# Matt Stell > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matt_Stell > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matt_Stell.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Stell > Source revision: 1343083631 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American country music singer, guitarist, and songwriter}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Matt Stell | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|04|19}} | birth_name = Matthew Neal Stell | birth_place = [Center Ridge, Arkansas](/source/Center_Ridge%2C_Arkansas), U.S. | years_active = 2006–present | genre = [Country](/source/Country_music) | label = 124, [Arista Nashville](/source/Arista_Nashville), Records Nashville | website = {{url|http://www.mattstell.com/}} }} '''Matthew Neal Stell''' (born April 19, 1984) is an American [country music](/source/country_music) singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His song "[Prayed for You](/source/Prayed_for_You)" and his EP ''Everywhere but On'' were released in 2019. ==Early life== Stell was born in [Clinton, Arkansas](/source/Clinton%2C_Arkansas), and raised in [Center Ridge, Arkansas](/source/Center_Ridge%2C_Arkansas). He played basketball during high school in the [Amateur Athletic Union](/source/Amateur_Athletic_Union) summer league, and from 2002 to 2006, he played [college basketball](/source/college_basketball) for [Drury University](/source/Drury_University) for four years on an athletic scholarship.{{cite web |last1=Puryear |first1=Scott |title=Former Panther Matt Stell Continues Musical Dream With Return To DU For June 15 Concert With Country Star Josh Turner |url=https://drurypanthers.com/news/2012/6/7/MBB_0607121838.aspx |website=drurypanthers.com |publisher=Drury Athletics |date=August 27, 2019|accessdate=August 27, 2019}}{{cite web |url= https://www.aymag.com/matt-stell-opry-debut/ |title=A Dream Come True: Matt Stell Makes His Opry Debut |publisher=AY Magazine |last=Brosius |first=Jeanni |date=16 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} After college he worked farming and construction jobs while studying for a master's degree in communications at the University of Arkansas. A medical missions trip to Haiti inspired him to apply to a post-baccalaureate premedical program to complete pre-med coursework not taken as a religion and philosophy major.{{cite web|url=https://www.voxmagazine.com/music/preview-matt-stell-and-the-deep-roots/article_d488964d-ad32-5be1-b42a-7333e7f0827e.html|title=Preview: Matt Stell and the Deep Roots|last=Steffens|first=Beth|website=Vox Magazine|date=21 August 2013 |language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}} He applied to Harvard University's Extension School part-time pre-med program, and he was accepted. But in 2014, shortly before the program would have begun, he had the opportunity to sign a publishing deal with Wide Open Music, and he chose music over starting the part-time pre-med program.{{cite web |url= https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2019/05/09/matt-stell-opry-debut-prayed-for-you/1143975001/ |title=Matt Stell walked away from Harvard, earns hit song and Opry debut |publisher=Nashville Tennessean |last=Watts |first=Cindy |date=9 May 2019 |accessdate=24 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/premedical-program/sample-course-path-premedical-program|title=Sample Course Path for the Premedical Program|last=grace_martin|date=2017-02-23|website=Harvard Extension School|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}} ==Music career== In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Stell played as the lead singer of the band ''The Crashers''.{{cite web|url=http://www.outhousetickets.com/Artist/Matt_Stell_and_The_Crashers/|title=Matt Stell and the Crashers|website=Outhouse Tickets|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} During this time, he released three albums independently: ''The Sound & the Story'', ''Vestibule Blues'', and in March 2013, ''A River Through It'',{{cite web |url= https://103kkcn.com/matt-stell-a-river-through-it/ |title=Matt Stell, A River Through It |publisher=KKCN |last=Ryan |first=Ben |date=28 March 2013 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} the latter two of which were on the label 124 Records. He continued playing gigs, and opened for major artists including [Luke Bryan](/source/Luke_Bryan) and [Eric Church](/source/Eric_Church). He also wrote for other artists, including Bart Crow, [Casey Donahew](/source/Casey_Donahew), and the John D. Hale Band.