Matt Ward is a serious creative talent in Australian country music. With two #1 Australian ARIA country albums under his belt and performances at some of the world’s biggest country music festivals, Matt Ward is ready for country music’s biggest stages.

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Genuine, steeped in real-world experience and leaving no stone unturned in search for the truth, Matt Ward is a breath of authentic air in Australian country and alternative country music. 

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With years of experience in land management across the outback, Ward delivers authentic country in spades, breaking hearts with classic waltzes whilst kicking down doors with energetic outlaw barnstormers.

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His second studio album "If I Was In Dallas Tonight" (2021), recorded at the famous Texas YellowDOG Studios (Colter Wall, Charley Crockett) was “sublime” (Countrytown) and confirmed Ward as the “genuine article” (News Corp), reaching #1 on the ARIA charts for an Australian Country album.

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The release came off the back of an extensive 21 date pre-album release tour amidst the challenges of COVID and a successful string of singles including ‘Tattoos, Trucks & Country Music’; ’Old Ground’, (with Bonnie Montgomery 4 x Arkansas CMA winner) and 'Lost and Found', several of which charted in the Top 50 for Australian Country songs.

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Off the back of his debut #1 ARIA success with "Heartland" (produced by Matt Fell), the quality and diversity of Ward’s latest work strengthens Matt’s reputation as “world class” (Rhythms Magazine).

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Ward has backed up his superb releases with heavyweight performances as a headline artist at the 2021 Groundwater Music Festival, a showcase artist at Nashville's Bluebird Café (Americanafest 2019) and Australian Music Week, and gigs at high profile national venues such as The Barn Wombat Flat (2021).

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Matt's creative drive, scintillating live performances and authenticity as a story-teller ensure his art is diverse, meaningful and consistently of the highest quality. From the Adelaide Hills to West Texan dive bars, Tamworth to Nashville, Matt is made for country music.

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"Matt Ward is that guy… wordsmith, tunesmith, and craftsman. A songwriter’s songwriter whose material speaks deeply and simultaneously of his journey and of ours.” - Matt Fell (multi ARIA and CMAA award winner)

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Matt's Story

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Matt Ward is a heartfelt musician and storyteller with a unique understanding of humanity and landscapes, making him a compelling voice in Australian Country Music.

 

Matt comes from a large family in the South Australian community of Norwood. As fourth generation bootmakers and footwear retailers, the Wards have been firmly entrenched in the local community since the early 1900s. 

 

After learning from his family the importance of service and community, Matt’s has also had a fascinating journey in wildlife and land management.

 

Matt has spent more than 20 years working in remote regions of South Australia and the Northern Territory. Working with Traditional Owners, land managers and scientists, Matt has lead initiatives to integrate traditional and contemporary science, Aboriginal ranger programs, threatened species recovery projects and worked with regional communities to put them at the heart of change.

 

Matt now draws from these experiences and connections to not only inspire his songwriting and creative drive, but also to give meaning to his art, his audiences and the capacity for art to inspire positive change.

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His two album releases have been used as a platform to raise money for Black Dog Institute as well as the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital Foundation. 

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“…everything that is good about Australian Country Music” 

- Country Music Capital News