Former Iowan eyes success with debut CD of Midwest Country music

But what does Midwest Country sound like?

If you ask Walker Mathison, middle-class country music revolves around themes that resonate with people in the heartland.

“We're not from Texas or Tennessee, and we're not part of the corporate music scene,” he explained. “Instead, Midwest Country is music for people who've traveled over dirt roads and don't mind living in overflights.”

Matheson must know. This is the kind of music he listened to as a child.

Also, “Midwest Country” is the name of the debut CD released by Mathison and Ranahan's band in 2022.

Formerly known as Matt Walker, he grew up in Sioux City and graduated from East High School in 2008.

Growing up in Morningside, Mathison admitted he wasn't always a fan of country music.

“As a kid, I was into skateboarding and punk music, if you can believe it,” he said with a laugh.

That was until Mathison became involved with East's show choir program, which was then under the direction of Heath Weber.

“Heath knew I wanted to pursue music after high school,” Matheson explained. “That's why he suggested I study musical theater in college and try to gain as much knowledge as possible in other types of music.”

He enrolled at the prestigious Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and earned a bachelor's degree as part of the college's musical theater program.

Leaving college, Matheson followed Weber's advice.

Working as an entertainer on cruise ships, he became a dancer as well as a singer.

“Dancing meant stepping completely out of my comfort zone,” Matheson noted with a sigh. “But working on cruise ships gave me valuable performance experience while allowing me to visit exciting locations. If I had to dance, I was willing to learn how to do it.”

Moving to Orlando, Florida, he became a performer at local theme parks such as Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Resort.

“When I first got to Orlando, a cappella singing was hot, and my first gig was in a barbershop quartet,” Mathison said. “It was just like Heath Weber told me years earlier. Learn as many genres of music as you can and you'll never be out of a job.”

In large part this is because show business is indeed a business.

“Being a struggling artist can seem romantic if you want to live in your car,” Mathison said. “If you want to have a wife and buy a house, you have to find ways to make money.”

Ambitious Mathison also wanted to be an entrepreneur. That's why he founded Broadway Beach Entertainment, which books artists on cruise ships, national tours and theme parks.

“After so many years as a performer, I decided to share all the lessons I've learned along the way,” he said.

This involved Mathison's repositioning as a singer-songwriter performing primarily as a country artist.

“Whenever you see interviews with (Grammy Award winner) Kasey Musgraves, she never identifies as a country singer because she's drawn into a certain genre,” he said. “Why do that when you don't have to?”

Describing himself as a country crossover performer, Mathison is as likely to perform a Johnny Cash cover as something from a country-pop-friendly Florida Georgia Line.

Still, he admits to having a country music aesthetic when it comes to headgear.

“I grew up in a time when guys like Travis Tritt and Kenney Chesney wore cowboy hats on stage,” Mathison said. “While I like the younger singers, a Dierks Bentley baseball cap will never replace my cowboy hat.”

Since starting Broadway Beach Entertainment more than five years ago, Mathison is now behind a desk more often than he is on the road.

“You know what? I'm fine with that,” he said. “Performing is and always will be a passion for me. I never wanted it to feel like work.”

As a young man, Mathison admitted he had stars in his eyes. Now, he's content to share his love of country music that has grown in the American Midwest.

“The people who live in the hearts represent the heart of America,” he said. “We love our country music like no one else.”