By Danny Coleman
originally published: 05/02/2015
"Sixteen years now," says nineteen year old guitar phenom Matthew Curry in reference to how long he's been playing his instrument. "My dad played; it's the reason why I started. His dad played and that's it as far as music goes in my family but I do have a twin brother who is a pretty good drummer."
This incredibly talented "Young Gun" as he's being called; has been turning heads for years. Currently on tour opening for the Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band and Don Felder, Curry has also shared a stage with rock legend Peter Frampton. In a recent press release, Frampton was quoted as saying, “I see a big future for Matthew. Someone asked me in an interview if I thought there could be any more guitar heroes. Well, hell yes, of course, and Matthew is one who will prove that to be true.” "To be able to trade off licks with him was an honor," said an enthusiastic Curry. "That was just amazing! Peter is such a good guitar player; I was very honored to perform with him."
A product of Normal, Illinois; Curry has already rocked his way to stardom, usually reserved for veteran players, with relative ease; all in a music scene which is much different from what it used to be. "Normal is the twin city of Bloomington, Indiana. The music scene? Eh, it's not, well it is slowly getting worse," he stated rather sadly. "I used to be able to walk into a club and see a good band no matter where I went but not so much anymore. I'm not sure why that is, whether it's the lack of places to play that's shrinking or there's not as many artists out there; I just don't know."
Places to peddle his wares are not an issue for Curry as he's grown accustom to playing in front of large crowds. Be it while on the road with classic rock headliners or solo with his band mates; the kid from Normal is packing them in. Curry is quite often asked by the headliner to join them on stage and he is more than willing to accept. A combined exuberance for his instrument, and powerful vocals have drawn rave reviews from the old masters, audiences and peers alike; even causing Steve Miller to compare him to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Miller throws about terms like "Virtuosity" and "Originality" when comparing this up and comer to the newly elected Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame member. "Um, it's an, it's an honor that people think that...," and as his voice trailed off and as he was searching for the right words; one can sense the respect Curry has for those who have come before him and those who have taken him under their wing. "There are those who look at carrying a label like "Young Gun" or others as a burden; it's not baggage to me. Just knowing, being thought of that way is very enjoying. It was really exciting and continues to be very exciting and great to see and hang out with Steve and the Doobies; they are great guys and just incredible people. Being an Eagles fan, getting to meet Don Felder is huge for me. I have such respect for him as a guitarist; all those hits the Eagles had that he had a hand in were just amazing. I look forward to meeting him."
Curry has two CDs to his credit; his 2011 debut disc, "If I Don't Got You" and 2013's "Electric Religion." So how does a nineteen year old "Gunslinger" make his way into a full fledged tour supporting some of the biggest names in rock? Well, one way is to be named a member of Fender Guitar's "Brotherhood of The Guitar," an exclusive club usually reserved for those players whose age surpasses the amount of their fingers and toes. Perhaps also being part of Fender's "Accelerator Program," one of only ten "Emerging" artists to be chosen as such does it? Regardless of the how; the fact remains that Curry is the real deal and is about to become much busier. "Well, I've got a lot of stuff on the works right now, including new music; a lot of new music," he stated with both confidence and a chuckle. "I try to stay writing but it's hard to do with the tour and the such but I am writing new material and we have a video coming out and this next CD is hopefully going to be my best yet."
Most his age have the blues about something; school work, car troubles, relationships but not Curry. His sound is unrivaled in the genre and is deservedly turning heads. Molten guitar work mixed with vocals that have an edge unmatched by many are propelling him toward stardom at a rate not seen since Vaughn set the standard for modern blues players. What does this unassuming talent want from the future? "Well, hopefully my new music will be out and a radio hit or two would be nice!"
Matthew Curry is doing a series of solo shows intertwined with his major tour dates; one of which is Tuesday May 5 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. A rare chance these days to see him in a small venue, Curry is performing on the upstairs stage; an even more intimate setting. Tickets are a mere $10 with the doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show kicking off at 8 p.m. Go now because I can guarantee that you'll not be seeing Mattghew Curry for that price much longer!n
To discover more about this exceptional artist, please go to www.matthewcurry.com .
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Country" Ron Crites
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. After Dark
Tues. 8 p.m. Amviance the Duo
Wed. 7:30 p.m. Robert Bruce
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Fri. 9 p.m. DCDUO
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Centralia (Reunion Show), The heist, Freakswitch, War Among Us. All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Black Out Brandy, Swim, UMan Era, Lurk, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 4 p.m. Wretched, Dark Sermon, Dark Waters End, Panic, Thrashole, 609, Sycarian, Silent To Slaughter. All ages, $12/$14
Mon. 4 p.m. Lions Lions, Woven Neighbors, To Live As Wolves, Cedar Green, Hopeless Martyr, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Julian Pressley Alto Sax Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
City Streets
510 Route 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kim Yarson & John Bastiani
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" w/ Dave Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Johnny Moskal
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Dave Dzubinski Group (9 p.m.) Brian Eastburn
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Dick Gratton (3 p.m.) Dick Gratton
Mon. 8 p.m. The Keith Lesnik Trio
Tues. 8 p.m. Sister Blue
Wed. 8 p.m. Mia Johnson
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Thurs. Ladies Night
Sun. 4 p.m. Irish Sessions
Mon. Military Day
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Thurs. 9 p.m. Curtain Call
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Kim Yarson & Sandy Zio
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main Street. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Beat The Clock" College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Jumper
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out of Water
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Tues. 9:30 p.m. Cinco de Mayo TCNJ Dance Party
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. Tangled
Sat. 10 p.m. Kindred Spirit
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. Larry Mitchell Band
Fri. 9 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. (3 p.m.) Crosscut Saw (9 p.m.) Bottle Cap Rockets
Sun. (3 p.m.) David Falcone (9 p.m.) J & P's Comedy Presents: Kevin Downey Jr. feat. Jim Gallagher
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Tim
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Paint the Roses Tea and Café
37 West Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-8200
Sat. 11 a.m. Bryan Hill
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sensei Juan & The Black Belts
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Buffalo Trixx
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. F2 & The Anchovy Brothers
Randy Now's Man Cave
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check Web Site for Upcoming Events
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night"
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Kindred Spirit
All Shows 21+
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. No Limits
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Boxorox
Sat. 10 p.m. The Goods
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 8:30 p.m. Tune Trivia (10:30 p.m.) DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Vermilion/One Punch Mickey. All ages, doors at 7:30, $12 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Sat. 9 p.m. Alright Alright
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. (5 p.m.) Bill Shannon (9 p.m.) Diarmuid McSweeney
Sat. 9 p.m. Bill Shannon
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Kathy DeAngelo and Dennis Gormley
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic. w/ Hek Cat
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 7 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. The Underwater Sounds ($5 cover charge)
Sat. (1 p.m.)The Wallace Brothers Band (10 p.m.) Mammal Dap ($5 cover charge)
Tues. 9 p.m. Looseleaf trio
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
