Episode 82 - Matt James of Blacktop Mojo! Matt is the singer and songwriter for Blacktop Mojo, a band described as "southern grunge."  While they may have got some notoriety for their spot on covers of Aerosmith's "Dream On" or Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight", their original songs light a spark in the current rock scene.  Their music has  been played on rock radio and they currently have a new EP out titled "Static" as well as an upcoming self-titled album.  In concert they have performed with everyone from Papa Roach to Bon Jovi and are scheduled to play "Rock Fest" this summer with Disturbed, Korn & others.  Learn all about Matt's background from growing up in small town Texas to playing football against LSU to the meaning behind some of their songs and much more! 00:00 - Intro00:57 - Welcome Matt & Texas Lingo02:50 - Early Musical Influences 05:02 - Learning Guitar and Singing06:12 - Playing Football at Northwestern St.08:30 - Meeting Drummer Nathan Gillis 09:27 - Band Name "Blacktop Mojo" 11:11 - Meeting the Rest of the Band11:54 - Developing the Band's Sound 13:25 - The Beard & the Furry Vest 16:02 - Tough Look & Fights 16:48 - Performing with an Empty Crowd 18:02 - Quitting Day Jobs & Second Album19:55 - "Dream On" Cover 22:00 - "In The Air Tonight" Cover 22:45 - "Pyromaniac" Song 23:35 - Opening for Bon Jovi 27:30 - "Under the Sun" Album 29:10 - Hard Working Rock Band 30:48 - Shiprocked Cruise 32:58 - Freezing in Colorado Springs 34:04 - Newer Bands To Watch For 35:05 - Streaming Music 36:30 - New EP "Static" & New Self-Titled Album 38:20 - Politics & Lyrical Complexity in Music 40:55 - Arm Wrestling & Weights41:25 - Weaknesses & Singing On the Spot42:30 - Nine Line Foundation 43:15 - Wrap Up Blacktop Mojo Website:https://www.blacktopmojo.comNine Line Foundation:https://ninelinefoundation.orgChuck Shute Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chuck_shute/Support the show (https://venmo.com/Chuck-Shute)