ACM Weekend On Fremont Street Experience - Day 1
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
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Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday today points it focus towards and up-and-coming singer and songwriter who originally focused on balls and strikes over three chord country.

Born and raised in Sylva, North Carolina, Matt Stillwell was an All Conference infielder and outfielder during his days at Western Carolina University. Despite the beliefs of many scouts that he had what it took to be a major league draft choice, Stillwell eventually chose his music career over one on a baseball diamond.

"I could have chased the dream and went and tried out and played independent ball, but I thought, 'If I'm going to chase something,' I’d rather it be music."..Matt Stillwell

Stillwell has released 4 studio albums on 3 independent labels, his first album, 2005's The Couch Sessions, was a self-produced and released project, as was his 2004 EP At A Glance. He has released 6 singles from those projects, with the highest charting being 2008's "Shine" and 2012's "Ignition", both peaked on the Billboard Country chart at #52. Stillwell is currently in the studio finishing up work on a new album.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Today we feature the first single from that forthcoming album. Matt Stillwell and “Hey Dad”, a song Stillwell wrote about the loss of his father, is today's Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday Catch of the day. The song, which has already received over 18 million views online, is new music you may not have heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

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