River Swirl - Music Label & Entertainment Production
Music has been a part of country star Matt Kennon’s life for as long as he can remember. “The first record I played was the Eagles’ The Long Run,” he recalls. “I was three or four years old. It wasn’t so much about the words, it was about the feel of the music.” The words did come though, and when they did, they came in spades. Matt’s personal, yet universally accessible, songwriting is part of what defines him.
Raised in music-fertile Georgia, he also discovered homegrown country artists like Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson. His love of music grew and he eventually began playing in a jazz band in high school and at church. “A lot of people got into sports—and I did too—but it wasn’t as fun to me as playing drums or listening to music,” he says.
He began the life of a journeyman musician – playing in area bands, singing with different groups – learning his craft. Eventually, he started recording original material. An album he put together to sell at shows further solidified his desire to make a living doing what he loved. “I had 1,000 CDs pressed and I sold them all within a couple of months. That’s when I realized that maybe it was something I needed to pursue.”
Matt moved to Music City; and, not long after he moved, he found producer Kyle Lehning and began writing songs as well as recording his music. Kyle eventually took Matt to James Stroud who signed him to a record deal and publishing deal. Matt’s debut album, featured his own unique blend of music. “It’s country, but it’s got a hint of rock ‘n’ roll mixed in. It’s just good American music,” Matt contends.
As a songwriter, his lyrics tell his story and the stories of countless others who have been challenged by life and have overcome the odds to achieve success. As a singer, the passion behind his life experience is in every note. The whiskey-voiced Georgian has a story to tell and songs to sing. “I put my life story all over my body,” the heavily tattooed Kennon says. “You can just look at me and know I’ve lived a pretty wild life. God’s going to use that as a testimony.” “I don’t want to sing about anything that I haven’t been through,” he says. “It’s honest and it’s real.”
Matt’s Top 20 breakthrough single, “The Call,” is a perfect example. The song speaks to the saving power of a well-timed phone call. “I’ve known people who have committed suicide and I knew girls that had abortions,” Matt says. “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,” he adds. Matt's Debut single "The Call' has sold over 300,000 copies and close to 50,000 full length albums since the release in May of 2010. The self titled album also debuted on Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart at #1.
While he went through a rebellious phase, he came out the other side intact. “The good Lord’s been watching out for me,” Matt says. “I was raised in a Christian home; we went to church twice on Sunday and once on Wednesday. There was a rebellious side, but that upbringing stuck with me. “I’m the prodigal son,” he adds. “I was living differently than the way I was raised. That’s why I put ‘mama tried’ right here,” he says, pointing to his right forearm. “It wasn’t her fault.” “I’m a walking contradiction,” he adds with a smile. “I want to touch people with my music,” Matt says. “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.”
"The Call" Drives Matt's Debut Album to #1
5 Grand Ole Opry Appearances
At work in the studio on "Feel My Fire" Lyrics.