biography
Matthew VanFossen - Lead
Nashville Star Finalist!!!!!Mathew VanFossen started singing when he was 2 years old, with traditional Country music being his passion; His main influence being Reba McEntire. His made his first public singing performance in elementary school and later auditioned for the Monarch Choir at John Marshall high school. He grew up in Bellaire, Ohio with his mother Dorothy, father Matt, and his brother Sean. His parents divorced in 1994,which was a pivotal turning point for him. His father was and is a recovering alcoholic and over the next few years, when times were tough, he always turned to music to see him through. He would often stay with his great grandmother Stella Black where they would spend time together watching Hee Haw and The Grand Ole Opry. Stella always fueled Matt's singing until she passed away in 1999. From that day forward Matt knew he was meant to follow their shared dream of being a Country music star. Matt officially started his professional career in music in late 2003,. Randy Baldwin, of Bellaire, Ohio, whose son Josh and Matt were friends growing up. Randy remembered Matt and approached him about recording his first demo. The CD was sent to songwriter, Kelley Lovelace of Nashville, whom writes songs with Brad Paisley, another major influence on Matt’s music whom he hopes to meet and record with. Through the competition at Wheeling Downs Matthew met his first true Inspiration as an artist; Joanie Lilly, of Monroeville, PA. She taught him to believe in himself and to keep pushing forward. It was in late 2004 When Matt asked Lilly to sing a duet on his 2nd demo project. That collaboration is titled “Hard to be a Husband, Hard to be a Wife”. It was originally written and performed by two of Matt's biggest influences, Chely Wright and Brad Paisley. The song is still one of matt’s favorite recordings to date. Family has always been major part of Matt's success. His grandmother Midge, cousin Sarah, Aunt Barb, lovingly known as "Tig", and of course his biggest fan, his mother, In August of 2006, he competed in the Wetz Colgate Country Music Showdown where he met Heather Warren. She was a fellow competitor and that day when Matt stepped off the stage after his rehearsal, Warren told Matt he had the whole competition wrapped up. After winning, he progressed to the West Virginia State finals. Warren and VanFossen became friends talking constantly about their love of music. Matt embarked on his greatest challenge yet; Going into the studio and recording all of his unreleased material with a full band and producer marking his first official studio project. He is recording it at Aardvark Recording Studios in Steubenville, OH "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" is one Of Matt's favorite songs so when it came time to select album tracks it was a no-brainer for him. Other songs included on this project are, "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You", "One Night In Las Vegas", which is a duet with Joanie Lilly, "Anywhere But Here", and "I Don't Want To", duet with Heather Warren. Also Lilly and Warren will be actively involved in the background vocals on the project. . Matt will then begin his move to Nashville, TN where, accompanied by Warren will begin the next stage in his exciting career. In the spring of 2008 Matt plans to launch his Official Fan Club which will be called "VanFans".