Matthew : Pictures, Images, Photos, Videos : Columbus, OH : Musician

matthewvanfossen • Matthew

Columbus, OH • 25 years old

Musician

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Professional

Musician

Gender: Male
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Red
Height: 6' 0"

Weight: 220 lbs
Shoes: 14 1/2

About

Currently Residing: Columbus, Ohio.

Matt started singing when he was 2 years old with traditional Country music being his passion and focus; His main influence being Reba McEntire. His first public performance was in elementary school and he later auditioned for the Monarch Choir at John Marshall high school.

Matt grew up in Bellaire, Ohio with his mother Dorothy, father Matt, and his brother Sean. His parents divorced in 1994,which was a major turning point for him. His father was and is a recovering alcoholic so over the next few years, when times were tough, he always turned to music to see him through. He would often stay with his great grandmother Stella Black where they would spend time together watching Hee Haw and The Grand Ole Opry. Stella always supported him and fueled Matt's singing until she passed away in 1999. From that day forward Matt knew he was meant to follow their shared dream of being a Country music star.

In 2000 Matt met the next person that was going to be a huge part of him chasing his dreams of Country music stardom, Pam Whetzel; She was and is one of his closest friends. They often sat out on his back deck and sang their favorite songs; Which, in turn, taught Matt how to harmonize. She is also the person who first introduced him to Chely Wright's music; another influence in his quest.

Matt officially started his professional career in music in late 2003, when he competed for the Monthly Karaoke Competition at The Wheeling Downs Racetrack and Gaming resort. It was there that Randy Baldwin, of Bellaire, Ohio, whose son Josh and Matt were friends growing up. Randy remembered Matt and approached him about recording his first demo. The CD was sent to songwriter, Kelley Lovelace of Nashville, whom writes songs with Brad Paisley, another major influence on Matt’s music whom he hopes to meet and record with. Through the competition at Wheeling Downs Matthew met his first true Inspiration as an artist; Joanie Lilly, of Monroeville, PA. She taught him to believe in himself and to keep pushing forward. It was in late 2004 When Matt asked Lilly to sing a duet on his 2nd demo project. That collaboration is titled “Hard to be a Husband, Hard to be a Wife”. It was originally written and performed by two of Matt's biggest influences, Chely Wright and Brad Paisley. The song is still one of Matt’s favorite recordings to date.

Family has always been major part of Matt's success. His grandmother Midge, cousin Sarah, Aunt Barb, lovingly known as "Tig", and of course his biggest fan, his mother, were continually supporting him at every competition and encouraging him to reach higher. They began to setup get-togethers several times a month to go karaoke; just to listen to Matt sing.

In 2004, Matt attended his first CMA Music Festival. Upon attending, he was able to meet one of his influences, Chely Wright. Meeting her face to face was the beginning of a dream come true.

Throughout 2004, he continued to perform at Wheeling Downs Racetrack and Gaming Resort in various competitions in which several time he won. In August of 2006, he competed in the Wetz Colgate Country Music Showdown where he met Heather Warren; a fellow competitor. That day when Matt stepped off the stage after his rehearsal, Heather told Matt he had the whole competition wrapped up; Upon winning, he progressed to the West Virginia State finals.

In October of 2004, Matt recorded his first official demo CD entitled, "Back of the Bottom Drawer." In October of 2006 Matt was invited to headline his first concert at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville, WV. When asked if he had someone in mind to open for him he gave Warren a call without hesitation. Early in 2009, Matt began a new chapter in his life by moving to Columbus, OH where he met Amanda; a new but major supporter of his dream and efforts. Constantly encouraging Matt to achieve new challenges with his recordings. In late October of that year, Matt embarked on his greatest challenge yet; Going into the studio and recording all of his unreleased material with a full band and producer marking his first official studio project. Recorded at Aardvark Recording Studios in Steubenville, OH where he recorded "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me". Other songs included on this project are, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You", "One Night In Las Vegas"(Duet with Joanie Lilly) "Anywhere But Here", and "I Don't Want To"(Duet with Heather Warren). The lead single will be "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" was officially released in February 2009. Matt is in the process of relocating to Music City USA, Nashville, TN, where he will embark on the next exciting step in his very promising music career.

Keep checking his official Website, www.matthewvanfossen.com, and his official Myspace and Digital Rodeo pages for updates as well as the forthcoming official fan club "VanFans"!

My Website: www.myspace.com/matthewvanfossen

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Is a fan of	4 people

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