ROBERT MATTER has been playing guitar and singing for over forty years. His musical roots are founded in contemporary folk music of the late 50's and early 60's. His friends from long ago know him as Bob Matter but now he performs professionally as Robert.
For the past fifteen years he has been performing throughout the state of Virginia and has recently decided to follow his passion of performing on a full time basis. He is ready to broaden his base of performance venues. His performances are sprinkled with a rainbow of different musical selections touched with his own unique style. Audiences are struck by the intense and moving renditions of songs that they thought they had forgotten. In addition to performing many of his own compositions, he covers songs from artists such as Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary.
Robert has released a recording entitled
"Songman". It is a 10 song CD featuring songs from the late 60's and early 70's. The songs are familiar to most audiences who have followed the contemporary folk music scene throughout the years.
Robert has recently released a new CD entitled "Closer To My Dreams". This CD contains 10 original songs including the popular favorites "Tangerine Fair", "The Blue Canyon Waltz" "One Man Band" and "Because Of War".
Robert has had several of his original songs included on compilation recordings. His "Fatty Fatty Two By Four" appears on the Tidewater Entertainers Association's CD entitled Breakout Vol I. His song "Changing Planes In Pittsburgh" was included on the Recovery Fest 2005 compilation CD entitled Celebrate Recovery.
Also, Robert has added his vocal talents to two songs on the CD "Getaway" by Mike Aiken on Northwind Records.
In 1994, Robert won a "Certificate Of Special Achievement" from "Billboards" 1994 Songwriters Competition for his song "Tell Me, America".
In 2001 he was a winner in the Green Sea Festival songwriting competition for his environmental song "The Lesson".
In addition to playing acoustic guitar, Robert also plays upright bass, bass guitar and saxophone. Being raised by parents who encouraged their children to learn music, Robert comes from a family of three brothers and one sister. All of them play at least two instruments. Robert feels lucky to have been raised in an environment where he was able to pursue his love for music. He follows that passion and vows to continue it until his dying day.