Thanks for your interest. I’ve been writing these songs and singing them to myself for a couple of years. By day, I’m a full-time family physician in Greenville, Texas www.pcagrvl.com/koger.html . By night, I’m a husband and father of 4.
I bought my first guitar in 2001 and learned my first few chords from my friend Alan Clark. The first song I ever wrote was about a patient. I find songwriting an interesting escape but have always been drawn to true experiences as inspiration. I haven’t had much interest or luck in just trying to make up things to sing about. I think that authenticity can be heard in most of the songs.
The growth of my songwriting has been direclty related to the encouragement of several close friends. However, its easy to put too much confidence in folks that just aren’t that objective. So, In the spring of 05, I entered some songs in a "play for publishers" contest and was invited to Austin for a weekend of doing just that. That went well, and I was invited to Nashville in October of 05. All in all, I think it was a great experience. That being said, the most important revelation was how glad I was that I wasn’t trying to make a living in music. "Commercial" seems to be the word everyone works to hear. I just like writing the songs my way (most are decidedly non-commercial).
The BLACKLAND project got started through encouragement from the same groups of friends but really is a result of my collaborative efforts with John Kent. John, being steeped in the alt-rock world, was able to bring a whole new piont of view to the music. Although I wrote all the songs, his producing skills really helped the songs to find their true sound. I honestly could not be more happy or proud of the way the record turned out.
Well Matt, can you believe there is a place in Tyler that will host my music? This is in a warehouse behind the old Borden milk factory. Be sure to bring the wife and kids. Hope you are doing well.
Well Matt, this may be as close as I get to a billboard on a major interstate. If you can make it, that would be fantastic. Got a light show and everything. If I get a show in Dallas, you wont have any excuses. Time to rock...or whatever you want to call what I do.
Thanks Matt for the honor of a friend request. You already know I am a big fan of yours--what a great, unique voice you have as a singer and writer! Can't wait to be with you and everyone Aug 2 at Stonewall Music Hall.
Tell your friends, family, coworkers, and even people you don't know or particularly care for to vote for Ryan T Briggs & the Redneck Hippies for LIVE BAND OF THE YEAR!!
Matt!! It's Jess Elam...how are you?? Mom has been sending me your updates and burned me a copy of your c.d....I LOVE it. Hope all is well in Texas; I'm in LA now, managing actors and writers and it's going really well. I love it here. I hope Mom and I can come to Greenville sometime...we would love to see everyone.
Thanks Matt. Looking forward to the new one. Looks like you are colecting material for your DVD as well. And then...the Koger box set. And don't forget the action figure.
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