Guestbook

<p>Most of my songs come to me complete with lyrics and music. I even hear the various instruments.&nbsp; I write from my heart, I don't follow the rules.&nbsp; I've been told that I write 'old school' which is almost a lost art today so I'm glad I have that ability.&nbsp; I let the music take me where it leads.&nbsp; That's why there is so much variety in my music and lyrics.&nbsp; When I am approached to write a song for a specific event or theme I research thoroughly before I begin.&nbsp; A good example of this is Walking Across America.&nbsp; I have been told many times that I have a unique vocal sound.&nbsp; I just don't sound like anyone else on the radio. My background of over 40&nbsp; years in EMS provides a unique flavor to my music.&nbsp;</p><p>My music has been described as everything from Country Americana, Folk, to Old Rock style.&nbsp; My voice has been compared to a cross between Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Tracey Byrd.&nbsp; Almost all of my songs are story songs with a lot of them revolving around the civil service and emergency response fields.&nbsp; I have a little Gospel, a little Spoken Word, a lot of Modern Country, mixed in with my tributes to our Country, Fire Fighters, EMS, Police, and Military personnel.</p><p>Currently I'm not performing with a band.&nbsp; I have been performing as an individual artist since 2005 at a wide variety of venues including EMS expos, clubs, and events in several states and on the grounds of the US Capital.&nbsp;</p><p>No one other than God deserves more glory than those who risk their lives every day for us.&nbsp; God bless them and theirs as they give their all to protect and serve us.</p><p>Many Thanks To: Ron &amp; Ellen Gallegos - for building my comfort level while performing on stage, teaching me new guitar skills.&nbsp; Larry Wortinger - for inviting me to Scotts Jammin' and getting me back into performing which lead to writing.&nbsp; Matt Schwartz - for dragging me on stage and inspiring me to perform again.&nbsp; And all of them for being good friends over the years.</p><p>I am still an active EMT and I was at Delton Ambulance Service in Delton, MI until they were forced to close their doors due to financial difficulties.&nbsp; I have been an EMT for over thirty years and in EMS for more than forty years.</p><p>I am in charge of safety at US-131 MotorSports Park in Martin, MI just outside of Grand Rapids, MI.&nbsp; The IHRA sanctioned track hosts two national IHRA events each year and hosted Pinks All Out in 2009.&nbsp; US-131 hosted the 2010 B-93 Birthday Bash put on by Clear Channel and B-93.7 PM the nations biggest and best free country music bash!</p><p>I enjoy Performing, Playing and Writing Music!&nbsp; Mentoring my young colleagues and counseling my peers through my music and otherwise.&nbsp; I am currently trying to get all the support I can to push my music career and gain National attention in my quest to get a label or financial backing or sponsorship so I can Record and possibly tour. I have played all over the U.S. on my dime including the U.S. Capital on the West Lawn of the Capital for Senate Reform for Child Rights, Neglect, and Abuse by Parents, Family, the Legal System and DCF/DCS. I was honored to be invited by T.K. and The Free The Children Coalition. I apologize that I could not afford to make the trip again without funding in 2010.</p><p>I have been recognized by President George W. Bush and The City of New York Fire Department Counseling Services Unit in 2005 for my song, "Tribute To EMS" which is used around the country to council EMS and Fire Personnel.&nbsp; I would love to find a band to back me or put my own band together for touring, shows, and performing. I visit the local fire houses and EMS stations everywhere I go spending time with the Guys and Gals that serve us so proudly.</p><p>I have written fifty songs and counting, not counting the nine I co-wrote in Nashville, three of which ("You're My Miracle", "Sugar and Spice", and "Angels In An Ambulance&quot are on my Youtube page.</p><p>I do have a self released CD "Memories Of You" available through CD Baby and Amazon.com.