September 6 2011

I am looking forward to the CCMA's in Hamilton this year! Should be a great event! Hope to see you there! 

March 13 2011 

Canadian Music Week 2011 was filled with cool showcases, meeting old friends and making new ones. Always a great time! 

May 30 2010

Tin Pan North 2010 is now in "the books". Thanks to all who participated, volunteered and to those that travelled to take part!

March 12 2010

Looking forward to another festival of TIN PAN NORTH 2010 with shows in London, Oakville and Toronto during the last week of May! 

January 1 2010 

Well Happy New Year everyone!!! May it be filled with greatest blessings. 

September 29 2009

Nashville was another fantastic trip. I finished my NSAI COORDINATOR training and am now OFFICIALLY the Coordinator for the Newest Ontario chapter, called " London / Waterloo "

This is big news for people who want to work with the NSAI framework to improve their networking, songwriting skills and craft. Look for new monthly seminars in the new year! 

July 12 2009

Fresh out of The SWAMP studio again! Another three demos complete! Thanks to my cowriter Bruce Madole!! We had a blast! And SPECIAL thanks to Shelly Rastin for her exceptional vocal talents! Check out the Music page for one of the new tunes called "THAT's LOVE" 

May 27 2009

SONG CAMP in Nashville is fast approaching. I am pleased to have received an advanced invitation to this fantastic Workshop!

May 23 2009

TIN PAN TEN North was an absolute success! With shows in front of the Eaton centre at Dundas Square, London Music Hall, Trane, Supermarket, Moonshine, and HUHGs it was a stacked Festival with overflow for talent! 

November 9 2008

TIN PAN North is on its tenth anniversary! I am on the Committee again, and, this year's TIN PAN is shaping up to be the best ever!  

September 12 2008

 Another CCMA has come and gone! What an exciting time it was! I met old friends and made some new ones. Perhaps the biggest thrill was meeting Randy Bachman and Donnie McDougall. The first piece of recorded music I ever owned was from the GUESS WHO. Randy was so polite and gracious with his time, and Donnie played and sang "STAR BABY" on my acoustic guitar back at the hotel jam! How cool is that?

I am looking forward to next year in Vancouver!

August 11 2008

Well I haven't really had any noteworthy stuff to add these last two months. I was doing some cool things such as being involved with backstage access to Sarnia BAYFEST.  Daphne Darling and Scott Manery opened for Rascal Flatts...that was a trip!!

I went to the Fergus Truck show and hooked up backstage with the band GORD BAMFORD; Mitch Merritt and Aaron Pritchett; as well as friends of mine STEELE COUNTY. Steele County performed a co-write tune near the end of their set Saturday night. That was pretty rewarding.

I also got back on the "Bar Stage" with none other the KID HAWK Robin Hawkins, at the GRAND HOTEL in Cambridge. We rocked the joint!

I have been busy writing, cataloging, and prepping for CCMA in Winnipeg in September.

I'll keep the updates coming! 

May 25 2008

TIN PAN NORTH was wonderful!! It was real cool to see some old friends, and make some new ones!!

I had the pleasure of playing guitar on Thursday at Dakota, Friday at Trane Studio, and Saturday at the Gala "HUGH's ROOM".

May 10 2008

I am real pleased with the outcome of several songs that I recently recorded. The new songs are posted on this website, on reverbnation, and on facebook.

Have a listen if you have the time!

April 19 2008

I am looking forward to getting into the studio! Look for new music on the website in May! 

February 24 2008

I have received some great news!!

Hit songwriter ALAN RHODY will be performing at the Moonshine in Oakville.

I have been asked to open for him. I couldn't be more pleased! It will be a night of first rate talent.

Alan has written with the best, including Harlan Howard, Bobbie Braddock and Keith Whitley.

He has cuts from MAJOR artists including George Jones, Toby Keith, Oak Ridge Boys, Del McCoury, Lorrie Morgan, Murray McLauchlan, and Tanya Tucker to name a few. 
Read more about Alan Rhody www.alanrhody.com  

January 29 2008

This year has started off well! I have picked up some new club dates continue to make new contacts. I am excited to have finally joined the NSAI!
I am looking forward to new shows; especially the Cancer Society "Jail and Bail" in Oakville and Tin Pan North 2008! I hope to see you at one of the shows!

