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By Hannah Fleming, Message Staff Writer
SHREVEPORT – Sixteen-year-old Matthew Davidson is not your average teenager.
This award-winning vocalist and guitarist is rapidly becoming known for his musical talents as well as his uplifting lyrics which seems to touch people’s lives.
The Shreveport native began his music career “eight years ago and simply fell in love with it.”
As an eight-year-old, he took his first acoustic guitar lessons. Several years later (2007) he won his first electric guitar from the James Burton Foundation’s guitar show. By 2010 he had started his own band (The Matthew Davidson Band) and they began recording their songs and music.
Davidson’s parents recognized his musical gifts early in his career and have been very supportive. They search for opportunities for him to perform as well as places he can serve.
“When he first started we knew he had a talent,” said Ella Davidson, his mother. “It is always exciting and fun to see him performing and doing so well.”
Not only a gifted vocalist and strong guitar player, Davidson is also considered a triple threat because of his song writing ability.
Along with band members Greg Walton and Kyle McClanahan, the band made their official debut in June of 2010. Since then, they have literally taken Northwest Louisiana and the state by storm, appearing in such events as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Red River Radio, the Baton Rouge Fest for All, the State Fair of Louisiana, the Natchitoches Christmas Festival to name just a few.
An active member of Ellerbe Road Baptist Church in Shreveport, he and his band lead worship for the youth where they encourage the students to live for Christ. He has been the leader for the last four years. In fact, this is where Davidson got his first opportunity to perform in front of large crowds.
Word of his talents quickly spread and soon he was performing in other churches, school plays, musicals and talent shows.
Rob Sharp, Ellerbe Road’s music minister, often utilizes Davidson’s talents as the guitarist for Sunday services as well as any special events that take place at the church. As a matter of fact, he has played at the church’s annual fireworks display and concert, an evening of jazz music and a 50’s theme night.
Yet, despite his busy and somewhat hectic schedule, he can be seen every Sunday morning playing for his church.
“He’s an extremely talented young man,” said Sharpe. “He understands what worship is about. He is a people person and that’s a big part of ministry.”
Sharpe has helped him get plugged into the church.
“In terms of serving the church, that’s what I stress to him,” said Sharpe.
While the band’s music is labeled secular – blues, pop, rock or a mixture of all three, their lyrics are family friendly and offer their listeners an encouraging message. Often Davidson writes about his own personal experiences.
“Right now our music is considered secular,” admits Davidson. “But God might lead me, us, into a different direction one day. Christian music is definitely not out of the question.”
Despite the secular tag, the band definitely does not shy away from sharing their faith.
“When people ask about our faith we don’t hide it. We let people know that we serve the one, true God,” said Davidson. “I am willing to follow wherever God leads me.”
While Hillsong and Chris Tomlin have been major influences in Davidson’s life and music, secular bands like the Beatles, Maroon 5 and John Mayor have also played a role in influencing and shaping the bands sounds.
“The Beatles were the first band that got me interested in the music industry,” Davidson said. “As much as I like all three bands, I believe, though, musically we actually sound more like Hillsong and Chris Tomlin.”
Davidson, who strives to be more than just an average guitar player and singer, wants to use his music for God and to benefit all those who listen to it.
“I’d like to make people happy and to be able to lift them up,” said Davidson when asked how he wanted God to use his music. “I want them to be able to relate to it.”
And there can be little doubt that God is blessing Davidson’s career. Case in point: In 2011, he won the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation/ Gibson Guitar New Generation award; the next year, he was nominated for the “Best Emerging artist” by Off Beat magazine in New Orleans and in September 2013 he was featured in “At Guitar Center” magazine.
Recently he has been selected for the 2014 Grammy Camp in Nashville, Tenn., a music camp taught by music professionals and focusing on all aspects of music. He’s also placed in the Top 10 of the International Guitar Contest, sponsored by Capital Records and The Beach Boys.
Despite his young age, he has shared the stage with such noted musicians as Joe Osborn, Jerry Beach, Brady Blade and Patrick Stump, and recently he was asked to join Kenny Wayne Shephard on stage at 59Twenty Music Festival in Meridan, Miss.
Additionally, he is now a member of ‘Brotherhood of the Guitar’ project which is a project that introduces and exposes unknown young guitarists. This project is sponsored by Fender, Guitar Center and Ernie Ball.
And people are definitely taking notice. According to his website [Matthewdavidson.net], he already has over 270 performances to his credit. They have upcoming appearances at the James Burton International Guitar Festival Aug. 22 in Shreveport; the Ark-La-Miss Fair in Monroe Sept. 20 and Red River Revel Oct. 11 in Shreveport.
The future is bright and only going to get brighter for Davidson and his band.
“I’d like to record professionally one day,” said Davidson.
It would appear he already has a pretty large following.