“Matt is a talent on the guitar and has a great vocal style. Now a Portland resident he's one to watch.”- Chris Darling US Folk WMPG

Matt Shipman, who has become a familiar face on the traditional music stages of New England in the popular bands The Mill City Ramblers and Splittin' Hairs, has now stepped out in front as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with the release of his long-awaited first solo recording,  "Highway Shoes."Released in August 2005, this CD incorporates not only what you would expect from Shipman such as traditional bluegrass and folk tracks, but some new sounds as well. Shipman's rich baritone voice together with his solid mandolin and guitar playing take center stage, and carry the listener down an old-time road, with able support from some of the best players in New England. Contributing on fiddle, dobro, pedal steel, drums, and upright bass are members of Mill City Ramblers, Splittin' Hairs and High Range, as well as Bruce Derr, Jon Nolan, Jon Ross, Joyce Andersen, Roger Williams. The sidemen shine behind Shipman as he sings songs that harken back to the days of old country music, blues, swing and bluegrass. Matt has lent his talents to other musicians records as well including Tree By Leaf, Dierdre Randall, and others.

It's no wonder this young musician does such a good job combining his love of old music with a contemporary feel - he graduated in 2003 from Vermont College with a major in traditional music studies. Matt has been performing professionally for 7 years from Wyoming to Maine, and from New Hampshire to North Carolina. He has played venues near and far such as the Down Home in Johnson City TN and the Baggott Inn in New York City and has opened up for acts like Judith Edelman, Gordon Stone, David Grier, and Solas. These days you can hear him solo, with Splittin’ Hairs a fiddle and guitar duo with Melissa Bragdon, or with his rootsy back-up band, a pedal steel, bass and drums combo, Slant 6 playing around Maine and New Hampshire at some of his favorite rooms: The Press Room and The Dolphin Striker in Portsmouth, NH The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH, The Lompoc Café in Bar Harbor, ME.

       Shipman’s songwriting has recently received recognition in becoming a semi-finalist at the Great Waters Songwriting Contest and being selected as part of a panel of judges at the New England Songwriting Contest as well. Click here to listen to mp3's of Matt's album "Highway Shoes"

“Matt Shipman really pleased the crowd with that great, deep voice, excellent fingerstyle guitar skills, and heartfelt, old-timey melodies and lyrics!  Everyone I spoke with thought that his set was a real pleasure to listen to and watch!”- Bob McIllop Maine Songwriters Association