User:Mattg67

MattG, born Matthew Albert Gonzales, is an audio/video production specialist who has produced Oscars partys at the Beverly Hills Hillton (2008 2009). He has also directed music videos for many different genres of talented artists including Premonition, Sharene Spielman, and Morgan Brown. Matthew is also the DoP of a new reality pilot called "Brewhouse" which is now being shopped for TV.

MattG Productions is a company owned and operated by Branislava Ristic-Gonzales. Matthew Gonzales is an independent contractor with MattG Productions

Matthew Gonzales

, N. Hollywood, CA Certified in 1998 as a Cinematographer , N. Hollywood, CA Certified in 1998 as an Audio Engineer

Matthew Gonzales, was born in Atwater, CA in 1967. With a father fighting in Vietnam and a mother and two older sisters trying to fill the void, Matthew remembers at an early age of five hearing his first inspirational song while living in Fort Hood, TX. "I dont remember quite what I was doing but I remember that train shuffle the drummer was playing. It was hot, man. Electrifying, you know? I ran down the stairs and just started air drumming." The song was "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash.

His desire to learn was not endorsed by his father or mother but Matthew was determined to play. At the age of twelve, Matthew began running away to pursue his music which ended him up on the streets of Hollywood in 1979. He learned to survive with an eclectic group of runaway youth from around the country known as The Family. The Family had all come to Hollywood to become famous actors and rock stars and took to each other for security, food and shelter.

In 1983, he joined his first real band and began playing for friends at back yard parties. Playing covers by Krokus, Quiet Riot and AC/DC, Matthew and his fellow band mates suffered a tragic loss which in turn put Matthew in a new role, lead singer.

"I was living in Canyon Country and attending Canyon High. Our singer was in the same group home as I and we were out playing a show at a buddies house. After our second set, Ralph, our singer, wanted some beer but the party was nearly dry. So Ralph jumped on his motorcycle and took off toward the store. Not more than two blocks is where we saw him. He died on impact."

The band, known as 2112 Live Wire, quickly retreated to their favorite hang, a camper shell, and began to talk about what they should do next. Krokus Screaming In The Night was on 95.5 KLOS at the time and MattG began to sing the lyrics. "The band really had no idea I could keep a tune and in key!" He exclaims. "It was like a light bulb went off in everyones head. Youre gonna sing! They shouted at me. Its really the wrong way to get the gig."

Eventually, Matthew, under the stage name of "Nikki D", "Nik Danger", "Nick Foxley" and "Nicholas Lee Foxley" found his way through many different bands on the LA scene and even played shows with the then unknown Warrant and Guns and Roses. With the LA scene turning trends in the 1990s and grunge turning on the masses, Matthew turned to radio. "I'd always been blessed with a great set of pipes and so without any prior training, I just went for it." Soon his radio show became a local success and he found his way from Oldies formats to Country and Western and eventually Rock.

But Matthew had his sights and talents set on music and film, only this time as a Producer/Director. Taking time after returning from tour in 1996, Matthew decided to go back to school and attended the Los Angeles Recording Workshop and was certified as a Sound Engineer. Without skipping a beat, he quickly enrolled into the newly formed Los Angeles Film School that same year pursuing his other passion, Cinematography. Soon Matthew was working with Henry Hen Gee Garcia, Ice T's Executive Producer and in 1998 helped to launch 25th Precinct Records with Ice T and Hen Gee.

Matthew quickly became known as a guy who gets things done, a rare breed in LA. Having developed his own talents now as a drummer, guitarist, bass player and singer, Matthew has Produced music for La Chicanita and Ike Turner among others. His contacts go even further as he has worked with Mila Kunis, Colby O'donis, Slash, and many more including large events and or concerts productions and development. "This is a company dedicated to building a creative awareness for all ethnicities and backgrounds. Matthew recently said in an interview with 92.5 FM "The Bear" radio station. "Something where all people can come together, much like The Family in Hollywood did many years ago."