Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Welch.
Hi Matt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I purchased my first guitar in 2006 with the hopes to teach myself. Through the years I utilized YouTube and online resources to learn to play, having no background in music. Things really started to take off around 2014 when I played for friends around a bonfire while I was camping. I continued the “backyard bonfire” playing for friends when we were all hanging out. In 2021 I wrote my first song and was bit by the songwriting bug. In 2022 I wrote over 40 songs, but most importantly I made my first trip to the studio (Planet Sunday Studios) and one of my songs (Kiss Me) fully produced. It was then released to all streaming services worldwide. Since then I have released 8 singles and a 9 song acoustic EP. With a goal to get my music out to people I began to play live solo acoustic cover shows locally in my area. Starting out I was happy with just a few shows a month. Now things have grown to where I play over 50, 2-4 hr, shows a year all over the state of Michigan, along with being a dad of 4 and working a full time job! In August of 2023 I was invited to play a few songs at Losers Bar & Grill in Nashville, TN. In October of 2025 I am returning to Nashville to play a song writers round where it will feature my own original music.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest hurdle has just been believing in myself that I am good enough to do what I do. Naturally I am a perfectionist so I am always my own worst critic. Early on, one when friends told me I was good, I wasn’t completely sold because I thought “that’s just what friends say.” The more I booked shows with venues the more confidence I gained. Like anything though, the more you do it the better and more comfortable you get! For me it’s just all about having fun doing what I truly love to do. Seeing people light up, sing along and dance to my music is the most rewarding part of it all.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My day job is that I am a police officer. I also have 4 children. So things stay busy, even without my music career. The music genre that I put myself in would be country music. I like to say that I play 90s to modern country music with my own original songs mixed in. I am most proud of being able to balance all that I have going on in my life while still staying productive and getting better. Some of the things that set me apart from others in this industry is that I treat this as my professional business. It may have started as a hobby but it has grown into so much more now. For me it’s extremely important to do what I say I will and make sure that I always put on a fun show. Communication is key since I have to plan what little extra time I have wisely. I take pride in replying to texts, emails and phone calls within a reasonable amount of time because I feel like it shows respect to other peoples time.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking a calculated risk is always a good thing. It pushes you outside of your comfort zone and forces you to get better. For me, it may be playing a new song I just learned for a crowd of people or being vulnerable enough to play a song I wrote that exposes heavy emotions. Taking the risk is often when we find our greatness!
Pricing:
- Show Booking- $100/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mw.irmbooking.com/fancapture-page
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/mattwelchmusic
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/mattwelchmusic
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@MattWelchMusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7pr7USucTbBrChwh3HuTbT?si=c5jEkecFRjaSrXsVIynwPg
