Everyone needs a Darling...

No, I'm not just talking about a Darlin' Darlin'....i'm talking about the most important thing in our business. Lovers of music...that spend their time, money and energy supporting us.

At the CMA awards this past year, I met a terrific man by the name of Larry Darling. He was visiting the CMA festival with a mile marker sign in his hands. He had seen that I was performing at the Hard Rock Stages and wanted me to sign a sign for Julie Roberts in reference to my song that Julie cut called "Breakdown Here." It was awesome that someone took the time to be so creative and took the energy to drag this heavy sign 50 miles around to get it signed by everyone.

I thought the idea was great - I had never seen it done before! We spent some time together and we took some pictures. Debbie and I were blown away by his love for our music. We were blessed to have met him.

3 months later, I was playing a show in Jackson, Tennessee and lo and behold, there was Larry with his wife and daughter, Joanne and Heather. They had watched my myspace page for dates and made the trip down from Chicago. Words cannot describe how much it meant to me for them being at the show, but then after the show, Larry brings out my own mile maker sign for "Breakdown Here".

It took me a couple of weeks of photo shop to get the sign from reflecting so badly, but now finally, I have it posted!!!!

These wonderful people are the life blood of what we do. None of us would be anywhere without them. So among my number 1 plaques, gold/platinum records, and lyrics that I've written, I have one of the most valuable things hanging next to them, my mile marker sign, delivered with love from the Darlings to me.

Meat Loaf

Ok....I'm exhausted but I couldn't go to bed without telling ya'll about what happened to me today. I got the opportunity to play songs for Meat Loaf....yes, THE Meat Loaf. The guy who has had the most awesome songs from Jim Steinman. Talk about a nice guy. He was in town today to find new songs for his new album. I was so excited to get to play him songs. It was a little weird though; they wanted mostly uptempos. That is a hard pitch for him because most of his hits were these great theatrical ballads. Debbie dared me to ask him what was the thing he wouldn't do in the song "I Won't Do That". I went in but just couldn't ask! So I have to pay off my bet with her damn it. I wanted to tell him how much I enjoyed him in the movie "Fight Club" and in "Crazy in Alabama", but I didn't say that either. I guess I was nervous. Anyway, hope all is well. Cross your fingers for a Meat Loaf cut! Jason

I wrote with a new artist in town today...

Hey guys,

It's been a long day. I wrote with a new artist in town today named Craig Campbell. He has one of the best country voices that I've heard in a very long time. I'm going to bet on this kid!!! Ya'll be listening and on the look out for him. Then I finished the day with another co-write with my buddy Marty Dodson. Marty and I wrote "Must Be Doin' Something Right" together. We are trying to finish a song to pitch to Jason Aldean before he cuts on the 26th!

Tomorrow, I'm writing with one of my favorite people and one of the greatest talents to ever step into Nashville. That is with my friend Jason Sellers. This guy has an incredible voice....still amazes me that he is not the biggest thing since sliced bread. But sometimes, that is how Nashville works.

Jason and I just got our first cut together. We co-wrote the only outside song on the new Chuck Wicks album. That song is called "If We Loved". I have another song on Chuck's album called "Mine all Mine". I love these two songs and am honored to be on Chuck's record. He also is an amazing talent and one for the funniest guys I've ever met. I kid him about being from Delaware....I tell him he should tell everyone he's from Delaware Mississippi!

Well I've got a new video game that I've got to get back to. All ya'll out there that are into XBOX let me know. If I could do anything else in this life, I'd love to test video games for a living.

Best,

Jason

Left out last night with Luke Bryan...

Hey guys,

Left out last night with Luke Bryan for a couple of shows. We are doing a little writing on the road.

Our first stop is in Rockford Illinois for a show tonight!

Most of you know I co-wrote "Country Man" with Luke. It's one of the many great songs we have together. "Country Man" hit 1 on the Music Row Chart this week....but we still need to push it strong to get on up the national charts where it sits at 15....so everyone, call or e-mail your favorite radio station and

request "COUNTRY MAN"!!!! Cause Luke and I know we don't have no tape player haters out there!

Talk back and let us know what you are thinking!

Jason

Writin' Away...

Hey guys!
So, this is a blog, huh? I have to admit, though I was an English major, and now a professional songwriter, I don't know much about them, but here I am.

My name is Jason Matthews, and as previously stated, I am a songwriter, living in Nashville, and making a pretty good living off of something that luckily my publishers consider "work".

I've had a lot of ups and downs, but have been pretty lucky overall- I've had multiple hits with multiple artists- Billy Currington "Must Be Doin' Something Right", Julie Roberts "Break Down Here", Kevin Denny "That's Just Jessie". It's been amazing, to say the least.

And now, here I am, reaching towards another goal- to be an artist myself; cut out the middle man; take center-stage. I'm definitely more than ready. There's something about being a writer and having to give up your "babies" to someone else. Yeah, you're always proud about where your songs go, and how they reach people, but you always kind of wish you weren't standing in the shadows. So, here I am with my first CD- "Hicotine". It's on itunes and everywhere else, so if you all are interested in it, I'd love to have you check it out.

My flagship single, "That's What Mamas Do" is particularly close to my heart... My wife Debbie and I got sad news a few years ago when we learned Debbie's mother was diagnosed with Cancer- the bad kind. When I heard, I did the only thing I know how to do, and went to my writing room, closed the door, and let "That's What Mamas Do" just fall out of me. It was originally meant to be an ode to Debbie's mother, but it turned out to hit a lot of people, and became somewhat of an anthem for mothers everywhere. I'd love if you could check it out. The response has been tremendous and overwhelming, and I'm so proud of this song.

Anyway, I hope you all will stay tuned for more news, adventures and overall commentary on life. And if you ever feel like taking a listen, visit www.patrickjasonmatthews.com or www.myspace.com/patrickjasonmatthews. Be sure to let me know what you think :)

Stay tuned...