About
The Story
Matt King grew up in the mountains of North Carolina, fourth generation in a family of bootleggers, preachers, and splintered women. He worked in a goldsmith shop and an auction company, had his own concession business by thirteen. He came up at the feet of honest-to-God mountain people singing songs about dying and losing lovers, resentments and redemption.
In 1997, Atlantic Records released Five O'clock Hero. A year later, Hard Country, named by USA Today and People Magazine as a critics' favorite. He played the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman, the Greek in Hollywood, the CMA Fest Mainstage. He recorded with Vance Powell, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Jay Joyce.
Then he went independent. Rube in 2008, named by the New York Post as one of the year's top ten releases. He kept writing. Kept recording. Raw, Matt King and the Cutters, Apples and Orphans, Midnight Oil and Holy Water. Hundreds of published songs through Warner-Chappell, BME, Big Bicycle Music, and more.
He comes from people who don't explain themselves. Appalachian and accountable by choice. Every word, every note mattered. Songs written to stay alive. Songs written to put ghosts in the ground. Built things nobody asked for. They're still standing.
Still on. Still singing, praying, and witnessing from the mountain when everyone else went home.
Stages
Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman, The Greek (Hollywood), House of Blues, Tipitina's (New Orleans), CMA Fest Mainstage, Ottawa Blues Festival, The Crosby Golf Tournament
Recorded With
Vance Powell, Kim Carnes, Vince Gill, Jenny Gill, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Jay Joyce
Recognition
USA Today and People Magazine Critics' Favorite. New York Post Top Ten (2008). "Cursing the Ohio," Independent Music Awards nominee. Leadership Music Nashville, Class of 2002.
