I enjoyed the article and found it very informative.

Really excited about the new album, Craig! Can’t wait to see you again.

Here are some of my thoughts about the music biz…

I beleive being succcessful in the music business includes having the right combination of talent, drive, hard work, luck, and a huge passion among other things.

Most of all, I beleive music must be a true “calling”. You have to be “meant for this.” I feel that there are quite a few singers out there who want to be “american idol stars” overnight and have no idea that it actually takes years of hard work. There is no “overnight success.” Period. They are told on national tv that they are no good, so they sob and give up, going back to their 9 to 5 job. Real pros never quit, no matter how many times they are told no.

Music is my soul and I thank God every day to be involved in music. As a kid, I never knew I wanted to make music my career, it just short of happened for me. In 2005, I was 18, just out of high school, I saved up my money – I booked my first coast to coast tour, playing in coffee houses, Borders bookstores, and a variety of other “tips only” venues. I traveled from IL to CA, the tour was 3.5 months and I slept in my car most of this time. It was an experience I will never forget.

I gradually started to get better gigs, and making more money.

Six years later, I now make a modest living performing, and many of the venues provide accomodations.

In last few years despite the economy, I’ve had gigs. I’m very blessed. I know of fabulous arranger in Scotland who arranges my music. I do my recording at an awesome studio in Nashville.

One thing I have learned is you have to make your own way, make your own success happen.

I have never stopped working to improve.

When I change into my suit, and have a mic in my hand, I turn into a different person – for me this is the time when I feel happiest and most comfortable.

Having a tough childhood, music was one of the things that got me through my teen years. I beleive music is what connects us and brings us all together, no matter where we are from.

It is a huge honor to be able to do something that can touch people’s hearts in this way.

I don’t plan to stop what I do, as long as I’m able to. My motto is, reach for 100, if you hit 80, so what.

It is so awesome to see my favorite singers who are still going strong, including Frankie Valli, Andy Williams, and Tony Bennet. These are the true singers. Wow. I can only hope to still be involved in music when I get their age. Every day, when I’m performing, I hope to have a positive effect on those that hear my music. I want everyone to feel the same passion I feel for it.

Matt

My CD, Futures Unknown, can be heard at CDBaby.com/Futures Unknown.

Thank you.

Larry Stevens

I guess what I am saying is that if anyone is like me who has a job they can live with as long as they can still go out and perform a few times a month. You can still feel good about yourself and your music without having to depend on it. I think I play better now than ever knowing that my family is behind my being a “part time” musician and a full time family man. This is another alternative to being a musician that is alive and well in many venues.