Kempmusik

If you hire me, you’re getting a solo guitarist who shows up on time, plays his heart out, and makes your event feel just a little more special.

My performance style is low-key, melodic, and built to serve the moment—never flashy, never overwhelming. I specialize in instrumental guitar with a focus on fingerstyle arrangements of familiar tunes (classics, oldies, 70s–2000s, and some originals). It’s music people recognize and enjoy, without having to talk over it.

Whether you’re planning a birthday, wedding, dinner party, or corporate event, I’ll work with you to create the right atmosphere—be it background ambiance or something a little more interactive, like sing-alongs or song requests. I’m happy to tailor the setlist to fit the vibe and the audience.

If you’re looking for a little more energy, I can bring along a second musician to expand the sound. I perform regularly as one half of Grandad’s Whiskey, an acoustic, feel-good Red Dirt duo, or as a stripped-down version of my high-energy blues-rock band Punky Bluester, featuring my longtime drummer, Bam Bam. Either way, it’s still compact, still easy to set up—but a little more kick if that’s what you’re after.

I bring all my own gear, take up very little space, and can set up just about anywhere with access to one power outlet (if amplification is needed). I’m easy to work with, quick to communicate, and committed to making sure the music fits your vision.

Best suited for:
Weddings & rehearsal dinners
Birthday parties (especially milestone ages)
Backyard gatherings & family events
Corporate receptions & mixers
Intimate house concerts
Art shows, galleries & open houses
Restaurants, wineries & coffee shops

Matthew Kemp – Guitarist for Hire

Hi, I’m Matt. I’ve been playing guitar since I was 10, when I bought my first axe with birthday money and immediately wrote a “song” that had zero chords. It wasn’t good—but it was the beginning of a lifelong obsession with music.

I specialize in instrumental guitar—laid-back, melodic, and meant to make your event feel a little more special without stealing the spotlight. I don’t bring a smoke machine, and I won’t try to “wow” you with shredding solos (unless you really want that). I just show up, play beautifully, and make the moment feel right.

My music’s a bit like a well-worn leather jacket—broken in, comfortable, and cooler than it needs to be. Over the years, I’ve played everything from dive bars to weddings, and festivals to backyard parties. I also spent 20 years in radio, taught at a music school, ran a non-profit, and currently produce audio for everything from commercials to indie albums. Basically, I’ve been swimming in sound most of my life.

If you’re looking for a seasoned pro who brings real heart (and his own gear), I’d love to be part of your event. Requests? I’ll learn ’em. Need a chill vibe? I’ve got you. Just don’t ask me to dance.

I Can provide s sound system appropriate for most rooms, all I need is a single electrical outlet. the footprint of my equipment and the amount of space I need to perform is relatively small, and I can usually fit into one corner of a room, utilizing a space of less than 50 square feet (roughly 6' x 8'), or thereabouts.

If the venue already has a stage & sound system, that's great too! I can easily patch into an existing system, as it's just two Instrument Inputs (1/4" TS connections) and one Microphone. if the booking has requested an instrumental performance (no vocals), then I don't even need the Mic.