Episode 82 - Matt James of Blacktop Mojo! Matt is the singer and songwriter for Blacktop Mojo, a band described as "southern grunge." While they may have got some notoriety for their spot on covers of Aerosmith's "Dream On" or Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight", their original songs light a spark in the current rock scene. Their music has been played on rock radio and they currently have a new EP out titled "Static" as well as an upcoming self-titled album. In concert they have performed with everyone from Papa Roach to Bon Jovi and are scheduled to play "Rock Fest" this summer with Disturbed, Korn & others. Learn all about Matt's background from growing up in small town Texas to playing football against LSU to the meaning behind some of their songs and much more!

00:00 - Intro
00:57 - Welcome Matt & Texas Lingo
02:50 - Early Musical Influences
05:02 - Learning Guitar and Singing
06:12 - Playing Football at Northwestern St.
08:30 - Meeting Drummer Nathan Gillis
09:27 - Band Name "Blacktop Mojo"
11:11 - Meeting the Rest of the Band
11:54 - Developing the Band's Sound
13:25 - The Beard & the Furry Vest
16:02 - Tough Look & Fights
16:48 - Performing with an Empty Crowd
18:02 - Quitting Day Jobs & Second Album
19:55 - "Dream On" Cover
22:00 - "In The Air Tonight" Cover
22:45 - "Pyromaniac" Song
23:35 - Opening for Bon Jovi
27:30 - "Under the Sun" Album
29:10 - Hard Working Rock Band
30:48 - Shiprocked Cruise
32:58 - Freezing in Colorado Springs
34:04 - Newer Bands To Watch For
35:05 - Streaming Music
36:30 - New EP "Static" & New Self-Titled Album
38:20 - Politics & Lyrical Complexity in Music
40:55 - Arm Wrestling & Weights
41:25 - Weaknesses & Singing On the Spot
42:30 - Nine Line Foundation
43:15 - Wrap Up

Blacktop Mojo Website:
https://www.blacktopmojo.com

Nine Line Foundation:
https://ninelinefoundation.org

Chuck Shute Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chuck_shute/

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Thanks for Listening & Shute for the Moon!

Matt James (Blacktop Mojo singer)