Christmastime Is Here :-)

Hey Guys!

It's that time of year again! Can you believe it? I know it's been a while since I've "Blah"ged, and it's been for good reason...Well most of the time.

We made another rewarding trip to Nashville where I got to work with the AMAZING Bekka Bramlett! She graced my record with her incredible voice. We also got her husband Tom Britt to play some slide for the project, so that concludes the record pretty much. I'm in the process of working with Matt York on the artwork, so it's sinking in that we're almost at the finish line. It's a little sad, but I'm already thinking about the next record :-) He he!

Me & Tom Britt

Miss Bekka & Me :-) She is as much fun as she looks in this picture!

One of Bekka's crazy doggies giving me a kiss

On a side note, you'll be noticing some changes with the site, the Blagh, and Myspace etc. in the coming new year, when we release the record. I'll be sure to post times and dates when things might be down, and I assure you it'll only be down for a short while here and there while the changes are being made.

Other than that, I just want to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you are able to spend time with the one's you love the most this holiday season.

I'll be in touch in 2009!

Holiday Cheers & Hugs to all,

Mati

Long Time, No Blahg!

Wow! It's been awhile eh?

I haven't been ignoring you, I've just been real busy this summer. Did some festivals, saw some great shows including Robert Cray and Mavis Staples. Oh my God! I am soooo diggin' Mavis right now! In fact, I just got tickets for her and James Hunter at Massey Hall for this coming March! The record is almost ready to go, along with a really awesome new web site! The new site is so cool, I can't wait for everyone to see it. It's still being built though, so you'll have to wait :-P

JK and I just did a neat little gig in Orangeville, ON. this past Friday at a place called Seasons. It's a wee little place that holds 25 if they are lucky, but I am telling you, the food there is sooooo AMAZING!! It's truly the most gourmet food I have ever had! Being a musician, I consume a lot of pizza and fish and chips, so pan roasted quail and scallops the size of my head were really awesome! I can't wait to go back!

Let's see, what else is happening?

I'm just getting ready to re-release "Let's Make A Baby King" for this holiday season. I can't believe how fast time goes. In just a couple months it's Christmas! Anyway...I gotta run for now, but I'll leave you with some summer time memories....

This is a video during soundcheck at the Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival

Me jammin' in Orangeville :-)

An Article from the Blues at Blue Music Festival

Miss Mavis :-)

New Nashville Video!

Here's some video of me singing with Jonell Mosser at the Lipstick Lounge in Nashville back in May. I'll update you more on this trip and some other exciting news when I have some time :-) Hope you enjoy the vid! Oh, yes! You may also notice I have added a new section on the sidebar callled "Video Of The Month" I have seen so many hysterical video clips lately, that I thought you might enjoy :-)

Cheers my friends!

Mati

Longtime Gone!

It's taken me awhile (and a computer crash) to finally get a quiet moment to write, but tonight I have forced myself into making a quiet moment where I can catch you up on what I've been up to.

Well first thing's first, last month I was in Nashville where we added some smokin' horns and the most brilliant vocals I've ever heard to this ever growing project o' mine. I have to kind of laugh these days, because what started off as being a small roots project, has turned into quite a big project with horn arrangements and string sections...It's such a blast :-)

L to R: Ann, Regina & Alfreda McCrary

The wonderfully talented, beautiful, and just about the sweetest ladies I've had the privilege of meeting, McCrary sisters. Not too mention they are the daughters of the legendary Fairfield Four's Reverend Sam McCrary.

L to R: Jim Hoke, Steve Herrman & Roy Agee

The boys layin' it down :-)

I'm back to Nashvegas in May to do the string section with the wonderful John Mock helping us. I'm pretty excited about this, as there's nothing more beautiful than a live string section.

I did have more photos, however I lost a few when my computer went down. Fortunately, I backed up a lot of stuff before the crash, so that was good! I had a wonderful experience the last trip. I got to meet one of my newest idols Mike Farris. This guy is so fantastic!! Hearing him, I got the same feeling when I first heard John Cowan. He just blows me away, and his record "Salvation in Lights" is a must have! Then if seeing him wasn't enough, after his show at 3rd & Lindsley, the Fairfield Four took the stage. They are an accapella gospel group of five black gentlemen, and they just melted my heart! You might know them from there appearance in "O' Brother Where Art Thou?" They were so incredible. It was a really special time in town. I can't wait to get back.

Mike "You gotta hear this guy!" Farris

Anyway....I gotta run for now! Actually, I gotta go to bed....I have an early studio morning, and lots of singin' to do :-)

Cheers & hugs to all!

Mati

Video

Hey gang!

Here's a little taste of the new version of "Blessing." I had the wonderful privilege of recording it live with Jonell Mosser my last trip to Nashville a few weeks ago. It certainly was a dream come true for me to be able to sing with her, as she's been the biggest influence on my music for about the past 5 or 6 years. A career highlight for me for sure! I also got to sing with my other big hero, John Cowan....Photos below :-) I'm off to Nashville again in just a few days to start putting some final touches on the record; horns and some more vocals....I can't wait for this trip! I will be sure to blog when I return home :-)

Me and John Cowan

Me and John Mills

JK and John workin' away :-)