With an incredible talent for engaging lyrics and a rich voice reminiscent of Chris Stapleton, Matt Rogers is a country artist that you need to have on your radar. Already acknowledged by NSAI, CMT and others, Rogers keeps his eyes on his craft, his connections with other artists, and his fans. A road warrior, Rogers covers the country whether it be his own shows or opening for artists such as Clay Walker, Jake Owen, Cole Swindell, LOCASH and Michael Ray. He’s currently out on tour promoting his fun summer single of the same name, “Burn The Boat,” which he co-wrote with Angela Marie.
We caught up with the Peach State native to talk about his journey to Music City, his songwriting and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
MR: I’m a singer songwriter from Georgia who packed up a little over four years ago, left the medical field, and started making and playing music full-time.
CN: You grew up in Georgia, a state that has roots in all genres of music – do you remember the moment you discovered music?
MR: I don’t recall an exact moment, but there is something about Georgia and the musical roots there. I was introduced to a very broad spectrum of music in my upbringing that really helped influence what I’m doing now.
CN: What was the first album you’ve ever purchased?
MR: I had quite the cassette collection. I couldn’t tell ya now which was first but there were a few that I wore out. Alan Jackson “Living On Love” and Clint Black “Like the Rain,” I probably know every note on the record.
CN: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career as a musician?
MR: I always loved playing. That was the catalyst. I was playing out and put a band together in Macon, Georgia after I came home from college. It just started growing and we started playing further and further out of town every weekend. I started taking trips to Nashville to network, take meetings, record, and get my feet wet. I finally decided if I was going to really do this, I needed to jump in head first. So I made the move in 2015 and haven’t looked back.
CN: Which musicians, country or not, have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
MR: That list is so so very long. I always felt the performances from the Allman Brothers Band. I would have to say Eagles too. I have found myself digging deeper and deeper into the best songwriters over the years and those are the people that inspire me most.
CN: At what point did you decide to move to Nashville?
MR: It was the summer of 2015, I had release a song called “I Was Raised” at the end of 2014 that had drawn some folks other than my friends to my music. Those events, on top of getting some better shows, and the ground work I had already put in by visiting Nashville, I made the decision to get on up here and start writing my tail off.
CN: Anyone who’s listened to Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Rhett Akins, and ZBB (just to name a few) know that those who hail from Georgia are very proud of their homestate. How do you pay tribute to GA through your work?
MR: I am incredibly proud to be from Georgia. I always try to sneak it into a song. I released a song last year called “Peaches and Pecans” that is just filled with all things Georgia. I have had several people want to use it for advertisement and things like that back home which is a cool feeling too.
CN: With Music City SongStar Winner and NSAI Top-40 songwriter titles to your name, your resume is more than impressive. How does it feel to be acknowledged for your talents by not only such organizations as the NSAI but also having country greats like T.G.Sheppard praise your writing and singing, saying you’re the “whole package”?
MR: Those are great feelings, but I honestly try to not concentrate on that kind of stuff. If you’re in the town for awards, fame, money, etc., you’re here for the wrong reasons. That being said, I have tried to learn the business as fast and as well as I can, because I would love for this to be sustainable for a career; however, I want to be as good as I can be. In this town, there is no lack of inspirational talent. I want to keep pushing myself to write better songs, play better parts, record better, be better.
CN: Please take us through your song writing process. Do you draw mostly from personal experiences, or from those around you?
MR: My writing process makes my own head hurt so trying to explain it could cause a meltdown, haha. But I draw from different things. I find writing what you know makes a difference in how you sell it, and in turn, how people respond to it. I like writing about personal experiences because those experiences are inherently unique, but some how, sometimes, very relatable.
CN: Your latest single “Burn the Boat” made Buzzfeed’s “Top 10 Hottest Country Summer Jams.” Can you tell us a little about the track which you co-wrote with Angela Marie?
MR: I have to admit, it is a fun summer song. Angela brought me the idea from something her boyfriend had told her of how Vikings would burn their boats when heading into battle to symbolize they would not retreat or surrender. It seemed a little heavy content for the particular mood we were in. We played around with the idea and stumbled on the idea of never leaving paradise.
CN: The single is also the namesake for your current tour, which currently runs through October. How excited are you to bring this song out to your fans, as you have one of the most dedicated fan-bases in country music? Any chance you’ll be expanding to other cities across of the country?
MR: We try our best to keep growing! We have made some awesome friends/fans over the last couple of years and plan on bringing them a better show every time we come back to their neck of the woods. We are currently working on some new regions and areas to visit and seeing if we can introduce my brand of country to um.
CN: Do you have a dream collaboration in mind?
MR: Man that is a question. I would have to say Zac Brown would be on the list. He does quite a bit of collaboration, but I’ve always looked up to him, from seeing him play a couple nights a week at his little bar/restaurant where I am from, to selling out amphitheaters, he’s always been a guy that just kinda gets it. He’s not afraid to try new sounds, songs, or styles. It makes for great records. Eric Church is also one of those guys to me. They both have put so much good music out into the world.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
MR: Aware. I feel like I have always been very honest with myself and try to not be naive to things I need to be working on and places of weakness. I also have worked very hard to understand the music business and keep my finger on the pulse of what is happening there. I try my best to stay plugged in to whats going on around me.
CN: What was the first concert you ever attended?
MR: Alan Jackson at the Macon Coliseum.
CN: What’s next on the horizon? Does the new single lead to a new EP perhaps?
MR: Potentially. I have a project in mind, but no release date or name etc. It doesn’t really have much to do with the last couple of singles I’ve released. I just thought they were good songs I wanted to have out.
For more information on Matt Rogers, visit his website at www.mattrogerscountry.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.