Matt Kennon - The Best Of Matt Kennon (2017)

Country songwriter and singer Matt Kennon realized at the age of seven when his parents took him to a Survivor concert that he wanted to be a performer. Within days of the show he was learning how to play drums and staging shows in his living room with his friends. He also discovered country music. Raised in Georgia, he didn't have to look far for some country influences, discovering artists like Alan Jackson and Travis Tritt. More a drummer at this point than a singer, he played with a jazz band in high school, and picked up what gigs he could with other musicians. Eventually he began singing, starting at karaoke bars and then putting bands together, playing country and Southern rock covers at Atlanta clubs. With the guidance of producer and songwriter Chip Martin, Kennon began recording his own original material, putting together an album to sell at his shows. When the homemade album sold well, he decided to take a chance on Nashville, and once there he met Tritt's former manager Gary Falcon who, after hearing the demo album Kennon had done, recommended him to producer Kyle Lehning. Lehning began working with Kennon, and one of Kennon's songs, "Turn It Around," was picked up by Randy Travis and recorded, leading in turn to a publishing deal for Kennon. In time he was signed by producer James Stroud to BamaJam Records and started work on a proper Nashville album. A debut single, "The Call," was issued by the label in the fall of 2009. A self-titled album was issued the following May. ~ Steve Leggett