Matt Lomeo's upcoming Vernon show 'very much like the prodigal son returning home'

Mark Sisti
·3 min read

Central New York singer, songwriter and harmonica whiz Matt Lomeo is making his mark in the biggest of big cities, Los Angeles. While most newcomers to the City of Angeles struggle to find work, Matt has been playing constantly in a number of different bands, including hosting the Tuesday night jam at Ireland’s 32 Pub, one of the premier Americana hangouts in Southern California.

But he still managed to find time this summer to record his first CD, an all-original project called “When You Call," and that project is currently garnering four- and five-star reviews all over the world.

Now he’s bringing his talents back home to Central New York for a one-time show hosted by the Mohawk Valley Blues Society at Nothing Fancy Tavern in Vernon on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m.

Matt Lomeo
Matt Lomeo

When we say “When You Call" is receiving praise worldwide, that’s not an exaggeration. Check out these clips from just a few of his reviews:

  • “An alabaster soul singer with the attitude of a blues harmonica player; so we could define the young Matt Lomeo.”

  • "Recordings that check ALL the right boxes are a rarity. Matt Lomeo’s When You Call does just that.”

  • “Fine album, very varied and a nice introduction to Matt Lomeo.”

There are many more in the same vein, but you get the idea: Matt Lomeo is at the top of his game.

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“I like the reviews that emphasize my diversity as a songwriter and my strengths as a triple-threat between singing, playing, and writing,” says Lomeo. “One Italian reviewer stated that ‘there isn’t a song that doesn’t work’ on the record. What’s better than that?”

So with so much breaking for him in LA, why, you may ask, would he take the time out to do a one-off in cold, snowy Central New York?

“I’m excited to share the variety of music that I write and perform today with the area that reared me,” explains Lomeo. “I’m sure that I will see many friends that have supported me for countless gigs in the past.

“I feel very much like the prodigal son returning home.”

Matt Lomeo
Matt Lomeo

Joining Matt at the MVBS event will be an all-star band consisting of Morris Tarbell on guitar, and two upstate transplants to Nashville, Phil Leone on drums, and Max McKee on bass.

The show will largely feature cuts from “When You Call." Notes Lomeo, “Singing my own songs is my greatest motivation. I think I have one cover on this set list. I’m eager to share my development as a songwriter with the hometown crowd.”

Afterwards, he won’t have much time to relax at home. In addition to his busy gig schedule, he’s getting ready to start work on his second album, and his band will represent the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society in the International Blues Challenge to take place in Memphis in January.

Tickets for the Nothing Fancy show are $15 and are at available at Nothing Fancy, Big Apple Music, or online at simpletix.com/e/matt-lomeo-special-event-tickets-120084.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Matt Lomeo brings new songs home to Vernon show: What to know