Arizona country artist Matt Farris has built his career the old-fashioned way — one stage, one song and one crowd at a time.
Raised in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Farris grew up surrounded by Country Music and eventually turned that lifelong connection into a career that has taken him from local stages to performances alongside some of the biggest names in the genre.
Arizona Roots and a Life Built Around Country Music
For Matt Farris, Country Music started at home.
Growing up in Lake Havasu City, he was introduced to the genre at an early age through his family. Classic Country Music became part of the soundtrack of his childhood, and that influence eventually carried over into his own career as a performer and songwriter.
Before making Music his full-time pursuit, Farris attended Northern Arizona University and trained as an EMT and firefighter. But the pull of Country Music never really went away.
Over time, performing became more than a passion. It became the path.
Hundreds of Shows and National Stages
One of the defining parts of Farris’ career has been his relentless live schedule.
At different points in his career, he has performed close to 300 shows a year, developing a reputation as one of Arizona’s hardest-working country artists. That heavy touring schedule has put him on stages with a long list of nationally known performers.
Farris has shared bills or stages with artists including Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Jake Owen, Joe Diffie, Chris Janson, Brett Eldredge, Colt Ford, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lonestar and many others.
Those years on the road helped shape a performance style built around audience connection, traditional country influences and the kind of experience that can only come from playing night after night.
Charting Music and a Growing Catalog
Farris has also built a substantial catalog of original Music .
His self-titled 2013 album introduced a broader audience to his sound, followed by Keepin’ It Real in 2019. That project included collaborations with Trailer Choir, Carter’s Chord and fellow Arizona artist Josh Roy.
Over the course of his career, Farris has placed multiple songs on country radio charts, including seven songs on the Billboard Indicator chart and nine on independent country radio charts.
His song “Redneck Radio” became one of his notable early successes, reaching No. 56 on the Billboard Indicator chart, No. 38 on the MusicRow chart and No. 1 on the IndieWorld Country chart for four consecutive weeks.
More recent releases have included “One Night Stand,” “I’m the Man for the Job,” “Dirty Little Whisper,” “Get Go,” “Stay Right Here With You,” “Truck for Sale,” “Time to Shine” and “Start Again.”
Both “One Night Stand” and “Truck for Sale” have also reached the Top 20 on iTunes, further extending Farris’ track record as an independent artist capable of reaching audiences beyond his home state.
Recognition in 2026
Farris has remained active and relevant in 2026.
His song “Truck for Sale” earned a nomination for Song of the Year — Country Male, Division B at the 2026 Josie Music Awards.
That recognition adds another chapter to a career that has already included radio chart success, national touring experience and years of steady work in the independent country scene.
A Longtime Connection to Country Road Entertainment
Matt Farris is also no stranger to Country Road Entertainment .
In February 2021, Farris joined Inside Studio CRE for an in-depth conversation about his career, life on the road and the years he spent building his reputation as a working country musician.
The episode highlighted the demanding schedule that had become part of his identity, including periods when he was performing close to 300 shows a year and sharing stages with established artists across Country Music and Southern rock.
That history makes his addition to the CRE Independent Artists directory feel less like an introduction and more like a continuation of a relationship that goes back years.
Giving Back Beyond the Stage
Farris’ story also extends well beyond Music .
He created Denise’s Day, a charitable event inspired by a friend who lost her battle with breast cancer. Over the years, the event has raised significant funds while bringing together musicians, fans and members of the community in support of families and charitable causes.
That commitment to giving back has become an important part of the larger story surrounding his career.
Still Moving Forward
After years of performing, recording and touring, Matt Farris continues to do what built his career in the first place: work.
His story is not based on an overnight viral moment or a sudden break. It is built on years of shows, miles traveled, songs released and relationships formed along the way.
From Lake Havasu City to national stages, Farris represents a side of independent Country Music that is sometimes overlooked — the artists who keep showing up, keep writing and keep earning their audience one performance at a time.
For Country Road Entertainment , Matt Farris is not simply another independent artist worth watching. He is part of the Arizona Country Music story — and part of CRE’s own history as well.
