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Matthew Davidson News Dec. 15, 2011
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Greetings!
The best news for this newsletter is that Matthew was "in the news" this past week. American Blues News posted an article titled "Festivals of 2011 Bring the Blues Community Together". The article began by mentioning all of the blues legends that passed away in 2011, and then went on to say, "Even though the list of blues-related deaths is long for 2011, all across the country kids and young adults are getting into the Blues. Matthew Davidson is wowing audiences across the south and he is only in his mid-teens."
 | | American Blues News article - Dec., 2011 |
It was encouraging to receive this shout-out and we hope to continue traveling and playing at both blues and other festivals in 2012. We'd love for you to let us know about festivals and all-ages venues in your area that are booking entertainment. Just reply to this message and we'll check it out!
Then, this surprise came from Bob Sullivan's family in McAlester, OK from the McAlester News-Capital. Click HERE to read the article.
 | | "Blues guitar prodigy Matthew Davidson, left, shares a moment with Tannehill resident, Bob Sullivan on Dec. 3 at the North by Northwest Music Foundation building in Shreveport, LA. Sullivan was inducted into the NXNWLA Music Museum and the mayor declared Dec. 3 Bob Sullivan Day in Shreveport." |
There was also a 3rd news item that you might have already seen on Matthew's Facebook page, but we'll save that for next week's newsletter!
Thanks for reading and we hope that you will "like" Matthew's Facebook page to keep up with the latest news!
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Music City Texas Concert - Sat., Jan. 14th
The phone call went something like this: "Would The Matthew Davidson Band like to perform at the 2012 T-Bone Walker Festival? (Yes!) Would The Mattthew Davidson band like to perform at Music City Texas Theater on Sat., Jan. 14th?" (Yes again!) This theater in Linden, TX has got to be one of the neatest venues in this region. We're really looking forward to this one! We'll be performing at 6 PM, opening for Jonathon "Boogie" Long. He's from Baton Rouge, LA and won Guitar Center's 2011 "King of the Blues" contest. Buy tickets soon and put them in someone's stocking, so they will have a "Blue Christmas"!
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Opening Night: Location:Shreveport Regional Airport
Date: Thursday, February 9
Time: 6-9pm
Entertainment by: Matthew Davidson Band
Silent Auction of Artist and Celebrity Tiles: Benefit The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center
*Hors d'oevres and Cash Bar * Free Parking * Official "Dare to be paired" T-shirts and commemorative catalogs for sale
What's This All About?
Artport is the regional art exposition housed at the Shreveport Regional Airport. The only revolving public art display located in an airport setting in America, Artport features artwork from over 100 local and regional artists. it offers residents and visitors to the Shreveport-Bossier City area an opportunity to view works of art by local professional and aspiring artists.
In October 1990, the Airport Beautification Committee challenged Artport to open the first showing in time to greet travelers to the Independence Bowl. It was a huge success. From it's simple beginnings, Artport has grown to impressive proportions. The "Up" 2007 show was the thirteenth installment and attracted an over 2,000-person crowd on opening night.
"More than just an art show, Artport gives our cities the opportunity to prove to the world that it cares not only about beautification, but also about making art accessible to the public. Each show always reveals the high caliber of art produced in this region to national and international travelers, as well as locals on their own travels to the airport,"said Lewis Kalmbach, Artport Director.
Artport is made possible by Kalmbach Smith Meadows, Shreveport Regional Airport and generous donations to Artport from area businesses and individuals. The Artport staff extends special thanks to the numerous artists' sponsors, American Airlines, Dooley Creek Ranch, United Tile, Neil Johnson, Shreveport Regional Airport Security & Maintenance, Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the Philadelphia Center.
The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center
The Betty and Leonard Phillips Deaf Action Center promotes the independence of the deaf, the hard of hearing and the multi-handicapped deaf in Louisiana. The Center has made a tremendous effort to provide services, support, and advocacy for this population by providing education to the general public, instructing and directing individuals interested in the field of deafness and encouraging leadership among members of the Deaf Community. It is to this end, the Center eliminates any and all barriers and, in fact, serves as a beacon and source of unity for all persons affected and touched by hearing loss.
For more information, visit www.artportshreveport.com.
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MDB T-shirts!
Our band T-shirts can be purchased at our gigs or can be ordered online at www.matthewdavidson.net. (Click "Merchandise").
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About Matthew Davidson -
"Even though the list of blues-related deaths is long for 2011, all across the country kids and young adults are getting into the Blues. Matthew Davidson is wowing audiences across the south and he is only in his mid-teens." ~ American Blues News, Dec. 2011
"Matthew began performing professionally in 2010 and has already achieved an immense amount of recognition, support and admiration." ~International Musician Magazine, Sept. 2011
"This young man is....amazing. If he possesses this kind of talent NOW, we shudder to think how good he will be in just five years! Do yourself a favor, and look him up on YouTube. Grab the popcorn and prepare to be astonished." ~ MyTexasMusic.com newsletter
 | | Photo by Matt Dodson |
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Happy Birthday, Jerry Beach!
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Jerry Beach by Matt Dodson
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Matthew's guitar teacher, Jerry Beach, celebrated his 70th birthday last week. Jerry wrote the song, "I'll Play The Blues for You", which was made famous by Albert King. Jerry has been supportive of Matthew since the first night they met. Robin and The Bluebirds first invited Matthew to sit in with them at El Chico's in May of 2010, and many other times after that. All of these "sit-ins" provided Matthew with valuable experience and exposure to get him started on his musical adventure! It was soon after meeting Jerry that Matthew began taking guitar lessons from him. In addition to teaching Matthew guitar skills, Jerry has shared advice and guidance based on his years of experience as a musician.
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Jerry, Matthew and Bruce at Brew 2010
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We appreciate all of The Bluebirds - Jerry, Robin, Bruce, Zeke and Stan - and hope to return the favor by helping another musician in the same way in the future.
 | | Matthew and Jerry at The Strand |
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Local Musicians' Union holding Membership Drive
American Federation of Musicians Local 116 is currently having a membership drive. The drive will last until the end of the year. Membership dues are $150 for adult members and $85 for youth members. (Regular local and national initiation fees of $90 are wavied during the membership drive).
For more information, contact John Howe, Local 116 President, at johnhowe@afm116.org or call the union office at 318-222-5183.
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Be sure to "Like" the "Friends of the Louisiana Hayride" Facebook page and share it with your friends. Future events will be posted here and you don't want to miss anything!
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Matthew Davidson, Joe Osborn, Maggie Warwick and Michael Long
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