enjoy Country Singer Jamey Johnson's 'In Color' Hit by Suite101.com writer Lisa L. Rollins.
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
