Matt's passion for music began in his youth, growing up in the small town of Washougal, WA. It started with banging his head to rhythms against the car seat and matching melodies he heard from old cassettes his dad used to play. As he grew older, he sang in secret, almost embarrassed to share his passion; singing remained a hobby throughout his youth. While attending Seattle University, classmates urged him to play open-mic nights on campus and soon Brown became inspired. He continued to successfully grow skills as a guitar player and song writer.
After graduating college with a finance degree, Matt moved back to the Portland area to pursue music with his band, Ruby Hill. Ruby Hill has released two successful albums, received local radio play and played some of Portland's best venues.
Initially formed by members of Moon Ska Records recording artists Easy Big Fella, Natalie Wouldn't entered the Seattle music scene in 2000. The original trio of singer-songwriters built on the initial model, added some instrumentation, went through a few changes and finally evolved into a tasty eight piece musical organization creating and performing an original blend of ska, soul and rock & roll.
The current line-up of Natalie Wouldn't - [ vocalist and guitarist, Rick Dybvad (formerly with Easy Big Fella), saxophonist and vocalist, Shawn Brockman (formerly with Easy Big Fella, The Crawdaddies), keyboardist, Erik Lind , bassist Kevin Crosby (Squirrels Alumni Member, formerly with The Crawdaddies), and drummer Mike Fanning (formerly with Easy Big Fella, The Crawdaddies) Sean Jensen (Sax/Vocals) Formerly and currently with the Diablatones,Ric Penttila (Trumpet/Vocals)Formerly and currently with the Diablatones and Easy Big Fella, Michael Ayer (Trombone/Vocal) Currently with Skalami,are a skillful and talented group of performers dedicated to writing and playing fun, high quality music.
The band's top performance skills and sharp material caught more a few ears and soon Natalie Wouldn't was working in and around the Pacific Northwest area, headlining shows and warming up for well established international bands such as The English Beat, The Toasters, Bad Manners, The Slackers, Deals Gone Bad, Satori, and The Phenomenauts . Natalie Wouldn't also plays frequently at many music festivals including the Seattle Folklife Festival, Seattle Ska Fest, and the Victoria Ska Festival.
Emily McIntosh, performing & recording vocalist, pro session/jingle singer & vocal coach is an indisputably gifted vocalist whose voice is listened to and celebrated worldwide. From wailing soul and disco to timeless adult contemporary, edgy pop, rhythmic R&B, smooth jazz and jazz standards from the American Song Book, Emily is a unique, true and diverse vocal talent who delivers. With almost a decade of experience in jingles & voice over work, her diverse and cutting edge vocals are now heard by hundreds of millions daily on radio stations worldwide. Emily has also contributed her vocal talents to one of the most hyped video games of 2007, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl” for the Nintendo Wii. She is one of the most highly respected and demanded female session singers in radio jingles and has been the singer of radio ID jingles on major radio stations around the globe including London's HEART, LBC London, KISS London, the Nationally syndicated Delilah Show, FFN Germany, Toronto's EZ Rock, Nagoya's ZIP FM, LOVE China, KISS Chicago, Boston's JAMN 94.5, Holland's SKY Radio, France's Metropolys, and countless other stations across the US, British Columbia, Europe, Africa and South America and the Middle East as well as many online syndications. She not only sang all the jingles on Seattle and Portland's hot country station The Wolf, but also does the female voice over work for 99.5 The Wolf in Portland.
A former pageant princess, this smart cookie earned her Bachelor of Music Degree (vocal major), Cum Laude, thus giving her many sought after skills as a top shelf vocalist such as: improvisation, melodic development & songwriting, arranging & on-the-spot harmonizing, sight reading, pitch precision, vocal technique and an overall mastery and ability as a trained, professional, world class vocalist with a near four-octave range. Her own study and analysis of the most popular, contemporary artists makes her a virtual vocal chameleon. She has an impressive ability to sing sounding like many of today's most popular artists from Rihanna to Carrie Underwood. These and many other skills make Emily a sought after vocal coach/ mentor, session singer, and hot commodity to writers, producers and program directors.
In addition to her session work, Emily has built herself a flourishing business as a vocal coach and vocal producer, mentoring and developing new talent. Emily appeared on Fox's “American Idol, Where Are They Now” special coaching her student AJ Gill, a top 10 American Idol finalist. She is currently coaching and recording a hand full of students in her Woodinville studio.
