Local Musical Talent - Matt Palka

Typically, my subject matter is a bit on the serious side, but today I'm departing from that . I woke up this morning and read Shout Youngstown and learned that Matt Palka has entered a contest where the prize is a recording contract and $25,000. Several weeks ago I went to the Mahoning Commons Holiday Open Studio and Sale and as I wandered down the halls of the Ward Bakery Building I heard guitar and singing, I felt compelled to follow it to its source. I didn't recognize the young man playing guitar and singing, but I couldn't walk away. While I stood there listening, I noticed a stack of books on a table. Being a bibliophile, I had to check them out. The title of the book was " A Moment in the Sun". It is the story of a young man whose parents started pressuring him to work in the family fudge store after he graduated from college. The main character Riley Holiday decided he wanted no part of this, bought a bicycle, and took off on a solo cross-country trip from Ohio to California. He lived on $600.00 and a guitar, slept in homeless shelters, parks and anywhere he could find to pitch his tent. As I stood there reading, I noticed that the book came with a CD. A young woman behind the table recognizing a potential sale when she saw one, informed me that the author of the book and the musician playing were one and the same. I of course said I would buy one if I could have it signed. When Matt completed the song he was performing he came over to where I was and he explained that he has been doing a cross country tour in a VW bus. I looked at the photo of the VW and asked him if the prior owner had also given him the book "How to Keep your Volkswagon Alive". Turns out that he did. I only know of this book as long ago we had one of those VW buses, and thank God we also had a copy of that book, albiet a far older printing than what is currently available. I write of all of this to encourage you to vote for Matt's video by going to Star 98. 7. Let's support our local musicians and artists! they are some of the best. Thanks.