Todd Mathis

The new full length, Learning to do the Harder Thing will be released Friday February 14. The album features 9 new originals that I’ve been working on the last couple of years. Can’t wait to share with everyone.

No, seriously, I don’t actually believe the title of this post.  We’re probably a lot smarter with phones in our pockets and at least read more than we did in the past.  But there is something to be said for just sitting and thinking and unplugging from things like Facebook, Twitter, and the like.

I require a lot of sleep to function.  I’ve tried burning the midnight oil and getting 6-7 hours a night but it doesn’t cut it for me.  My body and mind work much better on 8-9 hours of rest. My red blood cells thank me as well.

I recently picked up a 1920s (I think) banjo in Athens, Ohio while at a family reunion.  I had a local luthier look it over and tell me all the work it needed, then opted to just get a general set up and new bridge/tailpiece added for now.  All of the other repairs will have to wait.  I’ve enjoyed fiddling around with it and making some noise.  I’m sure it will lead to some nice writing sessions once I dig in and see what is hiding in there.  I love the spirit of old instruments.

July 25 I’ll be at Foxfield for the Red Shack Pickers Sessions.  8pm in Columbia, SC.  Join us.

September I’ll be doing a songwriter session to promote the upcoming Ken Burns documentary on Country Music.  Stay tuned for more information on that one.