Wednesday | July 1 | 7pm

The Matt O'Ree Band

Rock, Blues, and Americana

Over the past few years, the Matt O'Ree Band has done what most area bands do. They've played their shows, developed their sound, released their records and quietly built a huge fan base in the process. What makes this band different from all the others is that their local fan base includes people like Bruce Springsteen, David Bryan of Bon Jovi, Steve Cropper of Booker T and the MG's, John Popper of Blues Traveler, Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic, and Hubert Sumlin all of whom have volunteered to perform on the band's acclaimed album Brotherhood.

Prior to Brotherhood's release, Matt's talent was recognized globally when he got the nod to join rock legend Jon Bon Jovi as guitarist/backing vocalist on Bon Jovi’s 2015 stadium tour of the Far East.

Matt made a splash as a guitar phenom after winning a national guitar contest hosted by B.B. King and John Mayer through Guitar Center and Guitar World magazine. Matt beat out over 4,000 competitors to win the grand prize. This major accomplishment was the spark that jumpstarted his career and gave his band momentum for its future success.

Eryn Shewell, co-lead vocalist and Matt’s artistic muse, is an essential member of the band and an accomplished artist in her own right. She’s won awards such as the BELK Southern Musician Showcase/Blues Artist as well as Asbury Park's Top Female Vocalist. Eryn is also the youngest artist to be inducted into the NJ/NY Blues Hall of Fame and one of a handful of women to be so honored.  Eryn has performed or opened for artists such as Don McLean, Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Dr. John, Shemekia Copeland, The Gin Blossoms, Little River Band, Marcia Ball, Walter Wolfman Washington, Eric Lindell, Sonny Landreth, The Radiators, Johnny A and so many more. She also sang backup vocals with the Smashing Pumpkins on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

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The Matt O’Ree Band’s latest album, Hand in Glove, shows the influence of each of the band members, featuring several songs written by the band as a whole. The songs are true Blues Rock n' Roll featuring Matt's ripping guitar and gritty vocals, Eryn's powerful wail and impressive range, highlighting the pair's off-the-charts vocal chemistry,

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Each of the band members brings their special brand of talent spun from influences such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Company, Deep Purple, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, ZZ Top, and Rush, to name a few. The Matt O'Ree Band has taken all these diverse elements and forged its own unique sound which takes the listener on a journey back to a time of joy and discovery.