Long Island’s Country Artist Lisa Matassa-New Year, New Single
February 14, 2011
Long Island’s Country Artist Lisa Matassa-New Year, New Single
by Alysia Stern
Lisa Matassa is known as Long Island’s Country Artist. She inaugurated her professional musical career in the 1980’s with two hit freestyle songs. She was eminently known as Lysa Lynn, which was denominated with respect for Loretta Lynn. Although she was not signed as a country singer, that genre of music was in her heart and soul. It was this pop music experience that gave her a taste of stardom and helped retain her dreams of one day becoming a reputable country musician. When the record label folded, Lisa was still singing but her life took a different direction. She married her husband Frank and within years they had two beautiful children, Frankie and Alexa.
Lisa has always been inspired by country music’s greatest artist like Bonnie Raitt, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and especially Elvis. Although she took a small hiatus to raise her family, Lisa has never relinquished her enthusiasm for singing. Lisa has recorded voice overs and messages on hold for the Garden City Hotel. She has two studios in her home, and works vigorously with several talented musicians on a daily basis.
A few years back, when Frankie and Alexa were acquiring knowledge and exploring the use of their new computer, they decided to use a search engine and explore the internet to find their mother. Surprised that they had discovered Lisa, they excitedly ran to inform her that she had a video on You Tube. This is where the turning point in Lisa’s progress through life arose. They asked her why she had not persevered and followed through with her dream. Lisa realized at that moment, singing is like breathing. She was tired of saying “what if” and I decided to say “why not.” “God gives everyone a gift and we should share it with everyone.” She was determined to make a steady advancement and carry on with her ambitions but this time with the music that she loved. Today Lisa has coined the name to her music as Long Island Country.
In March 2011, my colleague Mick DuRussel had the honor of interviewing Lisa Matassa. In the past 11 months, Lisa has had some memorial moments. I was able to meet with Lisa to share these astoundingly victorious events:
With all due respect, I have attached Mick’s interview:
http://spotonli.com/2011/03/long-islands-own-country-star-lisa-matassa/
In the past year, Lisa has continued her leap of faith and shared her blessings with her family and all of her fans. Her EP “Me Time” was released March 31st, 2011. Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano awarded Matassa a citation as Long Island’s first country music recording artist and the pioneer of the Long Island Country genre. Lisa is a true inspiration, who believes in faith and humility. She states “your biggest failure is not trying.” In June, “Me Time” was disembarked at radio stations throughout the states and in November she began her radio tour across the country. Lisa lives in the moment, embracing every second of her life.
In September 2011, Lisa filmed the video to “Me Time” in Nashville. The video was recently released on CMT. http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/lisa_matassa/videos.jhtml. Lisa also performed at the Brookhaven Amphitheatre for Vets Rock, a tribute to our veterans. She played alongside of Eric Church, Thompson Square, The Jane Dear Girls, Southbound, Frankie Ballard and Eden’s Edge, just to name a few acts. It was one of Lisa’s most sensational and honorable moments.
Lisa performs acoustically or with her 7 piece band. She cherishes kindness and gratitude in her heart. Lisa states, “I love life. I am drinking it all in. I am enjoying every moment of it because you never know when it will end. Life is unpredictable. Your biggest failure is not trying.” Lisa went on a leap of faith in November and along with the Broadway Youth Ensemble; they recorded “The Christmas Song.” It has been playing on country radio since the week of Thanksgiving and reached the #1 status by Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPjeR4VbofM.
On December 21st, the LP “Sunrise Highway” was digitally released. It is an explosively emotional musical account about her journey of where she has been, and where she is now. The physical CD will be released on March 21st, 2012. Her I tunes link is: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lisa-matassa/id426981559
Lisa’s new single, “Wouldn’t You Like To Know” will be impacting radio stations on February 27th, 2012.
Lisa will be traveling back and forth to Nashville In February and March for Country Music Seminars and video filming. Her ability to travel often is derived from the huge support system Lisa has inherited. She has been sustained by her loving husband, adored by two devoted children, and supported by family and friends who all help foster her music career.
In addition to volunteering at her local church, Lisa finds time to volunteer and support the Last Hope Animal Shelter, along with two other non for profit organizations for cystic fibrosis and autism. Lisa is an aesthetically beautifully woman with heart of gold. She can be seen as a stimulus to creative thought or action to anyone desiring to fulfill a dream. You are never too young or too old to pursue anything if you have a sturdy support system and you believe in yourself. Lisa would love an opportunity to play at Nassau Coliseum, Jones Beach or Westbury Music Fair in the future. Her website is www.lisamatassa.com .
