My Music Matters is a weekly intimate chat with an artist, academic, music industry insider, and/or influencer that explores their career, personal perspective of the industry, and why the music that’s important to them matters to us all.
Nwaka Onwusa
For our first My Music Matters Artist Chat of 2021, NMAAM welcomes Rock and Roll Hall of Fame VP of Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator, Nwaka Onwusa. The Southern California native who began her curatorial career at the GRAMMY Museum at LA Live is also one of the newest members of the National Museum of African American Music’s MIRC (Music Industry Relations Committee).
Eric Roberson
GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, recording artist, and producer Eric Roberson is one of the most widely acclaimed independent artists of our era. Heralded as the “King of Independent Soul/R&B,” this multi-faceted music creator was our guest for one of our My Music Matters Artist Chats.
Bobby Rush
GRAMMY Award-winning blues hero Bobby Rush was our guest for a My Music Matters Artist Chat. Join us as we sat down with this Blues Hall of Fame and Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame inductee to discuss his 7-decade career
Paul Kwami
Paul Kwami has proudly served as musical director of the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers since 1994, and we were honored to have him as a guest for our My Music Matters Artist Chat. In our interview, we discussed the ensemble’s rich history and its continuing cultural significance.
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter and Tony Award-winning stage actress Dee Dee Bridgewater is our guest for this week’s My Music Matters Artist Chat. Join us Weds., Nov. 18 at 5PM CST/6PM EST on Facebook Live for our one-on-one conversation with this legendary jazz icon!
Meshell Ndegeocello
Meshell Ndegeocello is one of the most innovative and influential artists of our time, and NMAAM was honored to welcome her as a guest for our My Music Matters Artist Chat. Here is our conversation with this critically-acclaimed, GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Shemekia Copeland
Critically-acclaimed award-winning recording artist Shemekia Copeland blends blues, R&B, and Americana into a sound that is all her own. On Oct. 28, she joined us for a My Music Matters Artist Chat to discuss her new album, ‘Uncivil War.’
Hubby Jenkins
Brooklyn-born multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins joined us for a My Music Matters Artist Chat. Jenkins’ mastery of country blues, fiddle, banjo, ragtime, and traditional jazz made him an integral part of the GRAMMY Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, and he continues to tour with former CCD bandmate, Rhiannon Giddens.
Willie Jones
Shreveport, LA-born Willie Jones knew a life in country music was his destiny at the age of 14. Hailed by Rolling Stone Magazine as “the future of country music,” Jones’ innovative blend of hip hop and country has scored him millions of streams and a growing fan base. We were pleased to have welcomed Willie Jones as one of our My Music Matters Artist Chat’s.
Jimmie Allen
Platinum-selling Stoney Creek Records recording artist Jimmie Allen made history when he became the first Black artist to score two consecutive #1 hits on country radio, “Best Shot” followed by “Make Me Want To.” Now, he’s up for New Artist of the Year at the 54th Annual CMA Awards. In celebration of Country Music Month, NMAAM was excited to welcome this groundbreaking singer and songwriter as our guest on our My Music Matters Artist Chat.
VaShawn Mitchell
We’re closing out Gospel Music Heritage Month with Stellar Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer VaShawn Mitchell as our guest for NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat. Tune in Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5PM CST/6PM EST on Facebook Live!
Dr Bobby Jones
He’s a living gospel legend and icon, and we had the opportunity to go LIVE with him! NMAAM welcomed the one and only Dr. Bobby Jones as a guest for our weekly My Music Matters Artist chat on Facebook Live.
SHANNON SANDERS
On April 15, Musician, producer, and musical director SHANNON SANDERS was the first guest for NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat series on Facebook Live.
AVERY SUNSHINE
Singer, songwriter, and recording artist Avery*Sunshine and her husband/manager, musician and producer Dana Johnson, sat down with NMAAM president and CEO Henry Beecher Hicks for the second installment of NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat series which aired on Friday, April 17 on Facebook Live.
CRIAG KING
For this My Music Matters Artist Chat, we’re thrilled to have welcomed Nashville singer, songwriter, and musician Bizz!
YO-YO
Hip-hop icon YoYo Fearless was our guest on Friday, April 24 for NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat on Facebook Live for a one-on-one conversation with this legendary GRAMMY-nominated emcee, actor, and entrepreneur.