&nbsp; "Memories Of You" was cut in a friend's basement studio in 2006 because I wanted to get Tribute to EMS and Reflections Of An EMT out to the world.&nbsp; "Memories Of You" contains contains twelve tracks, eight originals ("Memories Of You", "Tribute To EMS", "Just Looking For A Woman Like You", "We've Got To Hide What We're Doing", "I Had A Dream", "Reflections of An EMT", and the Instrumental, "A Song For Ruth&quot along with four covers ("Last Kiss, "That's Alright Mama", "Teddy Bear", and "Searate Ways")</p><p>I was represented by A.D.N.&nbsp; The (Artist Development Network) out of Nashville, TN in my quest for a label.&nbsp; I am managed out of Raleigh, North Carolina by my son, Chris Mathews whom you may contact at bronchoaudio@yahoo.com or at 1-919-871-3119 to book, sign, or support me in any way. I live in Charleston Township just outside the small town of Galesburg, Mi although I claim Kalamazoo, MI as my home town as many people have no clue where Galesburg is located.&nbsp; I am available via my cell phone at 1-269-370-8144 or at donmathewsenterprise@yahoo.com.</p><p>I have to thank David Harper &amp; Kathy Lemmon of A.D.N. The Artist Development Network in Nashville, TN for taking a chance on me and doing all they can to polsih me up and push me to the labels.&nbsp; I know they are working hard on my behalf.</p><p>I would like to thank Kate Bradley of Outlandous Music and the Insiders Network for all of the time and advice she has given us.</p><p>I have spent forty years in EMS with over thirty being an EMT and counting.&nbsp; Despite politics on the job and in the world I have grown to respect and my brothers and sisters that I work with and have worked with that serve our public and our country every day.&nbsp; All emergency response and military personnel should be commended for what they do every day.&nbsp; I salute them and anyone and everyone that celebrates them and their careers through music or otherwise.</p><p>On that note I would like to give a shout out to first and foremost Sequoyah Rain whom I would love to meet and perform with.&nbsp; They, like me, are also from the EMS field and their song "The Angel" really hits home and is my favorites along with Thrice's "Artist In The Ambulance". Also, Carrissa Amberly's "Some Heroes Don't Come Back", Billy Ray Cyrus "Some Gave All" and many others.&nbsp; "So when you hear that choir of sinrens get out of the way; When you see those halos flashing say a prayer we make it back OK!" - Angels In An Ambulance- (EMT Singer Songwriter - Don Mathews)</p><p>Special Thanks to my friends Peter Miller (Lead Guitar) of the alt rock band "Wholesome News" who spent a lot of time working with me in Raleigh, NC on a demo project along with Lisa Lofchie (Harmonica), and Bill Olding (Bass Guitar) who also recorded and produced everything you hear on my site, minus my three Nashville releases ("Angels In An Ambulance", "Sugar &amp; Spice", and "You're My Miracle").</p><p>My three Nashville recordings were recorded and produced in Nashville, TN through A.D.N. at Pat Holt Studio who has recorded for Johnny Cash, Dr. Hook, Trick Pony, Paul McCartney &amp; Wings, Sammy Kershaw, Kenny Rogers, Jerry Reed, Ray Stevens, George Jones, and Lee Greenwood, just to name a few!</p><p>Terry Feller (Drums): "I've played music (drums) for a living since 2 weeks after graduating high school in 1972.&nbsp; I've played behind chicken wire in Kentucky (just like in Blues's Brothers), and in front of 80,000 people (somewhere I can't remember).&nbsp; I've worked from the bottom of South Africa, to above the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territory of Canada.&nbsp; I recorded a live show with David Allan Coe on the French Riviera (whoa that's a bit paradoxical), and I've played at Tootsie's (the "armpit" on lower Broadway in Nashville).&nbsp; And at some point I've worked in most all the studios in Nashville.&nbsp; I've been allowed to work with some of my biggest heroes, and I call some of the greatest musicians, singers and engineers in the world, my friends.