{{cite web |url= https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/talking-with-matt-stell-april-4-2019/ |title=Talking With Matt Stell – April 4, 2019 |publisher=Talk About Las Vegas |author=Ira |date=3 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} He moved to Nashville in 2014. Stell released an EP, ''Last of the Best'', on March 16, 2018. He also released the single, "Prayed For You", which he co-wrote with Allison Veltz and producer [Ash Bowers](/source/Ash_Bowers).{{cite web |url= https://theboot.com/matt-stell-prayed-for-you-lyrics/ |title=Story Behind the Song: Matt Stell, 'Prayed for You' |work= The Boot |date=April 11, 2019 |first=Carena |last=Liptak}} ''Rolling Stone'' named "Prayed For You" one of the "10 Best Country Songs to Hear Now".{{cite web |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/best-country-songs-blake-shelton-alice-wallace-815950/ |title=10 Best Country and Americana Songs to Hear Now: Blake Shelton, Alice Wallace |publisher=Rolling Stone |last=Crawford |first=Robert |date=1 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} The song captured the attention of [Barry Weiss](/source/Barry_Weiss), former president and CEO of [Jive Records](/source/Jive_Records), who signed Stell to his label, RECORDS, in July 2018.{{cite web |url= https://www.allaccess.com/country/10-questions/archive/29567/10-questions-with-matt-stell |title=10 Questions with ... Matt Stell |publisher=All Access |date=3 March 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} Keith Gale, president of Good Company Entertainment, signed on to promote the song to radio.{{cite web |url= https://bulletins.billboard.com/country/country_update_0304.pdf |title=Matt Stell Captures A Life-Changing Journey In 'Prayed For You' |publisher=Billboard |last=Roland |first=Tom |date=4 March 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} Also in 2018, Stell was named a CMT Discovery Artist.{{cite web |url= http://www.cmt.com/news/1805291/how-matt-stell-keeps-the-faith/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190412192155/http://www.cmt.com/news/1805291/how-matt-stell-keeps-the-faith/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= April 12, 2019 |title=How Matt Stell Keeps the Faith |publisher=CMT News |last=Bonaguro |first=Alison |date=11 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} In February 2019, "Prayed For You" reached No. 36 on ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))''{{'}}s Hot Country Songs chart{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8506942/records-ceo-founder-barry-weiss-interview-photos |title=Why RECORDS CEO Barry Weiss Is Betting on Country - and Unproven Talent - in His Latest Act |publisher=Billboard |last=Karp |first=Hannah |date=12 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} and in March 2019 it reached No. 54 on ''[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))''{{'}}s Country Airplay chart.{{cite web |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8502319/country-streaming-data-debut-singles-radio |title=More Than a (Gut) Feeling: Streaming Data Changes Game For Country Artists Launching Debut Singles |publisher=Billboard |last=Roland |first=Tom |date=13 March 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} The song received over 15 million plays on [Spotify](/source/Spotify) and 44 million altogether within just over a year. The official music video for the song starred reality TV star [Savannah Chrisley](/source/Savannah_Chrisley) and her fiancé, hockey player Nic Kerdiles. It premiered at ''People'' on July 9, 2018{{cite web |url= https://people.com/tv/savannah-chrisley-first-ever-music-video-todd-approval/ |title=Savannah Chrisley Stars in Her First Music Video (with Her Boyfriend!) After Dad Todd's Approval |publisher=People |last=Mizoguchi |first=Karen |date=9 July 2018 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} and received over 4.3 million views on [YouTube](/source/YouTube) in its first 10 months. Matt made his [Grand Ole Opry](/source/Grand_Ole_Opry) debut on April 27, 2019. The same month, [Arista Nashville](/source/Arista_Nashville) and [Sony Music Nashville](/source/Sony_Music_Nashville) joined the team working to promote his career.{{cite web |url= https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/186022/matt-stell-benefits-from-new-partnership-with-aris |title=Matt Stell Benefits From New Partnership With Arista Nashville |publisher=All Access |date=29 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}}{{cite web |url= https://musicrow.com/2019/04/records-sony-music-nashville-announce-new-partnership-deal-with-matt-stell/ |title=RECORDS, Sony Music Nashville Announce New Partnership Deal With Matt Stell |publisher=Music Row |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=29 April 2019 |accessdate=1 May 2019}} He makes a return appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on June 12, 2019, with [Old Crow Medicine Show](/source/Old_Crow_Medicine_Show) and the [Del McCoury Band](/source/Del_McCoury_Band). In May, Taste of Country named him an Artist to Watch.