There are various types of venues in the Chattanooga area where many singer-songwriters grace their stage (or corner) throughout the year, but there is one venue that has established itself as the ‘listening room’ for singer-songwriter artists and fans in Chattanooga. The Camp House in the Southside serves as a coffee shop, lunch spot, wedding venue and even a church. But when the sun goes down, some of the finest singer-songwriters take the stage at this small venue. On any given night, you can hear a pin drop as angelic voices and acoustic guitars produce sweet sounds for a crowd that is tentatively watching and passionately hanging onto every note. The Camp House doesn’t book a lot of touring acts each month, but when it does get someone to take a chance on the venue, they usually end up coming back as soon as they swing back through the area. And The Camp House seems to have good taste, as it normally brings in someone that is up-and-coming and deserves notice.
Matthew Mayfield fits this description perfectly, and he has performed at The Camp House numerous times. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Mayfield got his start as the lead singer for the band Moses Mayfield. Even though a label dispute broke up the band in 2008, that never stopped Mayfield from pushing forward himself. As a solo artist, he has become a machine for constantly producing great, new material, as he has released two full-length albums and eight EPs, the newest one being 2013’s Irons in the Fire. Mayfield has perfected mixing in songs with a full roots rock sound, but he really shines on his mellow songs that are stripped down and spotlight the soulful rasp of his vocals and the expertise of his songwriting ability.
Matthew Mayfield returns to The Camp House on Friday, March 14. If you are a Camp House alum, then you know this is a great show to check out. But if you have never experienced the magic of The Camp House, then Mayfield presents a perfect opportunity for you to see what all of the buzz is about.