Hey guys,

Wow - I remember the days of blogging before status updates took over the world!  ha ha

Landon Smith and I are pumped to FINALLY be making our way out to the East Coast!  We'd been working out ways and times to do, and things feel into place for this one, so we can't wait.

This tour is going to be different than a normal tour because we'll be doing all Rock the House concerts...(What is that Matt? Well, let me explain...)  A Rock the House concert is a concert that takes place in someone's living room, backyard, sunroom, etc. and whoever is hosting it invites between 10 and 20 friends.  Then, Landon and I have a "storytellers" sort of song-trading acoustic concert in your living room!  This has been one of our absolute favorite things to do on tour, and we can't wait to bring it to the East Coast and share it with ya'll

These are the cities that we'll be hitting on this tour (and any surrounding areas):

Baltimore, MD
Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia, PA
New York, New York
Boston, MA

The dates we'll be up on the East Coast are August 8th through August 14th, and we'll update our show schedules on our page as each date gets filled - so if you see one you want, let us know!

If you live in or around any of these cities, and this sounds like something you'd want to host - drop Landon or me an email and we can talk about getting this set up! We've played these shows in anything from studio apartments in Chicago (which was really fun), to full-on stages that were built on a ranch in Kennett, MO. Whatever environment you've got, we can make it work!

Thanks so much guys, if you have any more questions, just drop either Landon or me an email, and we'll get it figured out!  Hope everyone is having a great Monday, talk to you soon!

Matt

(this blog is also posted at http://therealmattjones.blogspot.com/2009/05/being-single-minded.html)

Well guys, it's about that time again...for being single-minded...(ok, sorry - enough with the mystery)...my new single is coming out soon!

Back in January I released my first single on Itunes called "Follow Through Man" - and you guys responded in kind and really showed support for it, so I'm doing it again...but this time, there's a new spin on things.

A while back I asked you all what some of your favorite cover songs were (and I must admit, I got some awesome responses!), and out of that, I was inspired to record my first ever cover tune. The song was a hit in 1970 - it's called "Give Me Just a Little More Time" by General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board. I heard this song and thought it would be a great tune to start the summer off, and thought I could do a cool version of it! So...check it out - here's the link to a preview of the original song:

http://www.amazon.com/Give-Just-Little-More-Time/dp/B000QNCSYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1242409379&sr=8-1

Interesting, huh? I'll be posting a clip of my version next week so you guys can hear it, and it will be up on Itunes and Amazon shortly after that! In the meantime, feel free to check out "Follow Through Man" and other stuff on Itunes here:

http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=B4Dj/LiB1cE&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fi%253D301258602%2526id%253D301258586%2526s%253D143441%2526uo%253D6%2526partnerId%253D30

Hope you're all having an awesome Friday, talk to you soon!

Matt

So, having just gotten over a cold that everyone said was swine flu...it gave me some time while I was resting to go over what's happening this summer. Needless to say, I'm excited for it! First off - I'm getting ready to put out another single. It's a song that some of you may recognize, and it's definitely a beachy, summer-y type song, so I'm doing my best to get that out by the end of May/beginning of June!

Secondly, Landon Smith and I are going back through Texas in June for a tour, right after we each release new singles, so that should be a blast too! I also got new t-shirts made through the Forgotten Foundation, so not only do they look great, but whoever gets them will be helping people groups (mostly kids) in Bolivia and in Thailand.

Thirdly, Landon and I are going to be hitting the East Coast in August! We're going to be doing a different kind of tour called "Rock the House"(some of you long time friends will recognize that name :o), where we're going to book private house concerts and we'll go and play for 10 to 15 people in a living room, backyard, etc. It's been a while since we've done a tour like this, so we're pumped!

Lastly, there are always about 20 different things that are in the fire that I usually don't share, because I want to wait until they absolutely come through. Trust that your support makes all of them possible, so as usual, it would be IMpossible for me to do any of this without your help, thoughts, prayers, and friendship. Thank ya'll kindly, more to come soon!

TRMJ out...

