Hello everyone, my name is Josh Coats, and I'm the lead singer for a rock band out of Tulsa, OK called Manifest Destiny. I'm the husband of the hottest chic on the planet, and the dad of the cutest 3 boys in the world! Welcome to my blog!
Each month i'll be selecting a band to feature on my blog. I love supporting other bands and helping to spread the word about their music. Most people don't know how much work goes into having a band. It's a lot like having a part time job...with no pay! In fact, it costs money, and quite a bit of it. So when I find a band that I really like, I like to let everyone know about it. My first band to feature is actually a solo artist, and a good friend of mine, by the name of Matt Westmoreland.
Matt got his start playing in some harder rock bands while living in Georgia. One of my favorite stories from him is how he used to play in these small town bars where no one knew how to respond to the hard music they played, so they would just get in fights! I thought that was a compliment to a band, but it always frustrated Matt when everyone would break out into fights at every show.
Matt has settled down a little since his "hardcore" days and now writes folk rock music. His music is raw and his lyrics are sincere. What really stands out to me about Matt is his dedication. He worked a second job for a while to save up money for his music project, and to start his own record label. His label is in the works to help other bands get a start and go on the road with him when he tours. He also is an extremely giving person.
When the tornadoes hit Joplin, MO this year Matt began efforts to raise money for a musician friend of his that had lost everything in the storms. The crazy thing is, he'd just met this friend a week before and hadn't even seen him in person, he'd only talked to him over the internet. Still yet, he was able to get several instruments, clothing, and money donated to his new friend.
If you like good music, it's all over the place (except maybe on the radio). There are musicians messaging you daily asking you to check out their music. There are bands playing every night of the week trying to draw crowds. But if you want something more than music, if you want to support purpose, passion, creativity, and honesty, you should check out my good friend Matt Westmoreland. Go like him on Facebook, and tell him Josh sent you!
Here's Matt's latest work, a music video for his song Nameless Town.
Josh Coats
Manifest Destiny
Thanks and we'd love to have you in Atlanta! The sooner the better. It was my pleasure to write about you and Matt and the passion that goes into what you do. It's something that is always with you and burning and is endless! All my best to you and I'll be looking for more and more and more music! Take care.
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