R.LUM.R
Nashville-based R&B singer and songwriter R.LUM.R is one of the most exciting new artists to emerge in recent years. From humble beginnings in Bradenton, FL with just a guitar and a dream, to touring the world, amassing a global audience, and signing with Island Records, R.LUM.R is a musician who has paved his own way.
MICHAEL BEARDEN
Michael Bearden wears a multitude of hats: Keyboardist, conductor, arranger, and music director for Lady Gaga. On Friday, May 1, he was our guest for NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat, where we learned more about his journey as an artist and his career accomplishments.
MICKEY GUYTON
Capitol Nashville country music recording artist Mickey Guyton was our guest for NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat, on Facebook Live Weds., May 20th.
GRAMPS MORGAN
NMAAM was thrilled to welcome reggae and lovers rock icon, Gramps Morgan as our guest for My Music Matters Artist Chat. As a member of the groundbreaking reggae band Morgan Heritage, Gramps Morgan has toured the world and connected people all over the globe through music.
MARY WILSON
There are legends, and then there are SUPREME legends! NMAAM was excited to welcome singer, best-selling author, motivational speaker, and founding member of The Supremes, Mary Wilson, to our My Music Matters Artist Chat on Wednesday, June 10.
THE ORIGIN
This My Music Matters Artist Chat features The OriGin Band. On Wednesday, June 17 NMAAM went live with this talented group of artists and moderator Craig King
BIZZ
For this My Music Matters Artist Chat, we’re thrilled to have welcomed Nashville singer, songwriter, and musician Bizz!
LIN ROUNDTREE
We were thrilled to welcome chart-topping artist Lin Rountree, aka the “Soul Trumpeter,” as our guest for a My Music Matters Artist Chat! With his Billboard #1 hit “Pass the Groove,” Rountree has established himself as one of the most sought-after songwriters and musicians of his generation.
MATHEW KNOWLES
It’s not every day that you get to sit down with one of the most influential people in music and entertainment and hear their story, and NMAAM is thrilled to have welcomed music executive, best-selling author, and CEO of Music World Entertainment, Mathew Knowles as our guest in our My Music Matters Artist Chat series! On July 8th.
RUBY AMANFU
She’s released a string of solo albums, co-wrote H.E.R.’s hit “Hard Place,” and her songs have appeared on TV shows such as ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ and ‘Nashville.’ GRAMMY, Soul Train, and BET Award-nominated singer/songwriter Ruby Amanfu joined us for a My Music Matters Artist Chat.
MALINA MOYE
NMAAM welcomed internationally-renowned, award-winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist Malina Moye Music to our My Music Matters Artist Chat.
DEVON GILFILLIAN
Capitol Records recording artist Devon Gilfillian joined NMAAM’s My Music Matters Artist Chat on Wednesday, July 29. During this chat, we had the opportunity to go deep with this Philadelphia-born, Nashville-based artist raised on a steady diet of R&B, soul, hip-hop, rock, and blues, whose debut album, ‘Black Hole Rainbow,’ has garnered critical acclaim.
BREN JOY
NMAAM was thrilled to welcome singer, songwriter, and Nashville native Bren Joy to our My Music Matters Artist Chat. Bren is an accomplished music creator and recording artist whose 2019 EP, ‘Twenties,’ has garnered nearly 6 million streams on Spotify.
NAIMA COCHRANE
Naima Cochrane is a 20-year music industry veteran whose experience runs the gamut from marketing, to artist management, to music journalism. As the creator of the massively popular #MusicSermon Twitter series, her deep knowledge of music and pop culture makes her one of the most trusted voices in entertainment and media. We were excited to have her as our guest for our weekly My Music Matters Artist Chat.
BOBBY SESSIONS
Acclaimed Def Jam recording artist Bobby Sessions was our guest for our weekly My Music Matters Artist Chat’s. We were LIVE, with the Dallas native who co-wrote Megan Thee Stallion’s chart-topping “Savage,” and whose new single “Fight” tackles social justice issues
BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON
NMAAM welcomed gospel recording artist Brian Courtney Wilson as our guest for a My Music Matters Artist Chat. September is Gospel Music Heritage Month, and we’re excited to chat with this singer, songwriter, and host of the Breathe Again with Brian Courtney Wilson radio broadcaster about the power and importance of music, especially in this moment.