We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Matt Blagg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Matt below.

Matt, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My dad was a guitar player, and he was always in bands or playing music with other people. Growing up around that, I naturally absorbed a lot. I have many great memories of going with my when he played music with his music family (as he called them). I would sit in the corner of the room and watch until I fell asleep. Next thing I knew, my dad would be carrying me back into our house. It was a wonderful part of my childhood and it kept going!

My dad bought me a little cowboy guitar at age 5. I stared piano lessons in 2nd grade. I started trumpet in school band in 5th grade. Trumpet paid for my college as I majored in music. While in college, I discovered that I am a singer/songwriter who happens to play trumpet. As my last year in college rolled around, I was doing so many gigs of my own that it was hard to fit college in around it, but I did graduate, then it was “off to the races”!

In between my own shows, playing gospel music in churches, I would play for other bands in clubs, bars, festivals and also do a lot of session work in recording studios. One of these bands was Smilin Vic and The Soul Monkeys. I played in this band for over 5 years and it was like going to school! These were guys who had been playing r & b, soul, blues, music since the 60’s and they were the real deal! I learned how to be a “front man” from Smilin Vic, who is a cross between James Brown and Lou Rawls. It was glorious times, and I often couldn’t quit smiling myself!

My music brother, Ernie and I traveled and played music together for over 30 years. We would do duo gigs or full band gigs, and he also helped engineer and produce my albums. We grew up learning our craft together, always pushing each other to be better.

Now days, having YouTube, social media, and the access to so many great players and artists, is such a wonderful tool.

Essential skills- 1. Playing with good rhythm. If one can’t do this, nothing else matters. 2. LISTEN- to yourself and to what is going on around you. 3. Work ethic- this is so important. 4. Be kind- it’s a small world. 5. Serve each other- collaborate.

Growing up on a farm in western Oklahoma was the best. I wouldn’t trade it for anything, However, I do believe that had I been in Nashville or Austin that it would’ve help be a catalyst to my career, but I have never regretted staying in Oklahoma. My roots run deep here, and it has shaped who I am as an artist. Being in the boonies, no decision maker in the music industry is going to hear what you are doing, or see the dust you’re kicking up.

All in all, I have led a blessed life, and been able to support my family doing what I love to do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

We went to the OKC Arts Festival last week, and something hit me hard as I was walking by all the booths. Artists are people who put their heart out there in whatever they create. Music, painting, metal art, pottery, poetry- you name it. How sadly tragic it can be if people just walk by and judge, or criticize something they may not understand or something that may not be their cup of tea. These artists were brave enough to put their heart out there- in a gallery, on a stage, in their booth at an arts festival, just hoping someone will appreciate it enough to notice, appreciate, and even buy it.
Art imitates life, life imitates art! Please remember to appreciate this in all walks of life! We need art, and artists! It’s a colorless world without it.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

We did the “starving artist” thing for 20 years. Actually, we never went without, we just didn’t have much, but our home was filled with love, joy, and kindness. I took every gig that came down the pike, and I didn’t have the luxury of being picky. This made for many all night drives to gigs or back home. Often not much sleep was had. We tried to stay out of debt, which meant that we drove old cars & vans. I would often work on my van during the week so I could drive to gigs on the weekends.

My albums were all self-released. I did my own booking and promotions. I never counted the hours. It was just doing what needed to be done. We did it for the love. – for 20 years!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mattblagg.com
• Instagram: https://linktr.ee/mattblagg
• Facebook: https://linktr.ee/mattblagg
• Twitter: https://linktr.ee/mattblagg
• Youtube: @themattblagg
• Other: Spotify: https://linktr.ee/mattblagg

Image Credits

Ryan Magnani