Matt Stillwell (born in Sylva, North Carolina) is an American country music artist. In late 2008, he released his debut single, "Shine", which debuted at #59 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The single served as the title track to his third album released on September 30, 2008. Country singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Stillwell grew up in the Appalachian Mountains in the western part of North Carolina, which gave him a grounding in rural musical styles, although he listened to a wide range of pop music during his teens, from Garth Brooks to Guns N' Roses. He attended Western Carolina University, earning All-Southern Conference honors as a baseball player. Moving to Nashville to seek a career in music, he developed contacts with some of the city's best musicians, who later played on his debut album. He didn't wait to score a major label record contract, but instead toured the South with his guitar, gradually building up a following. He self-released Take It All In on his own Still 7 Records label on June 13, 2006. Two years later he released Shine. The album's title track was also the anthem for the two-day music festival Stillwell created, Shinefest. Planned as an annual event, the inaugural Shinefest 2008 was held in Fontana Dam, NC.