ABOUT: 37 months. That's all it took. Looking in retrospect at how long life is as a whole, three years and one month may seem rather insignificant; however, I learned more about life and love in those short months than in all my days combined. I discovered what it means to love someone with all your heart despite their flaws, to trust and be vulnerable, to put the needs of others ahead of your own, to laugh and make others laugh, to enjoy every second of life, and to look at the positive side of things. I discovered passion, hope, and the desire to be understood. I discovered the will to fight. I developed a completely new appreciation for honesty and respect. I learned what it means to be so devoted to someone that life without them feels like dying. I digested the fact that your efforts and attempts to make someone proud may never be received, regardless of how hard you try to show your appreciation and care for them. I learned the importance of faith and family, as well as the excruciating pain of heartbreak. I could never list all of the things I've learned from the past, but I am exceedingly grateful for those lessons (good and bad). Yet, there is one thing those 37 months did not teach me: how to let go. Hitting rock bottom can change a person. It can lead you to do things that you would normally never put yourself through. The process of recording this album came at a time planned by God alone. It is one of the hardest things I have ever taken on, and while it will never be perfect, it is very real. Music is therapeutic and communicates to me in a way that nothing else is capable of. I hope and pray that it may speak to you and provide you clarity, tranquility, and inspiration. I hope it will help you in your daily struggles. This album recounts the story of a relationship, beginning to end, and all of the moments, beautiful and harrowing, in between. These songs touch on the relatable subtleties of genuine, heartfelt emotion in life that we so often choose to ignore. Come With Me; you will not regret it. THANK YOUS: Frankly stated, this album, along with my supporting friends and family, saved my life. First and foremost, I'd like to thank God for blessing me with these talents and providing me the opportunity to make this dream a reality. I wish I could say I deserved it. May all the glory be to God alone. Next, I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for pushing me to try new things and pursue my passions. Thank you for believing in me, instilling strong faith and morals in my life and helping shape me into the person I am today. Adam, thank you for being an amazing brother and such an exemplary role model for me. You've taught me to be strong no matter what other people think of you or what adversity is thrown into your path. Great things are headed your way. A huge thank you each and every one of the teachers that have selflessly spent time helping me develop my skills when they could have been honing theirs. In specific, Tertia Cain: without you, I probably never would have sang in front of an audience and these songs would never be heard. You've helped me truly unveil my passion in this life. Nate Howe, your tips on songwriting are helping me improve every day. I would like to thank James and Letty Graff and the School for the Performing Arts for bringing an establishment to Fort Morgan that I never dreamed possible. Jake Bieber, your lessons have taught me so much and have really opened my eyes to creativity. I cannot thank you enough for your altruistic will to make this album happen, for allowing me to camp out in your garage and use your equipment for nearly 5 months, and for all your help in mixing and overseeing the production of this project. I could not do it without you. Michael McClary and your percussion awesomeness: Thank you so much for being willing to take on the challenge of learning these songs. You are so extremely talented; you feel the music and you learn and adapt professionally. More than that, you have been an amazing friend and I appreciate you. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to. Kenny Thompson: Thank you for your creativity and for adding your amazing vocal timbre to these songs. It really helps bring them to life. Never stop singing. Maggie Christensen: thank you for your photography and graphic design skills. You've expertly captured what I can only visualize in my head and beyond. “You”: Not only are you the inspiration for the majority of these songs, you were my best friend and my support those 37 months. Thank you for believing in me and being such a blessing in my life. I've learned so much with you and I would never take it back. Never give up on yourself or allow anyone to treat you with less respect than you deserve. Lastly, I'd like to thank my friends and fans for their loyalty and for believing in me. We'll see where music takes us! I will not forget where I came from. Your support means the world to me! THANK YOU, and enjoy the album! BIO: Matthew Hofman is an independent musician, songwriter, and actor from Fort Morgan, Colorado. He will be an incoming freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in the Fall of 2014. Matthew's goal in music is to compose songs that are honest, sincere, emotion-filled, and relatable. He believes that music is therapeutic and communicates on a personal level that cannot be measured or described. Matthew plays a smattering of instruments including piano, trumpet, guitar, and bass. Matthew has received 5 years of classical vocal instruction from Tertia Cain at the School for the Performing Arts. In addition, Matthew has taken courses in Audio Engineering and Music Theory. Matthew has extensive experience in acting and the performing arts, thanks to Morgan Larsen, director of the Fort Morgan High School Drama Department. Matthew played Lead Guitar in both Little Shop of Horrors and The Wedding Singer. Matthew played the role of Prince Christopher in Cinderella, Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, Shrek in Shrek The Musical (his personal favorite), Lon Daggett in Strange Boarders, Chris Keller in All My Sons, and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey. Matthew also played the role of King Balthazar in the opera Amahl and The Night Visitors through The School for the Performing Arts. Matthew has performed in a variety of community performances, and Solo and Ensemble competitions. Matthew was a member of All-State Choir both his junior and senior years of high school. He recently competed in the Colorado and Wyoming National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition and placed amongst the finalists in both the musical theatre and classical vocal performance categories. Matthew composed his first song in first grade, but started writing music seriously in the eighth grade. At the early age of 19, Matthew released his first album, Come With Me, before graduating high school, one of the goals on his bucket list. The all-original 15 song album, nearly a 5-month project, was recorded and produced by Matthew Hofman, assisted by Jake Bieber. Disregarding percussion, Matthew wrote parts for and played all of the instruments on the album, as well as sang lead vocals and harmonies, assisted by Kenny Thompson.