Matthew Tan is a Singaporean musician and bandleader. He has led Matthew and the Mandarins in its various forms since the 1960s. He is also the co-composer of the hit songs "Singapore Cowboy" and "Let's Put The Sing In Singapore".
Background Tan leads the band Matthew and the Mandarins,Urbanwire.com, Tue, 22 Nov 2011 - MeRadio Rocks the Marina! – Not too young, not too old - Justine Koh formed in 1961.
Tan was the first Asian to ever perform at the Grand Ole Opry.Today, 18 January 2013 - "Celebrating Matthew Tan and Singapore Country", by Christopher Toh
Career
1960s to 1970s By the mid-1960s his band was playing in hotels.Mothership.sg, December 22, 2014 - "8 Pop acts you boogied to if you were alive in the 60s", by Joshua Lee
In 1975, Tan flew to Nashville, Tennessee, United States, where the country and western action was. There, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry and did a duet with Skeeter Davis. He spent 18 months there before returning to Singapore.United Press International, March 10, 1989 - "'Singapore Cowboy' brings country to Asia", by Ruth Youngblood
By the 1970s his group had achieved a large following. Following their signing to EMI Singapore in 1978, his band performed in Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and the United States.The Straits Times, Nov 15, 2014 - Singapore Cowboy Matthew Tan riding high - Phoebe Low
Along with Bristow Hopper, he co-wrote "Singapore Cowboy".Discogs - Matthew & The Mandarins – Matthew And The Mandarins The song became a number 1 hit in Singapore.Bandwagon - Matthew & The Mandarins, Biography It was featured on the Matthew And The Mandarins 1978 album. With Hopper, he also co-wrote "Let's Put The Sing In Singapore". This song was included on the Matthew and the Mandarins II album, released in 1979.Discogs - Matthew* & The Mandarins – II
Later years Tan became the subject of a 2012 documentary titled Singapore Country. The filmmaker, Wee Li Lin, paid tribute to "Singapore Cowboy" as well as Tan.The Straits Times, November 15, 2014 - "Singer Matthew Tan will receive a lifetime achievement award for the 1978 country hit song" - Phoebe LowSouth East Asia + Indie Films (SINDIE) Saturday, May 12, 2012 - Singapore Cowboy... more than just a pipe dream
On November 8, 2013, Tan was the musical director of a concert which featured Jimmy Chan, Gina Vadham, Henry Suriya, Hillary Francis, Mel and Joe, and Frank and Robyn. His band, The Mandarins was also the house band for the event.Today, 05 November, 2013 - "Blast from the past from S’pore veteran musicians", by Christopher Toh
In 2014, Tan played at the Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival. He was one of two artists to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, the Asia-Pacific Lifetime Achievement Award.Canberra Country Blues & Roots Festival - NEWS 2014, 2. Lifetime Achievement AwardsThe Straits Times, Nov 15, 2014 - "Singapore Cowboy Matthew Tan riding high" - Phoebe Low
References