Interview with Trey Matthews
by Janelle Landauer
How and when did your first break in the music industry come about?
When I moved here in 1996 one of the first people I met in Nashville was David Chamberlain. David wrote several number one songs including George Strait’s “Am I Blue”, “What’s Going On In Your World” and Tanya Tucker’s “Without You (What Do I Do With Me). I went out to his house one day and he really liked my songs. He called me a couple of days later and told me that he got me an appointment with Buddy Killen to go to his office and play him some songs. I went and met with Buddy and 3 months later he signed me to my first publishing deal.
What goals have you accomplished and what do you still hope to accomplish with your music career?
My first goal when I came to Nashville was the same as any other aspiring songwriter and that was to actually get paid to write songs. I was very lucky to have that happen so quickly. Another goal was to hear something I wrote on the radio which first happened in 2000 when Daryle Singletary recorded and released a song I wrote called “I’ve Thought of Everything”. Having a number one song is my ultimate goal that I have yet to reach. Just knowing that you had a part in writing the most played song in the country has got to be an incredible feeling.
Who has been the greatest influence in your life (music related or not)?
In my life there have been too many influences to mention. In music I would have to say it’s been watching a lot of the friends I’ve made in the music business become successful. It really showed me that it can happen for you if you just stick with it.
If you could collaborate with anyone else musically, who would it be and why?
The late Jimmy Webb because I think he was brilliant. The songs he wrote inspired me to want to become a songwriter.
What advice would you give to those who plan to get into the music business?
First and foremost…move here. With the networking it takes in this town to become successful, it is almost impossible to make it without being here. Also you need to realize that it’s not going to be easy. I think a lot of people fail in this town because they give up too soon. Patience in the music business goes a long, long way. You are going to hear “no” a lot more than you are going to hear “yes”.
Where do you find the ideas and inspirations when writing songs?
Probably 99% of the song ideas I have come up with came from everyday conversation. Somebody will say something and I think “Man, that would be a great song”... I am usually inspired by a great idea more than just from personal experience.
Can you explain the process that goes on from the point after you write the songs?
I usually write 15-20 songs before I set up a demo session. I then pick and choose 5 of them that I think have the most potential to get recorded. We then go in to the studio and demo them. I usually either hire a demo singer who I think will sell it the best or my co-writer will sing it. After it is done, I do pitch them to record labels, artist or producers on occasion but for the most part that job is done by the song pluggers.
Do you have a favorite song that you’ve written so far? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite song?
It was a song I wrote several years ago with Woody Mullis called “Before I Die”. It was on hold for just about every male artist in town before Tracy Byrd finally recorded it on his last album. I just think the song says so much and really makes people take a good hard look at themselves.
Who are some of the other artists/songwriters you have written with or for?
My songs have been recorded by Daryle Singletary, The Wilkinsons, Ty Herndon, South Sixty-Five, Mark McGuinn, Cole Deggs and the Lonesome, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs and David Nail. I have probably had 50 or so independent cuts over the years as well. Some people I have co-written with include Aaron Barker, Rivers Rutherford, Cole Deggs, Bobby Pinson, Tim Rushlow, Richie McDonald, Trent Tomlinson, Mike Geiger, Lance Miller, Kevin Denney, David Chamberlain, Billy Currington, Lisa Carver, Mark McGuinn, Bobby Boyd, Anthony Smith and Randy Houser.
When you write songs, do you ever have a certain artist in mind for the song, or do you just write hoping someone will pick it up later on?
Very rarely do I go into a writing appointment with one particular artist in mind. Most of the time I don’t know who the song will be good for until after I demo it. The exception to that of course is when I am writing with the artist.
You’ve had the opportunity to write some songs with Cole Deggs and also have 4 of your songs on their debut album. Can you tell us more about your co-writing experiences with Cole? How often do you write with him?
Cole and I have been friends a long time. We have been working together since way before he ever got his record deal. A couple of the songs we wrote actually helped get him signed to Sony. The great thing about working with Cole is there is absolutely no pressure when we get together to write. We just have a good time whether we come up with anything or not.
How did it feel to receive word that Cole Deggs & the Lonesome were going to put those 4 songs that you co-wrote on their debut album?
I actually knew ahead of time that he was going to cut them. Obviously I was very excited in knowing that his record label and his producers thought enough of the songs to record them.
I read that you wrote a song that newcomer David Nail has recorded… What is the name of the song and will it be on his upcoming MCA Nashville release?
The song is called “Watertower Skyline”. I have heard that he recorded 16 songs for his album and 13 of those would actually make the record. I have not yet heard whether or not it will make it. I think David is a great talent with a very bright future so I hope and pray the song hangs in there.
Finally, is there anything you would like to say to all the country music fans and all our readers?
Please stop the illegal downloading. It is really negatively affecting the industry as a whole, from the labels all the way down to the songwriter. A little download here and there may not seem like much, but believe me it adds up. Also I would like to say thank you for loving the music. I know the artist say they couldn’t survive without the fans but the same holds true for the country music songwriter. You enable us to do this for a living instead of just as a hobby.
Added: April 12, 2008
