Matthew Carl Ferguson (born in Conyers, Georgia) is an American country music singer and songwriter known professionally as Matt Kennon. He has co-written a song for Randy Travis and has released one album for BamaJam Records. This album includes the top 40 hit "The Call".

Matt Kennon
Matt Kennon at BamaJam Music & Art Festival, in June 2010
Matt Kennon at BamaJam Music & Art Festival, in June 2010
Background information
BornMatthew Carl Ferguson[1]
OriginConyers, Georgia, U.S.[2]
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger-songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2001–present
LabelsBamaJam/Stroudavarious
Websitehttp://mattkennon.com/

Biography

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Matthew Carl Ferguson was born in Conyers, Georgia.[2] He was adopted at birth by two parents, who had previously lost three of their four biological children to a house fire. Kennon's birth mother, who already had another son, made a decision to have an abortion, but she arrived at her doctor's office two weeks too late and was told she had to carry the child to full term.[3]

He began playing the drums at age seven, and went on to play drums in high school jazz bands.[4] Later on, he began performing at clubs in the Atlanta, Georgia area, playing cover versions of country and southern rock songs.[4]

In the late 2000s, Kennon self-released an album of his music, which he began selling at his concerts. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he met Travis Tritt's former manager Gary Falcon, who recommended him to Kyle Lehning, a record producer known for his work with Randy Travis.[4] After Travis recorded Kennon's "Turn It Around" and released it as a single,[5] Kennon was signed to a publishing contract. He also began working with another producer, James Stroud.[2]

Later in 2009, Kennon signed to BamaJam Records in association with Stroudavarious Records (which Stroud owns) and released his debut single "The Call,"[6] which he wrote with Jeremy Campbell and Noah Gordon. The song debuted at number 55 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week of October 17, 2009.[7] Matt Bjorke of Roughstock gave the song a mostly-favorable review, saying that he did not enjoy the song upon first listen because of Kennon's voice, but said that the lyrics are "where it shines."[8]

Kennon's self-titled debut album was released on May 11, 2010. In advance of the album's release, he released a three-song extended play featuring "The Call" and two other songs from the album.[9]

In April 2011, Kennon self-released a second album titled 77.[10]

In October 2012, Kennon self-released a third album titled Makin Music That Matters.

In August 2013, Kennon also released an extended play titled Four on the Floor, which included four new songs and a previously recorded track.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country
[11]
US
[12]
US
Heat

[13]
US Indie
[14]
Matt Kennon
  • Release date: May 11, 2010
  • Label: BamaJam Records
19 116 1 24
77
  • Release date: April 27, 2011
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
Makin' Music That Matters
  • Release date: October 30, 2012
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
Leavin' Ain't Letting Go
  • Release date: July 15, 2016
  • Label: River Swirl Entertainment
When I Get Home
  • Release date: July 28, 2017
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
The Best Of
  • Release date: December 8, 2017
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays

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Title Album details Peak positions
US Country
[11]
The Call
  • Release date: March 9, 2010
  • Label: BamaJam Records
65
EP3 – Single
  • Release date: August 6, 2011
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
Four on the Floor
  • Release date: August 13, 2013
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
Simplified
  • Release date: February 4, 2014
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
Real Good
  • Release date: September 16, 2014
  • Label: Roaddawg Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
[15]
2009 "The Call" 33 Matt Kennon
2010 "You Can Still Wear White"
2011 "Too Loud"
"You Had to Pick on Me" 77
2019 "Love Is Stronger"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

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Year Video
2009 "The Call"

References

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  1. ^ "Search results for Ferguson, Matthew Carl". Broadcast Music Incorporated. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c Floydd, Michelle (February 5, 2010). "Local hits charts in Nashville". Rockdale Citizen. Retrieved February 7, 2010.
  3. ^ Hughes, Donna (January 25, 2010). "Matt Kennon Discovers Shocking Details About His Adoption". The Boot. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  4. ^ a b c Leggett, Steve. "Matt Kennon biography". Allmusic. Retrieved March 5, 2010.
  5. ^ "Digging Up Bones Xclusive: Interview With Matt Kennon". Randy Travis.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  6. ^ "Matt Kennon". BamaJam Records. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  7. ^ Morris, Edward (October 10, 2009). "Miranda Lambert's Revolution seizes the album summit". CMT. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  8. ^ Bjorke, Matt (October 19, 2009). "Matt Kennon — "The Call"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on October 22, 2009. Retrieved October 19, 2009.
  9. ^ "Matt Kennon's self titled album". Music Remedy. February 11, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  10. ^ "Matt Kennon: 77". CDBaby. Retrieved May 21, 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Matt Kennon Album & Song Chart History – Country Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  12. ^ "Matt Kennon Album & Song Chart History – Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  13. ^ "Matt Kennon Album & Song Chart History – Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  14. ^ "Matt Kennon Album & Song Chart History – Independent Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
  15. ^ "Matt Kennon Album & Song Chart History – Country Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Company. Retrieved October 24, 2010.