Mike Mattison: The Soulful Voice of American Roots Rock

Mike Mattison is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known as the longtime vocalist for the Grammy-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, his career is defined by a powerful, blues-soaked voice and a deep commitment to soul, blues, and rock traditions. His work, both as a frontman and a collaborator, has been central to several acclaimed albums that have topped the Billboard Blues charts.

Early career

Born in 1969, Mike Mattison's musical journey began in earnest after he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. He formed the blues-rock band Scrapomatic with guitarist and songwriter Paul Olsen in the late 1990s. The duo independently released their self-titled debut album in 2002, establishing Mattison's raw vocal style and sharp songwriting within the American roots music scene.

Breakthrough

Mattison's major breakthrough came with his recruitment by slide guitar virtuoso Derek Trucks. He joined the Derek Trucks Band in 2002, contributing backing and co-lead vocals. His role expanded significantly on the band's 2006 album Songlines, which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album, catapulting Mattison into the national spotlight.

Key tracks

Midnight in Harlem — This Tedeschi Trucks Band epic, co-written by Mattison, is a live-show staple and a masterclass in soulful, building tension.

Part of Me — Featured on the Derek Trucks Band's Already Free, this track showcases Mattison's lead vocal prowess on a Grammy-winning album.

I Want My Soul Back — A standout from Scrapomatic's catalog, this song highlights Mattison's grittier, blues-rock side as a frontman.

Anyhow — From Tedeschi Trucks Band's 2019 album Signs, this track demonstrates his continued vital role as a co-writer and vocalist in the ensemble.

Following the formation of the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010, Mattison became an integral part of the 12-piece powerhouse. He has co-written and provided distinctive vocals on all of the band's studio albums, including the number-one Billboard Blues chart entries Revelator (2011) and Let Me Get By (2016). Beyond the collective, he has maintained Scrapomatic and released solo work, such as the 2021 album Afterglow, exploring a broader range of Americana.

His collaborations extend to projects like the Music Maker Relief Foundation and recordings with artists like Susan Tedeschi on her 2008 album Back to the River. Mattison's career is a testament to the power of voice and songwriting within the collaborative framework of modern American roots music.

Fans of Mattison's soul-drenched style should also explore Gregg Allman for similar blues-rock vocal gravitas. The guitar-driven Southern rock of The Allman Brothers Band is a clear foundational influence. For another powerful modern voice in the genre, listen to Susan Tedeschi. The raw, poetic blues approach of Chris Whitley also shares a kindred spirit with Mattison's solo and Scrapomatic work.

Mike Mattison's rich catalog receives regular airplay on a variety of radio formats featured on this website. His songs with Tedeschi Trucks Band are fixtures on classic rock and blues FM stations, while his solo and Scrapomatic projects find a home on independent music radio stations and online rock radio streams dedicated to deeper album cuts.

The music of Mike Mattison, a key architect of the modern American roots rock sound, can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his vast contributions to the genre by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.