P.S. - this blog can also be found at http://therealmattjones.blogspot.com in case you don't get on myspace that often anymore

How long has it been since you saw a performance somewhere that was so moving you actually felt compelled to give a standing ovation? Sometimes I think they can be dished out far too easily, but I have to speak for myself that I don't do it very often...

That brings me to last night - I saw an artist named Willy Porter play an acoustic show, just a man with a guitar...and I have to say that it was truely inspiring. The guy is an amazing player, he's got a great voice, writes very insightful lyrics, and was an entertainer all the way through the set.  Really, there was not a single thing I would have changed about his concert (well, maybe it could have lasted a little longer!  ha ha) 

I wanted to share this because I'm consistently searching out ways to become a better artist - songs, guitar playing, singing, stage presence, etc. and this was a show that I will never forget.  It's been an awesome encouragement, and it's pushing me to look at what I'm doing now and see what I can do to be a more complete artist.

That being said, check out this video of Willy Porter playing "Moonbeam":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK5eP1kes0A 

Thanks so much again guys, hope you enjoy!

Matt

Hey guys!

Wow - I feel like it's been forever since we've had an update!  That can be good or bad depending on circumstances, but fortunately this time it's good :o)
Things have been busier on this end than I can remember them being in a long time, but the reason they are so busy is that so many opportunities have presented themselves. 
As most of you know from our conversations, I've usually got my fingers in about 10 pots at the same time, so there are a lot of things in process that I won't tell you about until they completely come through (don't want to tempt fate, ya know? ;o), but the main thing that has come through that makes a huge difference is this - I signed a publishing deal.

What does that mean?  Basically, a publisher saw enough promise in my songwriting to say, "Hey - I think your songs have enough potential that I want to pay you money on a monthly basis to write songs for me so that I can get them placed in tv shows, movies, ad campaigns, and pitch them to other artists to record."
In turn, my publisher pays me up front to write songs for the catalogue, and he gets a percentage of money on all of the placements that he gets. 

What does that mean for you?  Just look forward to hearing many more songs; in fact, there will probably be more than usual and there will be lots of variety in them!

Thank you all so much for all of your support over these 3 years (almost 4 when July rolls around) of my full-time music career.  I could not, and I cannot do it without you.  Hope you're having an awesome Tuesday, talk to you soon

Matt

Hey guys!

In celebration of the holiday where it seems guys spend way to much money, and girls seem to either have their hearts completely warmed or completely broken by something...I figured I should do some research to see why we celebrate it!  Here's what I found -

According to a few sites google seems to favor, the first known "Valentines" were saints that were martyred, and none of the 3 that were named Valentine and were killed around that time had anything to do with "sentimental love" - that notion only came around during the High Middle Ages when courtship became fashionable...wow, that just felt like reading a history book!  ha ha
My favorite story though was a theory:

"...from Belarus states that the holiday originates from the story of Saint Valentine, who upon rejection by his mistress was so heartbroken that he took a knife to his chest and sent her his still-beating heart as a token of his undying love for her. Hence, heart-shaped cards are now sent as a tribute to his overwhelming passion and suffering."(Wikipedia, updated last 2-9-09)
Talk about an emo guy, huh? ha ha  At any rate, just thought I would share those, here's what I'm doing for Valentines Day though -

Landon Smith, Ryan Holley and I will be playing a show on Valentine's Day in Houston at The Tasting Room in River Oaks. If you're a guy heading over to that show, send me an email with your girlfriend/wife's name and a message you want to tell her, and we'll read it and give you credit for it before we play a certain song.  Thought we might score you some points with that one guys!  ha ha

If you're a girl heading to the show with your boyfriend/husband and you want him to do something like this - send him over to our blog and tell him to contact us (you know how us guys need to be reminded of stuff all the time, so help us out ;o)

We'll be recording that show LIVE as well, so I can send you the recording of your dedication after it's done so you can always have it too!  Thought ya'll would enjoy that, hope you have a great week leading up to it and we'll see you guys on Saturday!