{{cite web |url= https://tasteofcountry.com/country-artists-to-watch-may-2019/ |title=Who's Rising Now? 5 Artists to Watch in May 2019 |publisher=Taste of Country |last=Houghton |first=Cillea |date=1 May 2019 |accessdate=24 May 2019}} His major label debut EP, the seven-song ''Everywhere But On'', released May 24, 2019, on Records/[Arista Nashville](/source/Arista_Nashville),{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/matt-stell-prayed-for-you-new-music-everywhere-but-on-833977/|title='Prayed for You' Singer Matt Stell Details 'Everywhere but On' EP |first=Jon |last=Freeman |date=May 10, 2019 |magazine = Rolling Stone }} a week after the debut of the music video for the title track.{{cite web |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Matt-Stell-Debuts-New-Music-Video-For-EVERYWHERE-BUT-ON-20190517 |title=Matt Stell Debuts New Music Video For EVERYWHERE BUT ON |publisher=Broadway World |date=17 May 2019 |accessdate=22 May 2019}} The EP includes a collaboration with [Jimmie Allen](/source/Jimmie_Allen). On September 16, 2019, Stell was presented with a RIAA Gold certification for "Prayed for You".{{cite web|url=https://www.kix921.com/music/matt-stell-earns-first-gold-single/|title=Matt Stell Earns First Gold Single|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921143744/https://www.kix921.com/music/matt-stell-earns-first-gold-single/|archivedate=September 21, 2019|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} On October 8, 2021, Stell released the song "Boyfriend Season."{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4GTPxpOF0M|title=Matt Stell - Boyfriend Season (Audio)|location=YouTube|date=October 8, 2021}} The song is slated for inclusion alongside the ''Better Than That'' EP tracklist on an upcoming album, set to be released in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://countrynow.com/matt-stell-sets-the-record-straight-on-new-track-boyfriend-season-teases-forthcoming-record/|title=Matt Stell Sets The Record Straight On New Track, 'Boyfriend Season,' Teases Forthcoming Record|first=Tiffany|last=Goldstein|website=Country Now|date=24 November 2021|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} In 2022, he released the single "Man Made" as well as the promotional single "One of Us".{{cite web|url=https://countrynow.com/matt-stell-shares-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-on-his-new-album-with-one-of-us/|title=Matt Stell Shares A Taste Of What's To Come On His New Album With 'One Of Us'|first=Madeline|last=O'Connell|work=Country Now|date=September 30, 2022|access-date=November 30, 2022}} ==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:12em;"| Title ! style="width:20em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"|''The Sound & the Story'' | * Release date: March 3, 2009{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-sound-the-story-mw0001721510|title=Matt Stell - The Sound & The Story|website=AllMusic|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} * Label: Independent |- ! scope="row"|''Vestibule Blues'' | * Release date: May 11, 2011{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3C1ZhvkfafJnIVdhLqsrGQ?si=MG9mzC8iS2ujm9XWVqVRSw|title=Vestibule Blues - Matt Stell|website=Spotify|date=May 2011|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} * Label: 124 Records |- ! scope="row"|''A River Through It'' | *Release date: March 19, 2013{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/4rvSZZEYudtwGlD4oZHslx?si=9D8rgychS5SN2Tj8KgQptA|title=A River Through It - Matt Stell|website=Spotify|date=19 March 2013|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} * Label: 124 Records |- ! scope="row"|''Born Lonely'' | *Release date: June 7, 2024{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/7000MO2d4WELTAJZdokU3d?si=_CYEQX97TkyxZDqtZCEk6g|title=Born Lonely - Matt Stell|website=Spotify|date=June 7, 2024|accessdate=July 5, 2024}} * Label: Records |} ===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:12em;"| Title ! style="width:20em;"| Album details |- ! scope="row"|''Live at the Snorty Horse'' | * Release date: 2006{{cite web|url=https://www.sonicbids.com/band/mattstell/|title=Matt Stell & The Crashers|website=Sonicbids|accessdate=December 24, 2021}} * Label: Independent |} ===Extended plays=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| EP details !| Peak chart positions |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:45px;"| [US
Country](/source/Top_Country_Albums)
