Bryan Copeland, Ruthie Craft, & Matteson Gregory (2024)

DOORS: 6:30 PM | SHOW: 7:30 PM | ALL AGES

Get ready to immerse yourself in the infectious energy and dreamy melodies of Bryan Copeland, Ruthie Craft, and Matteson Gregory! With their unique blend of catchy hooks, heartfelt lyrics, and irresistible rhythms, these indie pop sensations are set to light up the stage and steal your hearts.

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Bryan Copeland has been a fixture in the Springfield music scene since 2010. He started the popular local band Luna J. (Formerly Luna Jamboree) in 2008 and steadily grew that band to regional prominence. In the last five years he has grown his solo career as well, playing over 450 shows over that time. With his band, he produced and released three fulls albums, two EP’s, and five singles. As a solo act, he has written, produced and released nine singles, as well as one thirteen song live limited release. The band also spent two years producing Youtube content of their original and cover material that showcases their talents in the ways of pop, alternative, funk, and jam. Bryan has also been the lead singer of three popular tribute projects as well, including: Mother’s Milk “A Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Tribute”, Jason Isbell Tribute, and Continuum “A John Mayer Tribute”. He is known for his variety of covers as well as his original music.

On top of all of that, Bryan Copeland has appeared on local and regionally produced TV countless times (The Mystery Hour, Ozarks Live), has been on local and regional radio many times as well, and has opened for blues legend Robert Cray, National act Jake Wesley Rogers, and regional favorites The Ozark Mountain Daredevils. He was also contacted in 2020 by the talent agency that works for The Voice and he made it through all the preliminary rounds, only to be denied by the producers of the show on the verge of the blind auditions; and most recently turned down an offer to work with a Nashville based record label.

Bryan Copeland has always been supportive of his fellow local artists, and when he is not playing a gig, he is usually at show, supporting the scene. His band started a YouTube show called “Words and Whiskey” on their channel to spotlight local and regional artists. That landed the band a sponsorship with local whiskey crafters, Copper Run Distillery; and then after Copper Run went out of business due to the pandemic, he started with Ty Iechyd Da through Springfield Brewing Company; with Bryan doing the interviews and leading song collaborations with local artists. The show is on hiatus for now, but there are plans in the works for a restart. Bryan has started work on a full length, folk/country style album. Be on the lookout for new music throughout 2024!

As eleven-year-old Ruthie Craft struggled with her newly diagnosed Tourette’s syndrome, no one could have predicted that five years later, she’d be onstage belting a duet with an international superstar. A decade more of new challenges and heartbreak, and the powerhouse singer-songwriter would have giant stages, millions of streams, and her very own EP under her belt. “Tourette’s was my reason to sing,” said Ruthie. “When I sang, my tics went away. And I felt normal, for a moment.”

As a teen, the discovery of Adele’s first album, 19, hooked Ruthie Craft on music for good. She quickly began teaching herself the basics of singing and songwriting. “One morning I looked over at the lyrics I had written on the big whiteboard in my room, and I thought, ‘this is my purpose.’” But having no guidance on “how to do music,” she sang at open mics and talent shows, eventually winning a contest to sing with country star Keith Urban. With limited resources as a part-time barista, her onstage outfit was a combination of hand-me-downs and thrifted items.

At the tender age of 19, Ruthie’s whirlwind marriage led her from her home state of Washington to North Carolina, far away from her family and friends. As the marriage collapsed, she found comfort in music. Exploring new genres, namely rap and hip hop, she began to find her voice again. “The mixture of inspiring lyrics and bold productions made me feel alive.” Age 23, divorced and determined, Ruthie Craft made it to all three rounds of Hollywood Week on American Idol in 2019. “The insecurity I felt from watching a hundred talented singers perform their original songs pushed me to learn how to write my own. I witnessed the difference between singers, performers, and what it means to be both: an artist.” Since then, she has collaborated with producers and artists across the country, and has billed with the likes of Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Shakey Graves, Magic City Hippies, Die Spitz, and Raelyn Nelson.

A 2024 Sonic Guild grant recipient, Ruthie explains, “I want to make music that makes people feel alive, comforted, and helps connect them to their own joy and pain,” says Ruthie. Every performance is an opportunity to “let my emotional filters down, and invite the audience to do the same.” Her cinematic pop-soul features powerful vocals, moody, soulful tones and slick lyrics evocative of Imagine Dragons, early Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse, and Dua Lipa. Ruthie continues to hone her craft in Austin, TX. Her debut EP, Sound of Blue, is set to release in September 2024.

Growing up with instruments throughout the home, her dad playing in punk rock bands, and weekly family karaoke nights, Matteson Gregory has always been surrounded by music. As soon as she learned to play guitar, she began to create music for her poems to express herself. Matteson turned the stairwells and other acoustic spots in her home into concert halls, but soon that wasn't big enough. Since 2008, she has been performing at various venues; including restaurants and breweries throughout the Ozarks and Northwest Arkansas. As well as performing at the You Matter festival in 2019, and joining other artists on stage for writer's rounds and jam sessions.

Over the years, Matteson has also developed her craft as a songwriter by making trips to Nashville to both write and record her music. Her dreams as a singer-songwriter came true when she released her first single "Comfortable" in 2018. From there, Matteson Gregory has released 8 singles, 2 of which she produced herself, following consistent gigs at local venues such as SixTwelve Coffee House and Bar, Hold Fast brewing Co. and the annual Queen City Shout Music and Arts Festival.

Matteson has the ability to create a lyrical story that will linger in your head for days. By using catchy melodies and honest, heartfelt lyrics, she writes about hope and youth, joy and heartbreak. Matteson has become an advocate for the mental health community. Sharing her personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia, she hopes to be a voice for the unseen suffering around her, and to help people find strength to continue moving forward. Matteson Gregory has always said the purpose of sharing her music is simple: "The goal with my music is to help people feel less alone in this world." All her life she has done exactly that.