12 year old guitarist to perform on backporch of the Farm this weekend!

Cultural Crossroads will host their second in a series of musical experiences at the Farm this Saturday in Minden. The Backporch Summer Music Series will feature the talents of 12 year old guitarist and vocalist, Matthew Davidson of Shreveport. The Farm, located at 417 East Union in Minden will open it's gates at 6:30pm with the show to begin at 7pm. Admission is $5. Patrons are invited to bring their ice chests and food. While chairs are provided, lawn chairs are also welcomed. "We are so excited to be able to bring Matthew to Minden,"states Leslie Coyle, chairman. "He'll play two sets from 7pm to 9pm." Matthew got his first toy guitar at the age of 3, and he hasn't stopped playing since! He started taking weekly lessons on an acoustic guitar in the second grade and won his first electric guitar in the 2007 James Burton Guitar Showdown. He was one of eight student guitarists selected to play with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Buddy Flett at their 2009 Artbreak Concert. Matthew placed in the Top 10 in KTAL's "Ark-La-Tex's Got Talent" contest, and he won their online voting contest. He won the Middle School Division of the 2010 Artbreak Talent Show and has been invited to perform at the 2010 Red River Revel.

Matthew's musical taste was largely acquired from listening to his dad's CD collection of music by The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doobie Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, and Chuck Berry.

Matthew's 3-piece band made their debut on June 25 at the Madison Park El Chico in Shreveport, LA. Matthew has recently played public performances with Robin & the Bluebirds at Mudbug Madness, the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest, the Sportspectrum 5K Firecracker Run, and area restaurants. He has also played at Artbreak, The Naked Bean, the Farmer's Market, Artspace, Christian Services Hospitality House, 516 Texas Street, Captain Shreve High School, Caddo Middle Magnet, South Highlands Elementary School, and at Ellerbe Road Baptist Church, where he plays weekly in the youth band.

Matthew's previous guitar instructors were Russell Newman and Brian Flanagan. His current teachers are Jerry Beach and Brad Kozak. He is currently enrolled in the Caddo Parish Talented Arts Program for Music.