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-stell/chart-history/clp/ |title=Matt Stell Chart History: Top Country Albums |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 8, 2021}} |- ! scope="row"| ''Last of the Best''{{cite web |url=https://www.thecountrynote.com/in-the-news/country-singer-songwriter-matt-stell-releases-debut-ep-last-of-the-best/ |title= Country Singer/Songwriter Matt Stell Releases Debut EP, 'Last of the Best'|date=March 17, 2018|work=The Country Note}} | * Release date: March 16, 2018 * Label: Wide Open | — |- ! scope="row"| ''Everywhere but On'' | * Release date: May 24, 2019 * Label: Records, Arista Nashville | 32 |- ! scope="row"| ''Better Than That'' | * Release date: October 16, 2020 * Label: Records, Arista Nashville | 43 |- ! scope="row"| ''One of Us'' | * Release date: February 10, 2023 * Label: Records | — |- | colspan="6" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart |} ===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:9em;"| Sales ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album/EP |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! scope="col" style="width:45px;"| [US](/source/Billboard_Hot_100)
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-stell/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Matt Stell Chart History: Hot 100 |magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine)) |access-date=June 8, 2021}} ! scope="col" style="width:45px;"| [US Country](/source/Hot_Country_Songs)
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-stell/chart-history/csi/ |title=Matt Stell Chart History: Hot Country Songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 8, 2021}} ! scope="col" style="width:45px;"| [US Country Airplay](/source/Country_Airplay)
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-stell/chart-history/csa/ |title=Matt Stell Chart History: Country Airplay |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 29, 2024}} ! scope="col" style="width:45px;"| [CAN Country](/source/Canada_Country)
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-stell/chart-history/ccw/ |title=Matt Stell Chart History: Canada Country |magazine=Billboard |access-date=June 8, 2021}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2019 ! scope="row"| "[Prayed for You](/source/Prayed_for_You)" | 36 | 2 | 1 | 23 | *US: 134,000{{cite web |last=Bjorke |first=Matt |title=Top 30 Digital Country Tracks - Pure Sales: December 9, 2019 |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2019/12/44071-top-30-digital-country-tracks-pure-sales-december-9-2019 |work=Rough Stock |date=December 8, 2019 |accessdate=January 1, 2020 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225190105/http://roughstock.com/news/2019/12/44071-top-30-digital-country-tracks-pure-sales-december-9-2019 |url-status=dead }} | * [RIAA](/source/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America): 2× Platinum{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Prayed for You|artist=Matt Stell}} | rowspan="2"| ''Everywhere but On'' |- ! scope="row"| "[Everywhere but On](/source/Everywhere_but_On)" | 48 | 11 | 1 | 6 | | * RIAA: Gold{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=single|title=Everywhere but On|artist=Matt Stell}} |- |2021 !scope="row"| "That Ain't Me No More" | — | 47 | 35 | — | | | {{Non-album single}} |- |2022 !scope="row"| "Man Made"{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|title=Future Releases for Country Radio Stations|website=AllAccess|accessdate=April 26, 2022|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221052758/https://www.allaccess.com/country/future-releases|url-status=dead}} | — | — | 36 | — | | | ''One of Us'' |- |2023 !scope="row"| "Breakin' In Boots"{{cite web | url=https://musicrow.com/single-track-releases/ | title=Single/Track Releases }} | — | — | 21 | 48 | | | ''Born Lonely'' |- | colspan="9" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a release that did not chart |} ==References== {{Reflist}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Stell, Matt}} Category:Living people Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:Singer-songwriters from Arkansas Category:Country musicians from Arkansas Category:20th-century American male musicians Category:Arista Nashville artists Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Drury Panthers men's basketball players Category:University of Arkansas alumni --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matt Stell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Stell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Stell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.