SONGWRITING COMMUNITY RALLIES BEHIND SINGER SHOT AT 5 POINTS

Nashville’s songwriting community rallies behind Matt Lovell.

Matt Lovell is a member of the local songwriting community who was shot in the chest outside of the Red Door Saloon in East Nashville earlier this year. The incident was the result of a car jacking that took place in Nashville’s popular “5 Points” area. The singer sat down with Nashville Unsigned to tell us about how the shooting has changed his life.

I first learned of Matt’s story through a common friend and musician, Charlie Lowell (Jars of Clay). Straightaway, I wanted to learn more about the frightening events that took place here on the sidewalks of the town I call home. I invited folk/soul artist Matt Lovell to Nashville Unsigned’s headquarters to learn more about his experience.

The young man, teasing 6 foot, showed up in tight jeans, stylish socks, and a well-groomed beard. But what stood out to me immediately was his smile. I don’t know what I expected, maybe a discouraged soul with a somber heart. One thing was for sure: the grinning songwriter was anything but defeated.

Matt meets a bullet

For the past few years, Matt, like many other artists in Nashville’s songwriting community, has been hard at work recording a full length album. Just after the new year, Matt’s excitement was beginning to build for the record, produced by Matt Odmark. Matt was mere hours away from it’s completion when he suddenly found himself in a fight for his own life.

It was January 20, 2017 and Matt had just left a cowrite session with Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer). High on life and parched for a brew, he summoned a few friends to meet at The Red Door Saloon, a popular perch in East Nashville. The group traded some laughs, hung out until the sun went down and then bid farewell. Matt hopped into his vehicle on Forrest Avenue and decided to pop off a text or two before heading home.

There was a knock on the driver’s side window. He expected to look up and see an old buddy from the songwriting community who had coincidently crossed his path, instead Matt found himself staring down the barrel of a handgun. The aggressive figure ordered Matt to step out of the vehicle. Lovell explains that the next 30 seconds still remain “a blur” to him. What is absolutely clear is that Matt would soon be clutching his chest and praying to survive a fierce encounter with a bullet at point blank range.

Reaching out for help

Matt recalls shrieking, “You SHOT me!” in disbelief as the gunman revved the engine and peeled away. In the chaos, Matt had left his phone in the car. Unable to contact anyone he knew, Matt stood solo under a TN sky bleeding out. He remembers feeling scared that he would have to face “leaving the world alone”. Limping back to The Red Door, Matt was met by Patrick Brown, an on-duty security guard who had just completed his EMT training earlier that day. Equipped with his medic bag from class, Patrick sprung into action.

The bullet had entered Matt’s chest, ricocheted off of his sternum, and nicked his lung. The doctors told Matt that the bullet had missed his heart and spine by inches. Matt remembers bouncing in and out of consciousness in the ambulance. The paramedics heard Matt asking if he was “going to make it”. But the team could only reply “We are going to try our best.” To monitor the victim the medics would continue to periodically ask Matt for his name. After offering his name a few times, Matt altered his response, “My name is Matt Lovell and I am going to live.”

Rebirth

Matt was rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital and taken straight to the operating table. Aside from the destructive path of the bullet, Matt was experiencing rapid internal bleeding in his liver. I imagine Matt was left wishing he could return to the everyday “struggles” of his budding career. Choosing the best cover photo for an EP no longer seemed like such an important issue. The all too familiar challenge of raising sufficient funds for a PR campaign must have seemed trivial. Now, there were larger matters at hand.

Matt would spend nearly 3 months in and out of the hospital with complications. But the encounter offered an invaluable rebirth for the crooner. Lovell tells Nashville Unsigned that the outpouring of love that he received from friends, family and the songwriting community has changed his life. Matt recounts that it was the overwhelming support that offered him a “cocoon” wherein he could “cultivate the healing” that he so desperately needed. (A worthy lyric, Mr. Lovell).

Today, Matt feels lighter. It is as if the experience ushered him through a portal whereas his understanding of “connection” has been redefined.

An artist rendition

One such connection came in the form of a local fine artist, Jodi Hays. Jodi, who resides on Forrest Avenue, heard the gunshot and Matt’s cries for help the night of the shooting. Fortunately, Mrs. Hays had recently installed a security camera on her porch. The camera captured the entire incident, with audio to boot. Jodi’s footage has aided authorities in the conviction of the armed burglar. The gunman was apprehended the night after Matt’s incident. As it turns out, the 16 year old criminal and his cousin were at it again just 24 hours later. The court case is still underway.

After Lovell’s release from the hospital, Matt and Jodi made quick friends. Jodi’s depiction of the footage will appear in a painting series on display November 11th – December 3rd. For more information on the show please visit The Red Arrow Gallery.

A songwriting community responds

If there is one thing to be said about Nashville’s songwriting community, it may be that there is steel in its fabric. Nowhere in the world do songwriters rely on constant collaboration like they do in Music City. The intimate nature of a co-write parlays nicely into relationships that often last a lifetime. Those relationships become especially vibrant when a lifetime is threatened.

Earlier this year, The Basement East held a concert organized by some of Matt’s closest comrades in the songwriting community. Like many in Nashville’s songwriting community, Matt was uninsured. Proceeds of the night helped to soften the blow of Matt’s medical bills. The benefit featured A-List acts such as The Brothers Osborne, Lucie Silvas, Trent Dabbs, Leigh Nash, Emily West, Fancy, and Kree Harrison, just to name a few.

I almost forgot. There was one other songwriter that made an appearance that evening: Mr. Matt Lovell. Standing on his own two feet, a walking miracle took to the stage to deliver his latest single “Nobody Cries Today”. Natalie Osborne, a member of Nashville’s songwriting community recollects,” It was incredible to see how quickly people were willing to offer their time. That’s what makes this city so exceptional.” She adds, “Not only did Matt make an appearance, but he sang his ASS off!” Matt’s first words to the supportive audience were, “I’m ALIVE!”

Strap on your seatbelt and witness the emotional delivery below.

A changed man

Matt tells us that his experience has moved him and that he longs to help others by “guiding their light”. He believes the events of that fateful night have “broken him open”, first physically, then emotionally, and finally, artistically. He speaks of a rush of peace that has visited him since exiting the hospital. Lovell says he is overcome with the “new growth” he has witnessed within.

Isaac Newton’s third law formally states, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I believe the same is true for Good vs. Evil. I’ll never understand the actions forced upon Matt Lovell on January 20th, but I recognize the reaction. A painter was moved to paint something beautiful. A young EMT student had the opportunity to save a life. A songwriting community was called to join together in the name of LOVE. And a songwriter is gifted with a second chance at life.

Positive vibes

This article won’t change the world. I don’t expect the Great American Positive Vibes revolution to spring from my choice of words. But maybe, just maybe, a handful of people will walk away paying just a little more attention to their blessings. Life is fragile and can be stolen from you at any moment. Matt is lucky to be alive and making music. And we are all fortunate to be alive with the opportunity to listen to Matt’s music. So, go ahead and enjoy it. 😉

Nobody cries today

Here is the first single from Matt’s new record, Nobody Cries Today”.
The track features popular singer/songwriter Ruby Amanfu.