Open to co-writing Jazz, Blues, Country, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Novelty & Adult Contemporary songs.
I'm an American lyricist who has been writing songs since 1987. I have ready-to-use lyrics online & write lyrics on demand. I had many collaboration experiences over the past 30 years. I've taken several courses in Creative Writing, Music. Earned a Business Certificate in 2021 and learning Digital Cinematography at Full Sail University.
We'll gather your ideas and mine depending on the genre. I listen to your existing music, as well as any songs with lyrics in a similar style to what you want. This way, I become familiar with your style and I can send you lyrics to look over and use.
My portfolio of lyrics and writing can be found on my website: azwesosongs.com. So far, I've worked with indie musicians and in the early years, a musical. Some people I've collaborated with: ASCAP Artist/Writer/Publisher Lisa Aschmann, Americana Artist Jeff Jacobs, Country Singer/Songwriter Ryan Price, Actor/Composer Christopher Harrington, Artist/Writer/Producer Phillip Harrington, Outside Pedestrian's Co-Founder/Writer/Composer Dr. Anthony Fesmire, Author Jon Fesmire, and Barbara Lopez. The song featured was co-written with Wanz via Grammy U.
Let's collaborate! Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
1 Reviews
Endorse Matthew Kenneth Gray
check_circleVerified (Client)Matthew is a really talented professional songwriter so this gig was a pleasure. A really super nice and patient guy who does what he says he is going to do, his direction was on point and very easy to follow so that I never really had a doubt as to what he was looking for. I really hope he hires me to do all of his songs!
Best
Jeff Jacobs
Interview with Matthew Kenneth Gray
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Lots of lyric ideas and recording new songs.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital but I love acoustic.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I’ll pull out the best that I can create and it will be a unique song or batch of songs
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Every song is different and I just love writing ballads. There’s something about tearjerkers that just makes me thrilled to be a part of because it hits the neck of the listener. At least that’s what I hope to accomplish.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who are your influences? Can I hear them in your work or did you create a new sound based off what you learned from them?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I want to write lyrics with lyricist/composers who like a jump start from the lyrics I provide. I also can edit lyrics if needed or we can start with a title and go from there.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Pens, Notebooks, Rhyming Dictionary. Maybe a Bass Guitar or Uke.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started writing songs at 17 (1986) as a solo Writer/Composer then continued writing with Phil Harrington & Barbara Lopez as a Lyricist. By 50, I had joined BMI then transferred to ASCAP in 2018 to take control of my career as a Writer/Publisher.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Mellow, Heartbreaking, Thoughtful, Acoustic, Naughty.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Miranda Lambert - Just because I love sassy women and her style of writing.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Less is more, make it atmospheric, not a spectacle.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Country - Americana & Folk/Pop but I love writing Piano/Jazz/Theatre songs too. Funny songs as well.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I have a good handle of a title right away as they come to me so that’s my intuition at play. I think intuitively then the song pours out pretty fast.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Whimsy and Melancholy depending on the song I think.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I write in the morning or late at night in quiet but I come up with titles constantly.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: None. I write lyrics in notebooks or in my phone.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Paul Williams, John Denver, David Wilcox, Jackson Browne and Eddie Vedder.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Lyrics. Some melodies.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I think that it’s that it’s easy. Nope, it’s harder than it looks.
I was the Co-Writer in this production
Negotiable via contracts.
