In the past year, powerhouse blues singer-guitarist Matt Andersen has seen his career skyrocket to another lofty plateau.
That voice is about to reach the heights of Mt. Ida when Andersen performs at the 24th annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival the weekend of Aug. 19 to 21.
Andersen’s new album, Honest Man, released in late-February, debuted in the top five on the Soundscan charts sitting in the company of Adele, Justin Bieber, 1975, as well as Macklemore & Lewis.
In the midst of his Honest Man tour, Andersen has already played to more than 15,000 Canadians, with 45 dates yet to come. He’s making his mark at American Triple A Radio with 13 adds in the last couple of weeks, enjoyed almost 10 million visits and views on YouTube, with more than 100,000 of those being directed to his Honest Man album.
From Perth-Andover, New Brusnwick, Andersen has been building his career coast to coast for more than a decade now. He’s played most of the country’s major festivals and was introduced to large audiences via Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café tours. He’s also received rave reviews and heavy rotation on roots and blues radio programs across the nation.
His performances and recordings have earned him the 2013 Euro Blues Award for Best Solo Acoustic Act, a similar award at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, numerous Maple Blues Awards and a mantle full of East Coast Music Awards.
Andersen will perform on the Roots and Blues main stage as well as on a side stage with some equally talented roots musicians.
Other artists scheduled to perform at the festival include Whitehorse, The Bros. Landreth, Crystal Shawanda, Delhi 2 Dublin, Digging Roots, Amy Helm, Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett of Little Feat, The Sojourners and many more.
Tickets and information are available at rootsandblues.ca.