News

So, I got an email the other day from these wonderful folks over at the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. They wanted to feature a song I co-wrote, “Too Much Going On” on their website for the entire month of February. I was honored and a little surprised. Now that it’s up, you can go stream or download it if you like (link below). But I hope you scroll to the bottom and read the comments. There are these amazing  interpretations and explanations about how it makes people feel. Strange how the world spins unexpectedly to put a song right in front of someone that needs it. Very humbled by the honor. franciscanizedworld.fscc-calledtobe.org/2015/01/franciscan-free-song-too-much-going-on-by-matt-harlan/

Well, I guess it’s time to bid farewell to another wonderful year. 2014 treated me better than I could have predicted: I celebrated the release of a new album (debuted at #1 on the Euro Americana Chart and recently ranked #120 out of 500+ in a No Depression reader’s poll for best of 2014), re-discovered the kindness of innumerable fans / friends on the road, and uncovered the added kindness of strangers that pitched in when my guitar was stolen…there’s way too many things for a single blog post. Let’s just say, “It was a pretty good year.” But before we sing Auld Lang Syne, I have a few more shows on the books, including a New Year’s Eve show at Anderson Fair in Houston. If you’re looking for a folky way to ring in the new one, we’ll all be having a fair(ly) great time over there. Otherwise, see you in 2015!

Everyone knows how the Christmas lights start going up right after Thanksgiving. But not everyone’s familiar with the musical tradition of the Toys for Tots benefit show. The same time folks start unraveling their strands of lights, there’s other folks bringing unwrapped toys as admission to hear some great music. I’m doing two of these this year…one at the Beer Joint in College Station on 11/29…then another at Sam’s Burger Joint in San Antonio. Both shows are packed with talent, but don’t take my word for it…check out their web sites…then grab a toy and join the fun!

Wow. After some recent ups and downs I got some amazing news this week in my inbox. Apparently I’m sitting in good company as a semi-finalist in the American Songwriter 30th Anniversary Song Contest! I can’t help thinking WWJLS (What Would Jim Lauderdale Say)? I know what he’d say: That’s Americana! Check out the other semi-finalists here: www.americansongwriter.com/2014/11/announcing-30th-anniversary-song-contest-genre-semi-finalists/

Alright y’all, I’m really looking forward to finally getting a chance to share the stage with the imitable Walt Wilkins! This Thursday (11/20) in Galveston Walt and I will be playing songs to benefit the TWELVE project (www.twelvepeople.org/). So if you’re into the whole long-haired Texas songwriter thing, I think this show is for you.