Matt Hammer Bio 2008

Matt Hammer has been entertaining Alaskans for over 30 years. While working for the A.W. Powell Agency out of Los Angels in 1976, Hammer was booked for three months to perform at the Anchorage Westward, now the Hilton. So began a lifetime love of Alaska. Having contracts to fulfill, Matt had to leave only to return six months later to make Alaska his home.

In 1979 Hammer wrote the music to and recorded “Free Alaska” for Governor Jay Hammond's Administration. Two thousand copies of the song were mailed to radio stations through out the lower 48 and the song became an anthem for Alaska’s struggle to stop the federal government from locking up 93 million acres of Alaska land. Matt’s first album, “The Front Page”, soon followed.

In the early ‘80’s Hammer performed through out the state with famed Alaska banjo player “Doc Schultz”. During this time Matt opened for many notable acts including Commander Cody, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Goodman, Hoyt Axton, Jerry Jeff Walker, Emmy Lou Harris to name a few.

From 1990 to 1995 Hammer produced and performed in “The Great Alaskan Opry”, starting first at the Captain Cook Hotel and then moving to the Eagan Convention Center.

In 1995 Hammer joined forces with friend Loren Arment to form “The Arment/Hammer Band” and 1998 brought the release of Hammer’s second album, “Alaskasongs”. The recording has sold thousands of copies and in still in demand today.

In 2005 “Doc Schultz” returned to Alaska and began performing with Matt and his wife Mz Lona, headlining at the Alaska State Fair in 2007.

Hammer’s third album was released to June 2008 and was recorded at Kirt Reimann’s Surreal Studios in Anchorage, Alaska. “Surreal Sessions” is a collection of storied songs of love… and love lost.

Matt has formed “The Matt Hammer Band” to perform the music from his latest album and his collection of favorite songs.

At this year’s Alaska State Fair (2008) Matt opened for “America’s Got Talent” winner Terry Fader in front of a crowd of 3,200 people.