December 31 2007

Happy New Year! Thank you to all that supported me this year by coming to my shows, writing with me, playing on stage or being a friend.
Special thanks go to the people that booked me into their shows...without you there would be NO STAGE TO PLAY!!!

From my family to you and yours "Health, Happiness and Prosperity in 2008"

December 6 2007

Thanks go out to the performers at last weeks MOONSHINE event. By all accounts it was a successful evening! Special thanks to John and Mary Jane for supporting live music.  

November 28 2007

Well I am excited about recording a live set off the floor of the Moonshine Cafe in Oakville.

Many talented friends have offered their support and will perform their own sets:

 Joe Forster
Mo Kauffey
David Leask
Jay Linden
Adrian Lobo
Bruce Madole
Lorne Ryder

Thank you for your time everyone! Let's have some fun!!

September 17 2007

I am proud to say that this CCMA in Regina was the most fun and productive one I have attended to date! I met some new friends. I was equally thrilled to see some people that I have developed friendships over the years through the CCMA. 

Highlights were:

meeting two famous Nashville writers; 

Don Schlitz "The Gambler" / "When you say nothing at all" ,
David Berg "Moments" / "Stupid Boy".
Thank you for being so approachable and helpful!

jamming in the Delta Regina Lobby until 6 a.m. with the Cruzeros and members of Desert Heat.

Drinking Beer...

Watching Terry Fernihough secure a hold on a tune he wrote and sang at CCMA. I played guitar for him and am delighted I could help him!

I didn't do too bad myself. I got some co-write offers and offers to pitch solo originals. I did a lot of networking too. Thank you to all the industry experts that took the time to listen and answer.

Jamming on stage at the Pump Roadhouse. Mark and Sean Smith...you ROCK!!! 

See everyone next year in Winnipeg!!

June 12 2007

"It's a 6 lb. 8 oz. Boy!!"

Thanks for all the prayers...you know who you are!

Mom and Baby are doing fine!

May 29 2007

"FRANK ROCKS"

Anyone who has been involved in Waterloo music scene knows Frank the blind keyboard player. Well, he is ill...with cancer. He endured an delicate, extensive operation and will need further treatment.

Cafe on King, the Golden Kiwi,  and Fox and the Firkin of Cambridge has offered live entertainment shows this weekend to assist in offsetting Franks Medical costs as he travels to London for treatment. Details are:

• "Robb Wildman and the Wicked"  Cafe on King @  9 p.m.
  50 / 50 draws and silent auctions, plus portion of sales
• "Matt Storch and the Usual Suspects" with full horn section
  Fiddle and Firkin @ 9 p.m.
• "Gabe Lee 3" featuring "Cousin Pete"
  The Golden Kiwi @ 9 p.m.

Story headlines in the Kitchener Waterloo Record and the Cambridge TImes.
If you can support this noble fundraising effort please do so. 

Here is the article from the Kitchener Waterloo Record:

Local musicians rally to help popular keyboardist

PAUL GAINS

PROMOTIONAL Matt Storch (left) has organized a benefit for friend Frank Fitzgerald (on keyboards) at various Cambridge venues.

(May 29, 2007)

Music lovers across the Waterloo Region were stunned last weekend upon learning that popular keyboard player Frank Fitzgerald underwent emergency cancer surgery at London's Victoria Hospital.

In response to the catastrophe friends of the Cambridge musician have quickly come together to organize a series of benefit concerts set for Saturday at three locations in Cambridge.

At each location donations will be accepted to offset the mounting costs associated with Fitzgerald's medical condition.

The 44-year-old will remain in hospital recovering from the trauma for at least the next six to eight weeks. Surgeons were given no choice but to remove part of his tongue and it is feared he will lose not only the ability to speak but be unable to eat without a tube.

Compounding the problem is the fact that Fitzgerald has been blind since an early age. Nevertheless, he is known around Cambridge for not only his musical ability, whether it be rock and roll or blues-funk but for his great spirit in the face of adversity. Almost every Friday "Frankie" as he is affectionately known, could be seen at Café on King with his "seeing eye" poodle, Tenner, jamming with other area musicians. He has also been a regular musical guest at the Fiddle and Firkin for more than a decade.

