ALAMOSA — People who came of age in the United States in the 1960s were influenced by massive, concurrent societal forces not often seen in modern times. The war in Viet Nam, the civil rights movement, protests against reported corruption, civil disobedience – some violent - in cities and campuses across the country. It was a time of real uncertainty in uncharted territory.

But something made that experience more unique than those times of great change that came before and the times of change that have come since. And it all boiled down to one prevalent, time-tested thing.

Music.

Music was everywhere, songs that spoke to the times with lyrics of hope and joy, anger and frustration, the call for peace. Lyrics that unified and clarified and has still stayed with people even through all the decades that have passed since then.

Like then, today there are similar singer-songwriters with voices and lyrics that are made for our current times. And one of those extraordinary voices is coming to the Society Hall stage at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday night.

Her name is Crys Matthews, and her music is not to be missed.  

Matthews, a resident of Nashville, is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. She blends Country, Americana, Folk, Blues, and Bluegrass into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics.

A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls "the poster child for intersectionality," her musical gift has been described as “a reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides."

Without a doubt, Matthews has cred and the accolades to prove it. She’s performed at both the Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, been honored at the Sundance Film Festival and Kerrville and is hailed by the VP of one of the most powerful performance rights organizations in the industry. 

“By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice,” says Eric Philbrook, VP and Creative Director at ASCAP, “she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.”

In her TedTalk about difficult conversations called "Sing, Don't Shout — An Alternative Approach", Matthews spoke about being born and raised in a small town in southeastern North Carolina by an A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) preacher and how she witnessed the power of music from an early age. A former drum major and classically trained clarinetist turned folk singer, Matthews is using her voice to answer Dr. Martin Luther King's call to be "a drum major for justice."

“I believe in hope,” she says. “As a social-justice songwriter, it is my duty to keep breathing that hope and encouragement into the people who listen to my music.” Her latest hope-filled, love-filled social justice album Changemakers does all that while tackling some heavy topics like immigration, the opioid crisis, Black Lives Matter, and gun safety -- to name a few.

Quoting Ani DiFranco, Matthews says, “People used to make records as in a record of an event, so I hope that these songs will serve as a time capsule, a record of the events of the last four years and what it was like to live through them.”  

Matthews’ thoughtful, realistic, and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul. Her lyrics from “Forged in Fire” say it best.

Is there fire in your eyes?? Then we can melt that I.C.E. // If we stand and fight, we're gonna be alright.

Is there fire in your heart??  Then you can do your part// be a shot in the dark 'til that powder sparks.

 Is there fire in your mind? Then get on the front line// 'cause old thinking dies, it's just a matter of time.

Is there fire in your feet?? Then start marching to the beat. No backing down, no retreat 'til everybody gets free.

 When faith is hard to find, when hope is on the decline,// remember, hate gets tired. Keep that steel in your spine.

Don't miss the award-winning, social justice music of Crys Matthews, coming to Society Hall at 400 Ross Avenue in Alamosa on Thursday April 30th, 2026 at 7:30 PM.

Doors will open at 6:30. Tickets are $20.00 and are available online at www.societyhall.org, or in Alamosa at the Green Spot. The concert will also livestream on Facebook (although nothing beats being there live.)

Society Hall – Where Community Celebrates!