Matchbox Twenty - Albuquerque NM

One readily assumes that with a name like Matchbox Twenty, the respective musical act would end up as a one-hit-wonder, going out with a flash in a pan rather than a bang. However, the soulful fire has only risen higher since the mid-nineties instead of dying down. The Matchbox 20 Albuquerque event will be an essential celebration of their fiery tunes.
 
Being founded in 1995, Matchbox initially aspired to step into the big leagues of rock and grunge music and ambitiously wanted to fill the void created by Nirvana that came to a grinding halt following the tragic death of frontman Kurt Cobain. However, as lead guitarist Kyle Cook, drummer Paul Doucette, bassist Brian Yale, rhythm guitarist Adam Gaynor and lead vocalist Rob Thomas would soon find out, they were headed towards a more tuneful reign at the top.
 
Matchbox Twenty’s debut album Yourself or Someone Like You released in 1996 by Atlantic Records peaked at the 5^th spot on Billboard 200. However, the tinder for their flames of fame was provided by the overwhelming success of Thomas’ collaboration with guitar maestro Carlos Santa.
 
“Smooth” would prove to be a melodic masterpiece and besides topping charts all over, nabbed the big three Grammys for 1999, namely, “Record and Song of the Year” and “Pop Collaboration with Vocals.” Its success also set the stage for the remaining records of the band to all go top-ten, with 2012’s North bursting forth as a veritable chart-topper. So get your lighters up and latch onto some Matchbox 20 Albuquerque tickets for being rhythmically roasted.