— Smashing every stereotype about Canadian guitar players and Mississippi Delta blues, Matt Andersen brings his huge voice and impressive slide guitar playing to Sun Valley on Wednesday, January 23.
From blues and Americana classics like Bill Withers’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel”, to ballads like Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” and songs of his own like “Coal Mining Blues,” Andersen fills everything he sings with raw emotion. In 2010, Andersen beat out competitors from 11 countries and five continents to become the first Canadian to win the Memphis International Blues Challenge. In 2011 he won Canada’s national Maple Blues Awards for Entertainer of the Year and Acoustic Act of the Year. He has been nominated again in 2012 for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist; winners will be announced January 21, 2013.
The concert is part of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts Winter 2102–13 Performing Arts Series sponsored in part by Barbara & Tod Hamachek. This year’s series strives to broaden The Center’s winter audience by bringing in shows that would be equally expected at summer outdoor concerts. “These winter performers are up and coming, award-winning musicians who are performing all over the country,” says Kristine Bretall, The Center’s Director of Performing Arts. “The great news is that while you might expect to see someone like Matt late night in a smoky blues club or at a summer music festival, you can just head up to the Opera House, grab a beer or glass of wine, sit back and be floored by his talent.” In addition to headlining major festivals, clubs and theaters throughout the US, Canada and Britain, he has shared the stage and toured with Bo Diddley, Little Feat, Randy Bachman and America.
Raised in New Brunswick, Canada, Matt Andersen (www.stubbyfingers.ca) grew up playing tuba and trumpet. He started guitar at 14, and before long was playing classic rock and Top 40 covers in pub bands. Things changed dramatically, however, when he discovered the blues. “Through Eric Clapton I got into B. B. King, which led me to the Chicago electric stuff and eventually back to the Mississippi Delta guys,” Andersen says. “What really hit me most about the blues was its total honesty.” (See videos of Matt Andersen)
Matt Andersen will perform at the Sun Valley Opera House beginning at 6:30 pm Wednesday, January 23. Tickets are available online at www.sunvalleycenter.org for $20 Sun Valley Center members / $30 nonmembers / $10 students 18 and under. Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 208.726.9491 ex 10 or stop by The Center in Ketchum.