&nbsp;&nbsp; And until I said that, I'd almost come to take it for granted... but I just remembered, the caliber of talent that exists within that esteemed group cannot be measured by anything my mind can fathom."</p><p>Pat Severs (Acoustic Guitar, Steel Guitar, Dobro)</p><p>Mike Joyce (Bass Guitar)</p><p>Chris Leuzinger (Lead Guitar) who has recorded with and played lead for Kathy Mattea, Emmy Lou Harris (Richard Bennett co-producing) and Hal Ketchum (Jim Rooney co-producing) as well as many other artists with different producers.&nbsp; Garth Brooks for over 18 years with Garth using the same band on all his CDs except the Chris Gaines Project.&nbsp; Hank Williams Jr, George Strait, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, Montgomery Gentry, Seals and Croft, Brewer and Shipley, Dan Seals, Alabama, Trisha yearwood, George Jones, Brooks and Dunn, Riders In The Sky, Tanya Tucker, Chris Cagle, Billy Dean, Olivia Newton John, Marie Osmond, Huey Lewis, &amp; Brian White.</p><p>Shane Keister (Piano, Keys) who has recorded with Alabama, Alan Jackson, Andy Williams, Anita Baker, Anne Murray, Barbara Mandrell, Billy Joel, Billy Ray Cyrus, BJ Thomas, Bobby Bare, Celine Dion, Charlie Daniels, Charley Pride, Chet Atkins, Clay Walker, Clint Black, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, David Allen Coe, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Doug Kershaw, Dr Hook, Earl Scruggs, Eddie Rabbit, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Five For Fighting, Foghat, George Jones, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams Jr, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Reed, Jimmy Buffett, Joe Cocker, Joe Nichols, Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, Johnny Van Zandt, Kenny Rogers, Kevin Bacon, Kim Carnes, Kris Kristofferson, Larry Gatlin, Lionel Richie, Loretta Lynn, Mandy Moore, Marty Robbins, Mel Tillis, Michael W. Smith, Olivia Newton John, Pam Tillis, Pat Boone, Paul McCartney, Paul Overstreet, Point of Grace, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Ricky Scaggs, Ronnie Milsap, Rosanne Cash, Rosie O'Donnell, Sawyer Brown, Sheena Easton, Tanya Tucker, The Judds, The Mandrell Sisters, The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, and many others.</p><p>It was a real honor to have them come on board for my project. I am honored they chose to record with me when they had so many other options at the time.</p><p>I would like to give a shout out to all of the places that I have had the honor to play in 2008-2009 starting with Topeka, Kansas; Raleigh, North Carolina, Milwaukee, WIsconsin; Niles, Ohio; Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Comstock, Michigan, Martin, Michigan; Galesburg, Michigan ; Richland, Michigan; Scotts, Michigan; Assyria, Michigan; Bedford, Michigan; Washington D.C. on the West Capital Lawn for Senate Reform For Children's Rights.</p><p>A very special thanks to the many great bands and performers that I am proud to call friends that have helped me or performed with me along the way, in no particular order;</p><p>Michael Danchi (Violin Artist &amp; Composer) of IPM Production who recorded and performed with me on a demo project.</p><p>Peter Miller &amp; Jeff Human of Wholesome News.&nbsp; Pete and Jeff also host a couple of Open Mics in Raleigh, NC, including The Big Easy on Fayetteville St. on Thursday nights.</p><p>Dave Krause, Mendi Baron, Elizabeth Salvatico, DJ N'Lyte, Christ Like Music Group whom I had the privilege of performing with in Washington, D.C.</p><p>Alex Koman - who is a great guy and awesome alt-rock singer songwriter and also a very good friend!&nbsp; Good luck in New York!</p><p>Fates Burden - who are truly one of the best metal bands I have ever heard, and that is saying a lot!</p><p>Jordan Okrend who Performed with me at The Oliver Twist Lounge (check out "Going Back to Iraq" live at The Oliver Twist Lounge). Jordan is one of the best 16 year old lead guitarists you will ever hear!</p><p>The Berkeley House Band, and many others.</p><p>I would like to plug David Rose &amp; Amy Cox of Deep South The Bar, and Deep South Entertainment, who so graciously hosted me and many other artists on Tuesday nights during my three month stay in Raleigh, NC.</p>