Matt Bailie

Some may say he’s cocky for a 25 year-old kid (born on June 29, 1987). Some say he’s had everything handed to him, good looks, natural talent, and an instant smile. But some know the real Matt Bailie the humble sweetheart and outgoing Matt . A They know the kid whose entertainer father, David Bailie , died when the plane he was piloting crashed, leaving his young wife Catherine to raise Matt on her own. Some know the Matt Bailie who is obsessed with music. Others know the Matt who tenderly he takes care of his 2 year old daughter. To know and understand Matt Bailie you have to go deeper into his world, but, only after you’ve been invited in. Since Matt took his first steps, he was walking in his father’s footsteps. It didn’t matter that Matt hardly knew his dad, it was built into his DNA. “I didn’t get the chance to know my dad, but I feel him there with me when I’m on stage,” Matt expresses. “He’s there pushing me on ... telling me to give the fans all I have...So thats what I do.” As a young man , Matt's Mother Catherine Bailie who had a small career in film in the 1980s and 1990s recognized Matt's natural ability to entertain , and encouraged Matt to develop his stage awareness. Casting directors agreed that this young man was very special. At the age of twelve , Matt Bailie began his acting career in local a theater appearing in musical productions such as Guys and Dolls; West Side Story;and Phantom Of The Opera. He then Moved on to Film appearing in episodes of WB (CW) TV series , Safe Harbor which Debuted in 1999 that only went for one season , but Matt then quickly picked up a role in a Spanish Moss production Movie (Surfacing) that went strait to DVD in the summer 2001. But Matt still wanted only one thing and that was to play music . Matt didn’t wait for someone to discover his talent. He pushed his way into every opportunity available. At the age of fifteen, Matt was the youngest finalist to make it to the state finals in the Colgate Country Showdown, representing his hometown, Jacksonville, Florida. "The boy makes me think of Garth Brooks when he performs" said one of the judges at the Showdown. By the time Matt was eighteen, he was touring with his own band, a group out of Jacksonville. They opened for artists such as Jason Aldean, Deirks Bentley, 38 Special amongst others. But that was not enough for the ambitious eighteen-year old. Matt had to be in the hub of the country genre. He made the decision to leave his home and move to the music city... SO... on his own... by himself... yes, at age 18 Matt packed up his pick up truck and was headed for Nashville TN. Matt attended Nashville’s SAE Institute of Technology where he studying sound audio engineering, increasing his knowledge of the technical side recording business.Matt's teachers knew his talent's as a singer songwriter but soon found out he had quite a ear in the studio as well . It didn’t take long for Matt’s talent to attract industry approval. Already a strong songwriter, Matt sought the counsel of ASCAP’s VP of Artist Relations, John Briggs. Briggs, calling him a strong songwriter, says of Matt, “He’s determined to make a place for himself in this business.” Matt Bailie has co-produced two Albums with Nashville producer, Chip Martin; the self titled “Matt Bailie” and “Stay Beside Me.” “Country Weekly” magazine featured Matt in their “Listen Up” column in October of 2008 with his song “Here’s Now.” Both of Matt's CD's had three commercially released single's that all went number one on the Florida Country Music chart's where Matt is most known and recognized for his music . Matt Bailie recently signed a management contract with Nashville based firm EMC (Entertainment Management Company, LLC.) Fellow Floridian and very close family friend, and member of the group, 38 Special and the Duo VanZant, Donnie Van Zant says of Matt Bailie, "Keep your ears and eyes open for this talented singer songwriter ‘cause he's on his way."