"I am crushed, he is a good friend of mine," says Matt Storch, front man for The Usual Suspects and the owner of Café on King. "He's been playing keyboards forever, he has been on tour with some country bands. He had been involved in the musical community playing at the jams and writing songs.

"(He's) incredible for a sighted person let alone a blind person," said Storch, when asked to describe his friend's keyboard skills. "He's very professional. The best keyboard player I have played with. He knows all styles of music."

Storch has been in touch with other musicians including Pete MacAulay of MacAulay's Music who has donated door prizes for the various gigs. He has also set up a book of best-wishes that he is encouraging people to sign at Cafe on King. The book will eventually be presented to Frankie and his family.

"The best way to help is financially," Storch continues. "They have a lot of bills and a lot of struggles ahead of them. I would say that parallel to that is the goal to let Frankie and his family and (his partner) Laurie know there's a whole load of people who care about him and are looking out for him. He is one of these really humble people. I don't think he knows how many people really care about him"

Storch hopes this weekend's benefits will be financially successful but even more he wants to help lift Fitzgerald's spirits.

FITZGERALD BENEFITS SATURDAY, CAMBRIDGE

Usual Suspects

Fiddle & Firkin (707 King St. E.)

Rob Wildman and The Wicked

Cafe on King (656 King St. E.)

The Gabe Lee Trio, featuring Cousin Pete

Golden Kiwi, 15 Petty Place

More information

Matt Storch at 519-650-4452.

May 25 2007

I wanted to let people know about "Cafe on King". Matt Storch is the owner of this club that opened this year. He operates a fully functional specialty coffee house with exceptional menu and complimentary desserts.

In the evenings people "plug-in" and the music starts. If you support live music this is a place to visit. The Region of Waterloo needs more places to support live entertainment so I encourage you to visit, call, email the Cafe to find out more.

We had a great crowd last night and lots of fun!

May 17 2007

New music, new shows, new groups of players!! This summer will be filled with lots of fun shows. Visit the LIVE  shows page to catch my schedule. Come out and share a beer!March 22 2007

I have been pretty busy with family over the last couple months. This summer is shaping up to be filled with more live dates, more recordings on the website, more co-writing, and more band gigs. Thank you to those who continue to support my music!

January 2 2007

Happy New Year to all!

December 22 2006

I wanted to say a heartfelt "Thank you" to all those who supported me, my family and the music during this difficult year.

The Holidays are a wonderful time:  reflection, introspection, imagination, and dreams. I sincerely hope that 2007 brings you what you consider to be 'the best in life'.

Chase your dreams, stay true to your heart, and enjoy it in Song.

Thank you for 2006 and see you in 2007!

November 21 2006

Great News!! The Organizers of the World Record attempt have notified participants of the successful completion of the event. This means that WE DID IT! World Record Holders! Hats off to Thomas at Manhattans in Guelph for supporting the venue, Keith Thompson and Sue Hertendy, and all the staff and folks that played and / or supported the artists.

What a cool deal!  

November 5 2006 I finished my first time slot for the world record attempt today. I have also added some new time slots this week. Go to my live page for updates. Hit  Press for the Ad brochure and sponsors of this event.

Hit Performers for the list of talent at the World Record attempt.

November 2 2006

My Time slots for my participation in the world record for longest continuous original music showcase (200 hours) have been secured. I am thrilled to have secured two ONE HOUR time slots.

Check out the Live Dates portion of my site for times and location!

October 25 2006

Keith Thompson has created a World Record attempt for the longest continuous original music performance by original songwriters!

I am working on being involved in that project, taking place at Manhattan's in Guelph. The first weeks in November. I will post my date and my one hour time slot when I receive it.

It was a blast playing to a full house at the Grand over the past weekend. Thanks Rosie for having us back again. Ron and George Bellmore proved a potent combination and we rocked the house!

October 16 2006

If you can make it out to see Ron Griffen at the Grand Hotel this week you will be in for an amazing time. Ron is a fantastic singer and very talented acoustic player. It is always cool to play in with him...besides, you'll never know who may show up!