New Jersey Stage 2017: Issue 8 | Page 59

around but continuing to pro- duce great music. Like A Radio continues that message. “Being on the outer curve of music and working without a net is an art,” continued Matthews. “I love what I do and as long as that’s the case I will continue to be that obscure guy from the 60s. For me it’s not about the numbers. It’s more a testament that I’m still here and feeling the muse. New recordings are musi- cal calling cards, reminding peo- ple who you are now and where they can find you.” Matthews will never be just an obscure guy from the 60s. In fact, Fairport Convention is often thought of as one of the most important bands in English folk rock history. Even though he was only with the band from 1967– 1969, he was part of the pivotal creation of the group. Look- ing back at that period of time, he says they were just “five kids NJ STAGE 2017 - Vol. 4 No. 8 having fun with the daily grind” - none of them had any idea about the importance of what the band meant to the folk scene or what they would mean to history. “My entire career has been a series of fortunate encounters,” said Matthews who was very sur- prised when he topped the UK charts. “Any kind of success in this business takes me by sur- prise. ‘Woodstock’ was the first INDEX NEXT ARTICLE 59