Matt Maloof

About Matt Maloof

Matt Maloof's songs bleed America with their yearning, open-hearted feel. 'The guy is on it' - Erie Times (May 1, 2008)
Matt Maloof's songs bleed America with their yearning, open-hearted feel.

Preview by Dave Richards
Staff writer

If his career goes through the roof, Matt Maloof can thank the songwriters who inspired him, including Johnny Cash, and a record-label owner with an "American Idol" connection.

In just two years, Maloof, 31, has made major inroads with his band, Matt Maloof and the Contraband, who play heartland music with an alt-country Americana vibe. The biggest step so far: Getting signed to Chenoa Records, a San Francisco-area label run by Joe Cannizzaro.
Cannizzaro has just 10 artists on his roster, including Nikki McKibbin, who placed third in the first "American Idol" season. He also released an "American Christmas" CD that features 20 "Idol" performers.

"Just through an acquaintance who knew him, I sent my stuff to him, and he just loved it," said Maloof, who lives in Warren.

Cannizzaro receives hundreds of CDs a year and has a million irons in the fire. But he signed Maloof right after hearing "Down the Road," Maloof's 2006 CD, which he reco