Mike Mattison

Mike Mattison is a singer and songwriter who derives most of his material from Blues and Americana. Perhaps best-known for his work in the Derek Trucks Band and the Tedeschi Trucks Band, with whom he has won Grammy Awards, Mattison has now recorded his first solo effort, “You Can’t Fight Love,” which is scheduled for a June 3, 2014, release date on Landslide Records. Mining an eclectic range of influences, “You Can’t Fight Love” showcases Mattison’s astonishing vocal range plus well-crafted songs that stretch from rockin’ soul to heart stopping romance. A native of Minneapolis, MN, Mattison attended Harvard University where he graduated cum laude in 1991 with a concentration in American Literature. After an ill-advised stint as a journalist, he began his music career with Paul Olsen as one half of the blues duo Scrapomatic, who have released four albums to date. As Scrapomatic's star rose, Mike was picked up by slide-guitarist Derek Trucks and began touring as lead singer with the Derek Trucks Band. Since 2001 he has appeared constantly with Scrapomatic, the Derek Trucks Band and the Tedeschi Trucks Band, performing on five continents and in every state, except Alaska. Mattison has gone on to win two Grammies with Trucks: 2009's Best Blues Album for the Derek Trucks Band's "Already Free," and 2011's Best Blues Album for the Tedeschi Trucks Band's "Revelator." His compositions, “Bound for Glory” and "Midnight in Harlem," received significant airplay and the latter was highlighted in the band’s performance for the DVD of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010. “You Can’t Fight Love” features musical backing from several Mattison cohorts including Scrapomatic’s Olsen and Dave Yoke on guitars, TTB’s Tyler Greenwell (drums) and Kofi Burbridge (keyboards), plus Ted Pecchio (bass). Produced by Mattison, the album displays his trademark ability to combine fresh, memorable melodies with deep, provocative lyrics that pull from the finest blues, soul, and country genres. Mattison is proud to have toured, recorded and shared the stage with such legends as B.B. King, Carlos Santana, the Allman Brothers Band, Solomon Burke, the Black Crowes and Herbie Hancock. “I've learned musicianship, professionalism, how to tour and how to navigate the music business from my work with Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. Invaluable stuff. And I've seen the world! We've played on five continents, played in every state (except Alaska); appeared on Leno, Conan and were invited to the White House. It's mind-boggling." The experience surely impacted Mattison’s drive towards establishing himself as a solo artist. However, a major goal remains: He would like to grow up to be Dr. John. Mike. He sings and dances.