It is true that every day Emily’s vocals are heard by tens of millions of listeners (and counting) on radio alone; but it doesn’t stop there. She is also a performing artist playing several shows a month with her Jazz Trio and from time to time, filling in as a group member with various R&B/ soul bands in Seattle and Los Angeles area clubs, casinos, festivals, private events, and concerts. Emily has had the honor of being the Opening Act for 'The Four Tops' & 'The Temptations' as well as Soul Legend Al Green at The Tulalip Amphitheater. She has appeared with Huey Lewis singing Smokey Robinson’s song "Cruisin Together” from the hit movie “Duets”. Emily has been in other opening acts for various major artists including Macy Gray, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Nica Costa, and Mavis Staples. Just out of college, Emily's breathtaking voice captured the attention of hit makers David Foster, Dianne Warren, Carole Bayer Sager and Baby Face when she entered and won their International Female Vocalist Challenge on Tonos.com. In 2005, Emily's voice was heard in the blockbuster film "Something's Gotta Give" with Dianne Keeton and Jack Nicholson. Besides radio and film you can also hear Emily's character voice skills singing "Ashley's Theme" in the Nintendo Wii game, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl."
Compared as a modern day Beatles group by live fans for their clean image and range of musical expression. Perry Acker’s sound is best described by vocalist/guitarist Pete Johnson, “Pop rock, blues… Dave Matthews meets John Mayer with a little bit of Fleetwood Mac and Super Tramp. Put them all in a bucket and mix it around."
Perry Acker has spent the last two years popularizing their unique sound and cranking out unforgettable music. In February 2011, the group’s hard work paid off when they won Ford’s national battle of the bands, Gimme the Gig competition. Due to that success, Perry Acker will be recording with seven time Grammy winning producer Don Was in spring 2011.
However, it’s ultimately Perry Acker's live show that generates the most enthusiastic reviews.
“The group played an amazing set of melodic, pop, rock and jam music on the KISS FM Fisher Green Stage. Take The Beatles and The Grateful Dead, throw them in the mix and you have a beautiful sound that is perfect for a festival setting.”
– Greg Roth, Examiner
“Two Words… Great talent! With their young positive energy, fresh originals, a clean rockin’ sound, and a full house of happy fans that always equates to a great night!”
– Jeff Call, Owner of Stonegate Rock Club
Perry Acker formed in Gig Harbor, Washington when vocalist/guitarist Pete Johnson, drummer Grady Lester and bassist Brandon Meade started making music together in high school. Several years later, Pete’s younger brother Mark Johnson joined them on the keyboard followed soon by guitarist Rick Powers. Named after Pete & Mark Johnson’s great-grandfather, Perry Acker was an accomplished Northwest landscape painter and artist.
It’s your turn to see this amazing live band. Then you will learn why there is always a “buzz” surrounding the band – Perry Acker.
Crème Tangerine is a dynamic five piece band from Seattle that performs the music of The Beatles for thousands each year. Rather than focusing on the personalities or look of the Beatles, Crème Tangerine focuses on performing their beloved music live for all to enjoy. Besides their “Rooftop Concert” shows, their performances have included The Beatles most recognized hits as well as different eras of the Beatles music and "the White Album" and "Abbey Road" in their entireties. Their high energy, quality performances appeal to those already familiar with and new to the music of The Beatles. Having released their debut album, “Crème Tangerine” in 2007, Crème Tangerine released their latest record, “The Abbey Road Project” in 2009.
A Cedar Suede is an eclectic combination of high-energy Latin grooves, soaring classical motifs, and spontaneous improvisations. All pieces are the result of collaborative writing by Belskus and Maschler -- a crossroads of modern musical flavors.
Like the soundtrack to an adventure film, this wild ride never ceases to amaze and delight audiences of all types. With a pounding percussive guitar, and haunting tones mixed seamlessly with jazzy chord changes, no one genre can encompass the artistry. Come and enjoy the complex depths and fantastic heights that are A Cedar Suede.
Singer & songwriter Marion Weston’s heart-warming original material and captivating stage presence are why her fan base grows with every show.
The “Weston” experience is an unforgettable live show. Audiences are moved by the depth of her songs... “It’s pure entertainment.”
Marion’s first Nashville-produced CD “Everything” set the tone for her sophomore CD“Moving On.” The lyrics grasp you, they touch you emotionally and physically, as it did for Nashville recording artist Crystal Shawanda who recently recorded not one but two of Marion’s songs for her Weston catalogue.
Marion’s performances have taken her to a wide range of venues and charitable performances not only in her native USA but just across the border in Canada.
Canada’s first impression was to adopt her, and adopt her they have. She showed her talents at two of the largest festivals Canada has to offer: The Merritt Mountain Music Festival and The Calgary Stampede where she shared the stage with such artists as Reba McIntyre, Lonestar and Steve Miller.
Five time CCMA award winners Doc Walker, stunned by her radiant performance, invited Marion to open for them on their 2009 tour and memorable moments are what they all took home after sharing that Weston experience.
In 2011 we will be seeing and hearing a lot more from high energy, personality plus Weston as she goes on tour with Crystal Shawanda. In late Spring, she will be heading back to Nashville lending her song writing talents to co-write more hits with numerous acclaimed country artists.
