Matt Giraud performs "Hard To Handle" by The Black Crowes
American Idols Live Tour 2009, Verizon Center, Washington, DC
Photo Credit: Kim Reed
The American Idols Live Tour 2009 made a stop at the Verizon Center last week and just like on the television show the performances ranged from lifeless to simply breathtaking. For some Idols it could be seen as a farewell tour, never to be heard from again, but others left the audience yearning for more.
Matt Giraud not only left the audience wanting more, he left the audience wondering why he was undiscovered until auditioning for Idol in Louisville late last year.
Before auditioning for Idol Matt performed as a dueling pianist who tickled the ivories at a hotel in Kalamazoo, MI. The Examiner.com recently caught up with one of Giraud's former coworkers from the hotel and she had nothing but praise for him. "He is an incredibly well-rounded and versatile performer. He does not read music, and has an almost "photographic" memory when it comes to music. He can hear a piece of music and almost immediately play it...Hard to believe that a year ago he played at a festival around here to almost no one but the vendors! He was an opening act to the headliners, and it was before the crowds showed up for the evening entertainment (4-7 pm). If people had only known."
But after seeing Matt Giraud on the Idol tour people now know what to expect, a charismatic performer and exquisite musicianship. Giraud has an alluringly soulful yet modern voice, expert piano skills and slick dancing. Fans of class acts like Ne-Yo, John Legend, and Alicia Keys will most likely enjoy Giraud.
Although his style has been compared to Justin Timberlake, Giraud is most like Jamie Foxx who can serenade you and make you laugh.
The Idols had a day off before the DC show and Matt Giraud spent the day at some of the city's most popular attractions. Giraud said he, "went to the Capitol building and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and totally geeked out and bought shark week and made lots of Night at the Museum references." He instantly went in to comedian-mode and impersonated a character from the movie. From that point on we laughed more than we talked.
While playing tourist he said someone asked if he was "the guy from the Real World." I told Matt that the show is filming in DC and he said, "I wasn't with a cameraman!"
At this point in the interview Danny Gokey pulled up a chair and Matt Giraud would soon be swept away. But before he left we chatted a bit about the tour. When asked if he received any memorable gifts from fans, Matt asked Danny what he thought. Danny Gokey said, "Matt's fans give him the best professionally printed yearbooks with pictures of fans, tributes, a nice designed paper cover." He then pointed to my Italian leather notebook and said "the books are like this. They probably spend a lot of money printing multiple copies for each other. And I just get scrapbooks like the 3-ring binder type." Of course Danny Gokey was joking but perhaps his fans should step it up and try to catch up to Matt Giraud's.
When asked what they do on the bus, Danny Gokey, still joking, responded, "we talk about girls all night."
Finally before Giraud left I asked if they read reviews or blogs and both said, "not anymore." When asked if they read the funnier Idol related sites like Vote for the Worst or Idletard they briefly squirmed around and Danny changed voices in to a bit of a childish, whiny character and said, "What's Vote for the Worst?" Matt then chimed in, "no they're mean." I said true but at times they can be funny to which he replied, "not to us!"
Add Matt Giraud to your social networking sites because he is a wonderful musician who we need to hear more from. Hopefully he will return to DC again but next time as a headliner performing a full set.
Video Credit: Barbara Burawski
Comments
Wow great article. I already knew that Matt is an extremely talented musician but learning that he can play a piece of music when hearing it just once is absolutely amazing! I haven't seen Matt live yet but I'm looking forward to it and even more now after reading your interview. In my opinion Matt is the most talented up and coming musician I have seen in a very long time especially coming from American Idol. I am so excited to watch this man's career take off. Sign Matt Giraud Now!
Someone needs to Sign MEGAN JOY!
Awesome article! Everybody needs to watch out for Matt Giraud!
Thank you for that article! I would say that you sum it all up by writing "Matt Giraud not only left the audience wanting more, he left the audience wondering why he was undiscovered until auditioning for Idol in Louisville late last year"
This incredibly talented guy needs get signed!
Thank you,great article! Matt Giraud is going to have a long and successful career.Thank you AI for giving us Matt G,now it´s time for a record deal.
For a supposed "comedian", it sounds like Matt Giraud has NO sense of humor. Vote For The Worst is one of the best sites out there. (Gokey is humorless too, but we expect that from the pathetic dead wife pimper.)
Thank you for this wonderful article. Matt is an amazing talent and I cannot wait to see him on a tour of his own. I am so glad people are noticing how wonderful Matt is!
I know nerves got the best of Matt on Idol at times, which really didn't showcase the true Matt. I KNEW he would make new fans out of disbelievers on tour. I've been a fan since day 1! He is a rare find and I just love the passion he exudes when he performs. I remember Simon telling him "you could be great" at his audition....there's not a doubt in my mind! Matt, you're on your way! Thanks for a great article! C'mon record execs..please sign him ASAP!
I just love Matt so much. During the season I got laughed at for being his fan, but now we are both having the last laugh! He will be such a good musician if he is given the chance.
From day 1 till now I have been following Matt G., like almost everyday. A true amazing talent. When he first sang his audition piece, i was like excited for him that instance, like I know he'll go far with his talent. All the more when he played piano and sang 'Georgia on my mind', that was just sick! I believed in him so much, my friends would make fun of me then, fighting for him to win during the show. I wish I could see him in person and I so wish he'll get sign ASAP cuz you don't want to waste this raw talent. keep it up Matt!
How lucky are you to have been able to interview all of these young, talented people!!!!! They all are excellent performers; in their own way. Danny Gokey's story you did on Sophia's foundation was awesome peice. My heart goes out to him, and his kids. I watch his video with the pictures of his wife, and I cry... She was so young, and beautiful. I am a nurse, and have to deal with death daily; but, I have been so blessed to have not lost any member in my immediate family. God Bless Danny, and his family, and her family.
thank you all for the kind words.
Danny is a Dead Wife Pimping piece of crap.
i think matt is more talented than kris allen!! but not adam lambert!!
So Danny talks about girls all night?
I THOUGHT he was a grieving widower!!
Apparently tragedy is not defining his life.
Let's party, dude!!!
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