John Matteson

Story

I grew up in Newport Beach California, I took guitar lessons with Carl Verheyen at the old Coast Music before it was torn down to make room for Harbor Blvd. My first electric guitar was a Gibson SG and my amplifier was a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Man, that old stuff sounded great! I played in a local party band called the Shreddin’ Eddies. We played classic rock songs with a mix of some originals. Back when I was very young my family moved to Saint James Road next door to Chuck Smith, the Bible teacher who started Calvary Chapel. We were one of the first families who attended his church on church street, and then the church moved to the vacant Greenville School building in Santa Ana, which was torn down to build the new church. The new church I thought was really cool because it had Christian rock bands that played Saturday nights. Many young people were coming to faith in Jesus Christ. This is the place that I first felt the Lord calling me to play guitar and yield my life to Him.

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Equipment

What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music is spiritual expression, a gift of God. It gives me a platform to express what I feel and think, also what is buried deep in my soul.

What is your music dream?

to have fun and play good and always be expanding and improving.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

The human heart. Let it start with me.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Blackbird by the Beatles Here comes the Sun Yesterday

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Larry Norman, Lovesong, Gentle Faith, Oden Fong and Mustard Seed Faith, Darrel Mansfield, Kieth Green Carl Verheyen, Almond Brothers, Beatles, ZZTop

What inspires you to make music?

Worship of the creator of heaven and earth.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

There is life after this word is done. It is through the Son of God, Jesus Christ who died for all our sins. We can have life when we repent of our sins and ask Jesus into our heart and be born again to this new life in Him, and let Him lead us daily by reading the written word of God and applying it to our lives. To express this in song is a way let the people know the good news and also to remember what the Lord has done for us.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

Not as comfortable as I would like.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

The reality and boundaries of the musician is now limitless it seems with the internet, where wave files can be sent around the world to collaborate and put songs together.

What do you think of Drooble?

I am really liking this setup so far. It is very cool to get feedback on your songs and check out what others are doing.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

I am frustrated with myself and my laziness to not work on all the songs that are in my head.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I need to get out more

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Don’t know. I just want to play the blues

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

I really think my guitar teacher Carl Verheyen deserves a listen. I believe he is one of the best in the world