Remembering Matt Price
David Hager
Friends,
It is with sadness that we announce that Matt Price, a much loved Second Saturday musician and good friend to many, passed away suddenly in the early hours of Sunday, March 29th. He had earlier experienced a sudden medical emergency and did not awaken from it. His death was peaceful, by all accounts. His partner of many years, Jenifer, was there, along with friends from the local area. They sang and played guitar for him in his last hours. It was reported by nurses in the hospital, that, during the time that the group was at his side singing, his vital stats became very calm and peaceful. He heard and felt the love in which he was held.
Every time that Matt took the stage at a Second Saturdays show, I would move to the very front row so that I could absorb not just his talent as a musician, but open-hearetedness of how he expressed that which was within him. He was an extraordinarily sensitive and creative musician. He wrote dozens, maybe hundreds of songs. He published two CD's, which we have and treasure. Part of what was significant about Matt's song writing and vocals is how vulnerable, simple, honest and very thoughtful he was. His music expresses that completely. Just before Matt and Jenifer moved "back east" a couple years ago, Jenn Hager shared these thoughts to him in a letter:
"But I have to tell you the most wonderful thing, to me, about the way you play your music. It’s the humility with which you do it. Of course, you can knock people’s socks off with your fretwork and finger picking! But you exercise some restraint; you wanna give the song exactly what it needs, but only what it needs. You work hard at being true to the song, but I never feel as if you are trying to wow me. (You often do wow me, but not because you’re trying to.)"
Along with the depth and sensitivity of his songwriting and performance, Matt also had a quick and playful sense of humor. Just a raised eyebrow during a song Would sometimes bring audiences to tears or laughter. He was a terrific performer, mostly because "he" was not performing in the usual sense. He was just being Matt, pure and simple. Matt was also adventurous and creative in other ways. For a time, he moved to Shanghai and taught English.
If you want to remember, or become familiar with Matt's music, here are links to his two CD's. I don't want to bias anyone, but I find Pony Soldier and Your Footsteps from the Serves You Right CD particularly evocative.
----------------------------------------------------- David C. Hager Tel. 1 (206) 409 3437 (voice and text) www.davidhager.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-c-hager-48948/ Email: da...@davidhager.com -----------------------------------------------------