Matt Manning.Com - Biography Of The Irish born singer/songwriter

Musical Career

Matt Manning was born in Cork City, Ireland and now resides in El Cajon,California.
His first endeavour in things ' musical ' was an effort to scribble down the lyrics to the
Jim Reeves classic ' He'll have to go '.

Still at a very young age he became interested in the music ofThe Rolling Stones, The Beatles, John Mayall, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters,
Jimi Hendrix, Sean O' Rioda and much later people like
Archie Fisher, Bob Dylan, John Prine, Paul Brady and The O' Kanes.

During this early stage, Matt played in blues, rock bands on the local scene around Cork City, Ireland.
Then Matt " took the soup " as he says himself, and joined a Showband.

(to ' Take The Soup ' is an old Irish expression meaning to compromise oneself, to sell out,
in this case to compromise musical integrity)

After many a year trudging the highways and byways of Ireland,
Matt was enlisted by Jim McCann as part of his new group.
Jim McCann had just spent five years with 'The Dubliners' and was now setting up his own outfit.
This new group consisted of Jim, Matt and Eamon Campbell (now a member of The Dubliners himself)
The trio had some very successful years together.

Next on the agenda for Matt was a stint with top Irish folk/rock group Spud.
This was followed by a country/bluegrass outfit named Bloom.
Then followed the round of folk clubs with Irish musician Pat Armstrong (Makem&Clancy, Mary Black,etc)

Despite enjoying most of this time musically, Matt began to feel more and more alienated from the music industry.
This alienation was a result of many things, including a clear lack of musical direction as well as an excess of what can, euphemistically, be called " The Rock and Roll Lifestyle ".
In 1988 Matt left Ireland and moved to London. By the time the 90s arrived, his attitude was changing. Having turned completely away from the lifestyle,
he was slowly rediscovering his love of music. He began to discover a creative voice that was uniquely his own,
a voice that had grown out of his own experiences, beliefs and perceptions.From this creativity sprang songs such
as"Waltzin An Angel" "I’ll Love you Still", "Strange Kinda Love" and "Run Amigo Run".
Songs that, although deeply personal, touched a nerve with the listener, about subjects they could relate to.

1994 saw Matt journey to New York City.
A series of recordings were made of Matt's original songs.
These sessions were produced by U.S record producer Chris Murphy.
The recording sessions featured the outstanding musical talents of
Eric Della Penna: guitar, lap steel, harmonica ( Joan Osborne/Natalie Merchant)
Trevor Hutchingson: double bass (The Waterboys/Lunasa)
Steve Holly: drums (Paul McCartney and Wings)

The following year, 1995, Matt went to Phoenix, Arizona, in the company of award winning
Irish record producer, P.J.Curtis, (Altan/Davy Spillane/Maura O'Connell,etc)
A series of recordings were produced by P.J. featuring the late/great Ed Black on dobro,
Dr. Peter Rollins - Violin/viola, Brian Baynes- guitar and Kyle Harris-double bass.
These recordings were made at Kyle Harris' Playr Recording Studio, Phoenix.
One of these recordings, entitled 'Run Amigo Run' won the IMRO national songwriting contest,1995
and in recent months fearured in a New York stage play.
click on titles to play tracks
Run Amigo Run:
I'll be lovin' you:
False Accusations:
Blackbird:
I'll love you still:
Walk this road with me:
On returning to Ireland Matt Manning signed a three album record deal with
Round Tower Music, owned by Clive Hudson, former head of Warner Bros, Ireland.
(artists on Round Tower at that time included Tom Russell,Tom Pacheco,
Albert Lee, Katy Moffet, Kieran Kane, Mick Hanly, Dolores Keane, Ian & Sylvia Tyson amongst others)

In 1996 Matt's debut solo album entitled "Waltzin an Angel' was released on the Round Tower Music label.
This album featured a host of top Irish musical talent including,
Mick Hanly (Moving Hearts)
Jimmy Faulkner (Christy Moore/Paul Brady, etc)
Charlie McGettigan, Mick Kinsella, Donie Moore,
Jimmy O'Brian Moran, Martin Murry and Gina.
The album was produced by English producer John B. Spencer.
The title track was a major radio hit in Ireland.

Since then, 'Waltzin' An Angel' has been recorded by various artists on both sides of the Atlantic,
This song may now be regarded as a classic.

At present Matt is living in El Cajon, California.
During his time here he has produced and arranged albums for other people,
these sessions offered Matt the opportunity to work with the likes of Bruce Hornsby, Jackson Browne,
Kieran Kane, Daryl Johnson, ( Emmylou Harris & Spyboy / Neville Bros) Dennis Caplinger,
Larry Dent, Mick Hanly, Steve Poltz, and once more with P.J. Curtis plus a host of others.

Christmas 2000, saw the release in Ireland of the first Matt Manning recording since 1996.
This is another original entitled 'Do you still believe in Christmas'

Matt has toured all over the world playing major concert venues with the likes of
The Jim McCann Band and Spud.
In recent years as a solo artist, Matt has performed at venues such as Whelans / Dublin,
The Bluebird Cafe / Nashville, Roisin Dubh / Galway,
The Lobby / Triskel Arts Centre / Everyman Theatre/ Cork,
The Red Lion, Greenwich Village, The Empire / Belfast, The Borderline / London,
and so on.

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