DSO Tour Manager & Singer-Songwriter Matt Reynolds Dies Unexpectedly
I had no idea who Matt Reynolds was until the run-up to the Wanee Music Festival this year when I was preparing the preview. The tour manager for Dark Star Orchestra had a set scheduled for Wanee Wednesday at the iconic fest where DSO would later totally blow us away with a stunning rendition of the Dead’s Barton Hall 05/08/77 show.
At the time, we wrote:
Matt Reynolds is the tour manager for Dark Star Orchestra, the group headlining Thursday evening. At first listen, this set seemed a little out of place, very laid back. As it continued to build, the excellent music the band played well deserved this early afternoon slot. Reynolds sang and played acoustic guitar, backed by bass, drums, electric guitar and female vocalist who also played flute. After “Sweet Talking,” the set went to great blues, then “I’m a Hurricane” and great tunes straight up to the closer.
We were all saddened to learn of his passing last weekend. Dark Star Orchestra offered this:
The entire Dark Star Orchestra band, family and extended community are devastated by the loss of brother and friend Matt Reynolds. It’s with heavy hearts & regret that we share that our brother of the road, passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. We send our deepest and loving condolences to Matt’s mother, brother, and sister.
His loss leaves an immense gap in our hearts and souls. For the past 12 years, Matt was the Tour Mystic behind countless DSO tours, leading all from the helm of his trusty travel desk, being the behind-the-scenes beacon guiding us through success, tumult, and all points in between, usually with great humor, and always with gentle nature.
Matt’s role was not for the weary, and when he ever was, he was careful not to share. Our ship of fools sails now without captain, our guiding light extinguished, the weight of our loss an anchor to this darkness.
Dark Star Orchestra band and crew is eternally grateful for the fortune of time Matt bestowed upon us, we are beyond lucky to have shared the road with such a wonderfully quirky and enigmatic spirit, an absolute individual till the end. Matt leaves behind a body of work we are proud to have encountered musically and professionally, and our road will never be the same without him. Fare thee well, Matt, you know the rest.
We ask for the support and respect of our extended community in this time of healing and hope you can help us let the love not fade away.
We’ll take Matt’s music and melodies with us; feel free to share and do the same.
Fare thee well, indeed, Matt!
Feature photograph by Brian Hensley.