One of the most under-the-radar songwriters in Nashville.
Music City is full of incredible songwriters, many of whom rival those that you hear on the radio and see on the charts. And one of those you need to know is Matt Rogers.
The Georgia native and award-winning songwriter, who’s been recognized by CMT and the National Songwriters Association International (NSAI), among others, is actually somebody who caught my attention when I caught a show of his on Broadway here in Nashville a few years ago. Because along with his witty and thoughtful lyrics, he’s also honed his chops on stage with an electric live show.
We’ve said it here a thousand times, but there’s no substitute in the music business for hard work and putting in the time on stage and in the writer’s room. No matter how many followers you have on social media, your followers will never give you better feedback than a crowd of people right in front of you, and the best artists are those like Matt who have put in the work and built up their career brick by brick.
If you’re not yet familiar with Matt, it’s time to check him out – and here’s a five-song introduction to get you started:
1) “Heartbreak Town”
A driving, rock-infused anthem with a chorus that perfectly shows off Matt’s songwriting as he describes the juxtaposition between finding love in a world where others are seeking fleeting pleasure:
“In a heartbreak town
Where everybody’s got a story about things went wrong
Strangers stumble out together cause they can’t be alone
Sabotaging anything that gets too close to real
Self destructive devastation that don’t ever heal
How’d I find love where it can’t be found
In a heartbreak town”
2) “South Dakota Sky”
From the harmonies to the relatable lyrics about questioning where you’re at in life, this ballad may be one of my favorites that he’s released so far and really shows off his range as both a songwriter and an artist.
“Am I doing what I should be
Do the lyrics really move me
Or am I only playin’ guitar with words that rhyme
Is there something to the story
Uncharted territory
Maybe I’m just tired or I’m just high
But the stars are asking questions
In the South Dakota sky”
3) “Whiskey Don’t”
This one would have been a massive hit in the early 2000s, putting a new spin on the common theme of turning to the bottle to get over the pain:
“ Whiskey don’t make things get better
Whiskey don’t unbreak a heart
Whiskey don’t care who’s at fault and how things got the way they are
I’m in no mood for conversation
About her and moving on
And everyone wants me to talk about it
But whiskey don’t”
4) “Richest Place on Earth”
The title track to Matt’s 2017 EP, this poignant ballad is a profound reminder to not let your dreams pass you by for so long that you end up taking them to the grave with you. It’s a shame this one wasn’t a massive hit, because it deserves to be heard:
“It’s here the dreams are buried
Before they ever come to life
And Nobel Prize inventions
That were never brought to life
Too scared to take that first step
And afraid of getting hurt
You can find them in the richest place on earth”
5) “Ain’t Ever Been A Cowboy”
Matt’s latest release is also one of the best examples of his vivid songwriting, as he reflects on finally settling down after finding the one worth settling down for:
“Til I tumbled right into your night
And now I’m just along for the ride
Like I aint ever been a cowboy”
With his traditional country sound, killer songwriting and electric live show, it’s only a matter of time before Matt Rogers becomes a household name in the country music world. Luckily for you, now you already know about him and can be along for the ride.
