Artist Spotlight – Matt Leadbetter

By: Marsha Channell

While Phil Leadbetter was a member of JD Crowe’s band back in the day, there was no question whether Phil could bring his son along to watch him play on stage.  Watching his dad perform on stage was one reason our Artist Spotlight, Matt Leadbetter, picked up the dobro as a young boy. Now that we know Matt had influential and well-known artists to look up to, let’s get to know Matt a little better.

Having music in his bloodline and growing up in Sevierville, TN (beautiful backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains), Matt definitely grew up with excellent influences – his father, the great late Dolly Parton and many others. It wasn’t until Matt started going out to gigs/festivals with his dad that he picked up the dobro and started playing. Watching his dad and taking in the atmosphere of bluegrass music, Matt’s interest was peaked and created the drive to become a true musician himself.

Becoming the musician that his dad would be proud of was Matt’s first and foremost goal to achieve. Like any other boy growing up, that all sounds straight forward and easy – then the traveling began and goals shifted a little.  You see, Matt began playing live when he was only 13 yrs old with a local band called Misty River at the Campbell County High School in Lafollette, TN. Just a year later Matt was getting rides from a friend and catching a bus when he began playing professionally with Lynwood Lunsford and The Misty Valley Boys.

His goal of making his father proud didn’t go away, it changed! Matt didn’t want to only make his dad proud – he wanted to combine everything from his dad, who he was and what he had taught him, and become a better version of his dad. Phil Leadbetter (Matt’s dad) was a successful artist – achieved multiple awards including IBMA Resophonic Guitar of the Year, Inducted into The Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, and many other awards – and Matt wanted to achieve such acknowledgements and awards.

As of today, Matt is definitely making a name for himself in the Bluegrass world.  He is a faithful member of Dale Ann Bradley’s band and has been recognized by his peers by being awarded the SPBGMA Dobro Player of the Year (2025 and 2026) along with nominations for IBMA Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year (2024-2026). It’s always awesome to achieve recognition for such talent but Matt’s main focus is on his solid bound and faith in Jesus, his deep love for his wife and children along with honoring his heritage.

In 2003 at the Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN, Matt was given the opportunity to play 2 songs (Tennessee Hound Dog and Rocky Top) at the 50 yard line in front of 150,000 people during the Tennessee vs South Carolina game. Per Matt, “it was so awesome” and will always be a memory he won’t forget. Another memory that Matt will hold close to his heart and refer to many times is the moment when he was playing the Grand Ole Opry after his dad had passed. That night, honoring his dad (Phil Leadbetter) Matt used his dobro and strap along with wearing his dad’s suit coat – it gave Matt the sense of having a piece of his dad with him on stage.

With the many miles traveled under his belt, so-to say, Matt has seen first-hand how much the bluegrass genre is full of loving people. From noticing it now as an adult, it was there when he was a young boy backstage with his dad and sharing experiences with JD Crowe and many other big artists. Traveling with his dad when he was young was probably the best decision he every made within his music career. From the best decision to the biggest thing he has learned over the years and miles, Matt would say, “be yourself and stay humble, no matter what”.  Matt watched his dad live by that, and Matt only hopes that people will remember him one day as being a great musician but as an even better person.

Matt debuted his first album in 2015 (self-titled ‘Matt Leadbetter’). From his first album to his new album coming out in 2027, Matt feels that he has put more thought into song selection/material and/or musicians.

I have to say, if his new album has as much thought in all the songs as he has put into the single “Gone Before You Got To Where You Were Going” that is out now, we are in for an amazing album. Matt explained that the single was written by Steve Gulley and Bob Minner along with his dad, Phil, in the room. Matt went on to explain that he didn’t know about it until Bob Minner told him that Steve’s wife Debbie Gulley had been carrying the lyrics in her purse since Steve passed.

Tim Shelton honestly delivers this song in the most emotional style one could. His raw voice is harmonized beautifully with Mike Rogers. Listening to the song, you can definitely notice the arrangement was thought out perfectly, highlighting the vocals but providing the perfect instrumental support by some of the strongest musicians in the business – Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin, Bob Minner on guitar and Kameron Keller on bass.

Truthfully, after learning more about Matt and re-listening to the song “Gone Before You Got To Where You Were Going”, I feel this song has a lot of parallels to Matt’s life and can be related by many others.

Rapid questions –

What is your favorite Holiday and why?  “I love Christmas. I Love the reason for the season. It’s also this time of year where everyone seems so happy.”

What is your favorite saying/quote? “Leave things better than you found them no matter what it may be”

What has been your favorite destination?  “I love small towns with a laid back atmosphere with a great coffee shop.”

Do you have a favorite sport – who is your favorite team?  “I love college football and I love my Tennessee Vols – GO VOLS!!!!”

What is your favorite type of car?  “I like Chevy trucks.”

Do you have a hobby outside of music?  “I don’t really have any hobbies outside of music, but when I am not on the road, I love being with my wife and kids.”

What is your favorite kind of Ice Cream?  Rocky Road

What is your favorite junk food?  “Just about anything sweet especially a good cheesecake or banana pudding”.

What is your favorite Actor / Actress?  Love all movies with John Candy – they are great movies.

What’s been happening lately –

Matt Leadbetter has been busy working on his second album with Sound Biscuit.  His fans can look for it to be released next year (2027).

Matt Leadbetter received his third nomination for IBMA Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year (2026).

Make sure to give a listen to his latest single “Gone Before You Got To Where You Were Going” – co-written by Bob Minner and Steve Gulley. Lead Vocals – Tim Shelton and harmony vocals by Mike Rogers and Matt Leadbetter.

All fans can grab their merch from his website – mattleadbettermusic.com along with staying in-the-know when new music to be released next year.