LowellArts House Concerts give people the opportunity to enjoy various genres of music indoors. Concerts take place at their 223 W. Main location in the gallery space. The newer series allows musicians to entertain during months when the Summer Concert Series on the Riverwalk do not take place.
The new year will kick off with a concert by The Preservers on Friday, January 5th at 7pm. The following evening the Bruce Matthews Band (BMB) will take the stage. They will be performing some of their past hits as well as introducing some new tracks with the release of their latest CD, Roll Your Windows Down.
The Music Man
Bruce Matthews retired from his position as Executive Director at the North Country Trail Association this past summer. Retirement hasn’t slowed Matthews down. In fact, it has allowed him more time to work on his music. He’s a singer, songwriter, plays acoustic guitar, and is the lead man behind the Bruce Matthews Band.
His love of music started playing in bands growing up. His dreams of a career in music came to a halt after spending seven months on the road after college in a band. He realized the traveling aspect of band life wasn’t a good fit. Matthews says his guitar sat idle for 30 years. But it was tuned up and used again in worship bands at Ada Bible Church. And finally, it was time to form a band of his own, although Matthews calls it more of a music project.
For the past eight years BMB has been composing and playing music. For almost a decade, more than 20 people have been a part of making music with Matthews. It has been almost four years since BMB released their first CD. “We weren’t sure about a follow-up; but new music happened and it felt like the time was right to get it recorded.” says Matthews. He hopes the music on the new CD speaks to people, leaving a lasting impact. Tony Muka and Dave Pomper, aside from Matthews himself, are the only original members of the band.
Matthews’ inspiration for original songs and take on tracks originally created by others comes from personal experiences. Roll Your Windows Down includes tributes to family members, often due to a loss. It also includes a track depicting Matthews’ personal journey as well as another track inspired from a poem about the 1st Minnesota Volunteers during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a genre for BMB. They play a mix of rock, blues, country, folk. They rock pretty hard with one song and move into a ballad with the next. It’s encompassing. The band’s music certainly has an appeal for a wide range of people.
Keeping “Tired” in Retirement
One could say Bruce Matthews is working harder in retirement compared to when he had a full-time job. The fall has consisted of putting together and promoting a new album. And it’s not likely he’ll stop after the CD release in January.
Matthews hopes to continue to get his band heard by people and ultimately get paid. “You know, I’d love to see the band get paid for what they do! This has been a labor of love, with no money and little recognition, but they all cheerfully give hours and hours just to get my music played and recorded. It’s a gift and a blessing and I can’t ever repay them.” he says. The BMB has played at New Union Brewery locally in addition to festivals in Grand Rapids. Keep an eye out for future shows by following the band on Facebook.
Rick Stone has been with BMB for two years as a percussionist. He loves playing as a unit, claiming playing alone to an audience as a percussionist isn’t necessarily ideal. But in a group such as BMB, he says the talent which surrounds him moves his soul. His favorite thing about performing in front of an audience is watching their reactions. “When a certain song or even just a verse of a song, touches someone and they begin to smile or move their body to the rhythm of the song, that warms my heart!” he says. Much like Matthews, he hopes the band’s music touches individuals in some way.
A flute is not often associated with a band. Yet Alison Myers does just that with BMB. She also adds “some Celtic flavor on whistles where it’s appropriate” adding to the whimsical and folk sound of the band. Myers enjoys the camaraderie and food associated with being part of a band. She also hopes the band’s music touches people saying, “The best thing about performing for an audience is the ability to connect and share a sacred space without speaking to each other. There is something about music that plugs us into another plane where we can immerse ourselves in the Holy Spirit and let it wash over our souls.”
Listen, Feel, and Be Inspired
Those involved with BMB spend countless hours learning new music, keeping brushed up on their hits from the past, and performing when called upon. They do all of this because they enjoy music. They do this because they enjoy performing. But overall they do it to reach out to others in hopes some connection will be made through the notes and lyrics audiences hear. “Personally it means the most to me when somebody shares that the music’s touched them, spoken to them, reached them in some way. I see this music as one way God is using me/us to carry out his plan; it’s my job to do my best to help make it so, and not about me.” expresses Matthews.
Bruce Matthews and his band will continue to look for venues where their music can be shared. However, anyone interested can soak in the tunes of BMB at any time. The new CD will be available for purchase at the event on January 6th. Tracks can also be downloaded at Reverbnation.
A complete list of House Concerts can be found on the LowellArts webpage. These concerts combine visual and musical art as guests can take in the current gallery offerings while listening to the concert. Proceeds from concerts are used for LowellArts programs. Tickets can also be purchased online or in person for $10 or $12 at the door.
Finally, we asked Bruce Matthews to tell us what inspired some of the tracks from the new album. Here’s what he had to say, in his own words.
- “Roll Your Windows Down”–basically because that’s how our music was being described—as ‘roll your windows down’ or ‘front porch’ music. Just felt like we ought to have a song about it! Turn it up!
- “Run On” is a traditional folk/gospel song, often done as a warning to sinners. Our take is more redemptive, invitational. We like the vibe in our version…
- “Shenandoah” is the other non-original song, a traditional whose origins are variously attributed to a sea chantey, a river/canal boaters song or a lumberman’s lament. In my family it’s the lullaby I sang to my kids and niece and nephews; and now my grandkids. Love the harmonies we worked into this version, and Alison’s whistle. In truth, in my heart of hearts, I hope it’s a legacy thing; I hope my grandkids play it for their grandkids.
- “Kyara’s Song” was written in remembrance of a 9 year old, killed in the same accident that took the life of my nephew, Jesse. Kyara’s mom, Kaylan, and Jesse were a couple. My hope was to offer Kaylan and our families some small comfort in remembering Kyara.
- “Cherries at Gettysburg” is one of my favorites. The idea came from a poem by Athena Kildegaard (“Ripe Cherries”). I took that idea and worked it into the story of the 1st Minnesota Volunteers on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, where the 270 men of the 1st Minnesota went into battle and lost 215 in 5 minutes, but saved the day for the Union, and quite arguably the war. But I wrote the song from the perspective of the individual soldier, which, I think, is a universal soldier.
- “Your Best Ain’t Good Enough” is the most personal of all my songs on this CD. It pretty much follows my psychic journey into recovery. Sort of a 3 minute ride through where I’ve been, and am now.
- “My Brother’s Wings” celebrates my brother-in-law, Tom, who passed on a year ago. Tom was special in so many ways, only one of which was that he had Downs. He used to tell Linda that he prayed for wings. When asked why, Tom said he wanted to fly to heaven, to see his mom and dad. But he always quickly added, ”Don’t worry, Linda. I come back.”
- “Gotta Go” is kind of our anthemic effort to thumb our collective nose at worry and anxiety; an affirmation of life and its goodness, and a trust in moving forward regardless of our circumstances. (listen for the cowbell…. 😉 ).
All photos courtesy of Bruce Matthews and use with permission.
Thankyou Lowell’s First Look for showcasing this concert series. I would like to share that LowellArts mission includes supporting musicians with payment for their performances including the summer concerts, Fallasburg Arts Festival and these LowellArts House Concerts. After paying the musicians at the House Concerts and paying for the marketing of these concerts it pretty much covers the ticket price to attend these. I want the people coming to these concerts to understand that a majority of the ticket price goes back to the musician performing! We are also looking forward to Lowell musicians in January including The Preservers on Jan 5 and Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers on Jan 20. –LowellArts