If I Were Mat Kearney

If it were possible to spend a day in the life of someone else, I would have quite the conversations with myself about who to choose. I would even have an extreme number of finalists and in that selection I would include singer and songwriter Mat Kearney. I have a recent obsession with Mat though I discovered his musical talents a number of years ago. His newest CD has been in my car on random for weeks. I listen to it at least twice a day; on my way to work, and on my way home from work. I have a windy commute through foliage filled narrow roads that are all too perfect as the sun rises in my rear view mirror. I'm only on the crammed highway for a short while, so most of the drive is in fact enjoyable. Listening to the distinct voice of Mat Kearney makes it that much more enjoyable, but the best part is listening to his lyrics. Everyday as I listen to his music, I untangle some of his words that I thought I knew, and figure out what he's really saying. 

If I could spend just a day of my life as Mat Kearney, I would feel inspired, I would feel strong love and I would overcome times of difficulty with a strong head on my shoulders. At least that is how he makes it sound through the speakers of my car. If I were Mat Kearney, I would pronounce my last name the way it is phonetically spelled, so that adoring fans (like me) would pronounce it the right way instead of always pronouncing a long "e" where it is neither long nor short, whether r-controlled or not. I would have a love and appreciation for the English language and the ability to make it's letters come together into sounds, phrases, and lyrics that give off such beauty, whether to my ears or to my mind as I envision what I'm writing and singing. If I were Mat Kearney I would use similes and metaphors astoundingly and inspire other writers. (“Heartbreak comes rollin’ in like a storm / sooner or later / trying to swim but you’re sinking like a stone, alone / and I can feel fire in the night waiting here / baby it’s like we’re walking on a wire through the fear”)

If I were Mat Kearney, I would be able to express feelings of true love and describe beauty of people and objects through beautiful writings and lyrics- things that I would not otherwise think were lovely or beautiful as anyone else. These lyrics could be painted on a life-size canvas with ever so much detail, with room for interpretation. (“If you find yourself lost out in this world / then I'll find a way to get back to your side / no mountain's too high, no stone is too small / I'll build a bridge through the fire / for you I would crawl from New York to California”)

If I were Mat Kearney, I would feel a strong connection to my fan base, enough so that I wouldn't mind sharing very personal moments of my own with them as complete strangers. I would trust. I would have faith. I would show loyalty to the ones I love no matter what happens in between. If I were Mat Kearney I would show hints of numerous emotions that most people feel at times through their lives, just through different circumstances and with different lasting impressions. I would express feelings of fear, gratitude, pain, uncertainty, fairness, strength, devotion, protection, loyalty, and above all, young love. If I were Mat Kearney I wouldn’t be afraid to love. I would have a sense of humor. I would know how to make my loved ones smile. I would feel close to my family, no matter the distances between. I would take chances.