The Standard In Support

Whether it’s with a bass in his hand or his arms crossed in the control room, artists love having Matt O’Donnell giving them backup. “I really love the role of the bass player,” says O’Donnell. “There’s something about fully embracing the link between the drums and the notes that’s really rewarding. I try and take the mindset of helping be a kind of mortar into all the situations I find myself in.”

It should come as no surprise that embracing the role has put Matt on stage with a wide range of respected artists and songwriters, including Sara Evans, Sean McConnell, Ruston Kelly, Josh Thompson, and Risa Binder. “One day I woke up and realized that my career has been marked by supporting people whose art is taken really seriously. The whole show is about the connection of their art to the listener. From the first note, I want my mindset to be about how I help build a stronger platform for them to launch from.”

More recently, Matt has been working in the producer’s chair to help artists present their songs in the most honest and intentional way possible.

Originally from northeast Pennsylvania, Matt O’Donnell has been living and working as a musician in Nashville since early 2009. He’s happy to mention in hushed tones having attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music to prepare for a career in music. Matt also served as the Managing Editor of Bass Frontiers Magazine online from 2010 - 2015.