Born and raised in Columbus Ohio, Matt caught the music bug early. When he was 7 years old, a friend’s father was in the entertainment business. Hanging out at rehearsals and on the tour buses sold Matt on the idea of being a musician, or at the very least, a drummer. All this lead to spending his high school years at Fort Hayes vocational school for music and Capital University Conservatory of Music for college studying under drum instructor Bob Breithaupt.
The musical diversity in Columbus gave Matt the chance to play with many great players and learning many different styles – from Big Band (Vaughn Weister’s Famous Jazz Orchestra) and Brazilian to Afro-Cuban and Fusion. All the while, he was doing his share of gigs with original rock bands and top 40 bands.
Matt moved to Nashville in the summer of 1999. Working as a freelance drummer based in Nashville has taken him to all 50 states in the U.S. and most of Canada, as well as overseas to Europe, Asia, The Middle East and The Caribbean.
As well as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Matt has performed in great local venues like the Ryman Auditorium, Mercy Lounge, 3rd and Lindsley, The 5 Spot, The Sutler, The Basement, The Wildhorse Saloon, and many clubs on lower Broadway.
Matt has toured both regionally and nationally, with the Adam and Shannon Wright, Mark Selby, Eddy Raven, Billy Dean, Stephen Simmons, Three Lane, Whiskey Cash & Roses, Michelle Wright - (throughout Canada), Julie Roberts, and The Frontmen of Country which is Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas.
From 2009 to 2017 Matt was the full time drummer for the band Savannah Jack. He played percussion on their first studio record in 2010 opposite Steve Ferrone on drums. For their second studio record in 2015, Matt was the drumset and percussion player in the studio.
In the studio, Matt has had the pleasure of working with talented producers including Eric Fritsch, Teddy Morgan, Jim Reilley and Brent Maher. Artist he's recorded with in the studio have included Sheryl Crow, legendary songwriter Buzz Cason and actor Kevin Costner.
In 2015, Matt started a podcast for drummers called "Working Drummer", an interview based podcast that maintains a focus on the drummer that makes a living at his or her craft. Along with the help of co-host Zack Albetta, the podcast has a growing audience throughout the world with more listeners every week. www.workingdrummer.net
Matt endorses Aquarian Drum Heads, Session Ace in-ears