The Real Matt (but the fake cupid) Jones

I've recently had a lot of people contact me and ask what the story behind "Follow Through Man" is about - so, two things for you right off the bat:

1. If you like interpreting songs your own way and don't want the original take, please don't read this because it could destroy everything the song means to you

2. If you like hearing the stories behind songs and where they came from, then this is the blog for you to read...

Many of you contacted me saying something to the effect of, "...sounds like you got your heart broken by this girl."  Which, in all truth, is probably what my initial guess might be if I heard this song for the first time.  I'm definitely contrasting different relationships she's had, which is a move you'll often hear guys pull when they're trying to convince a girl that he's the better choice ;o)

Mainly, what I'm trying to capture in this song is that, contrary to popular belief, there are guys out there that will finish what they start.  Many of us have been too scared, lazy, insecure, or whatever the reason to really make something lasting happen with a girl who's worth it - don't worry, I'm not absolving myself!  This song tells a story of a guy who's trying his best to make sure that someone who's worth spending the time on, gets the time she deserves. 

That being said, thank you guys so much for all your support with this song! It's available on Amazon mp3 and Itunes to download, and we've got a MUSIC VIDEO of this song that's going to debut next week through youtube, so I'll definitely keep you posted on that.

Hope you guys are having an awesome Friday, talk to you all soon!

Matt

Hey guys!
According to the survey I put out blogs and videos were the best way to keep you posted on things, so here's one of each!  ha ha  Check it out:
 



Matt

Hey guys,

Whew - what a December! It seemed like everyone that I talked to had a busier year than usual, and it seemed like the month just flew by, and now we're in 2009! 

I wanted to give you guys a short (well, as short as possible) update on what's been going on - it's been exciting!

1. I moved to a new house and got a new studio set up, so more songs and better songs are on the horizon for this year!

2. I had a couple of things happen with a booking agent in Canada, so be expecting more Canadian (and Northwest US ;o) tours this next year as well...

3. I got "Best of the Rest" in the Best Vocalist in Albuquerque section of ABQ the magazine, so thanks for that guys!

4. I have a new single coming out called "Follow Through Man" and we shot a music video for it that will come out shortly after the song is available!

I'm really excited about this new single - this song came out of a number of conversations that I've had with people all around the country last year.  Why is it that so many people make romantic encounters a means to an end?  Isn't it worth taking some time and some self-sacrifice to invest and see if something will go somewhere?  What do you guys think?  That what this new song addresses, so I think you guys will enjoy it :o)

I'll be posting a video of the recording process of the song in a couple days, so be on the lookout for that too - otherwise, drop me a line and let me know what you think about the subject matter of the song, or what you're up to! 

Talk to you soon,

Matt

Wow...it's December already! I had to post a blog about some ideas I've been having - they were mostly brought on by the events I took part in over Thanksgiving (by the way, hope everyone had a great one!)  Check it out:

Over the weekend, I went and helped out at a Meals on Wheels type program at a church (it was funny, I didn't end up being a runner and delivering meals - I ended up working in the kitchen making gravy all morning...I was probably responsible for some people getting some pretty funky gravy on Thanksgiving), and yesterday I went to the Juvenile Detention center here in Albuquerque and played some music for the kids and got a chance to hang out and talk with them for a few, it was both eye-opening and awesome.

I also noticed that almost every person I encountered has at least mentioned financial "strain" of some sort, even if it's not a dire need.  Things seem to be a little tighter around the country right now for sure, so...I wanted to put these 2 things into place, check it out:

1. The "Do Something" Initiative - between now and anytime before Christmas, I encourage you to go volunteer somwhere in your community.  If you do, just take a picture of it (or with the group, or whatever) and post it to your myspace page.  Send me an email to let me know (or post a comment to this blog) and I will send you a link to download my new Christmas record FOR FREE.  That'll just be a little incentive to get out there and make a difference!

2. Recession Buster CD Prices - I'm almost out of each of my 3 CD's, and I figured since times are a little tight and the holidays are coming, I'd put up some "recession buster" specials on CD's!  So, from here until Christmas, each of my CD's will only be $5.  Click the links below for those:

 

 

Passerby

The Segue EP

Better Transitions

Thanks so much guys! Hope you're having a great Monday, talk to you soon! Matt