Number One Fan

Last year, my friend Megan had me listen to a few songs that her friend Matt had recently recorded. She had grown up being close family friends with his family. He's a good old home-grown Tampa native. They had been friends since being little, in fact, she still has pictures of them as youngn's. :) When she had me listen to his hit song, Honey, Let Me Sing You A Song, I instantly fell in love with his lyrics, his words, and him.

Last December, Megan and I decided to spend the $8 a person to go to his concert at The Orpheum, a small bar in the middle of Downtown Tampa. I got to meet him, talk to him, get a picture, and stand front row to an amazing concert. He was just as good live as he was on his CDs. It was an altogether amazing night.

For the past 9 months, I've been spreading the word about Matt Hires and shared my love for his music to my best friend and a few of my roommates. I found out yesterday that Matt was coming to Orlando tonight! I knew I had to go again and brought Julia along with me. I was so excited.

It was in downtown Orlando at a small place called The Social where a lot of smaller bands go to play and make a name for themselves. Matt was starting out his State Lines tour there and going all over the United States on part 2 of his tour. The tickets were pretty cheap again so I couldn't wait. This time, I even bought a shirt. I don't normally but it was generally cheap for a concert shirt and I wanted to support Matt. Everyone there loved him, of course. And I got the chance to chat with him after and get another picture. I love it!

I suggest that you take a second to check out his music. It's a cross between John Mayer and Matt Nathanson. More of a soft, alternative rock with some clean and powerful lyrics. His songs have all kinds of messages and his voice is really captivating. Buy some of his songs on itunes. :)

"In a strange, strange place, I'm lying on the edge of a star

In these violent days, I only wanna be where you are

Even fools they say, can find a way out of the dark.

Help me out of the dark."

-Matt Hires