Rob Thomas
Then there’s Thomas’ collaborations with iconic artists like Mick Jagger on the #1 single “Disease”, Willie Nelson, and Santana, the latter resulting in 1999’s “Smooth” — the Latin-tinged blockbuster that earned Thomas three Grammy Awards and spent 12 weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. It was also named the No. 2 Hot 100 Song of All Time and #1 of the Rock era. Overall, Thomas has contributed to sales of more than 80 million records. In 2004, he was the first-ever honoree of the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, created to recognize a composer in the early years of his or her career that has already made a lasting impact. He has won numerous BMI and ASCAP Awards, and has earned the Songwriter of the Year crown from both Billboard and BMI.
Thomas is also known as an electrifying live performer, drawing fans of all ages to Matchbox Twenty’s concerts as well as to his solo shows around the globe. “After 20 years, I still get excited when I go on the road,” he says. “The sound of the bus before it pulls out. The idea of waking up in a new city every day,not knowing what the day will bring. It’s the best part of what I do. Seeing new faces every night. Sharing the music. It’s what keeps me doing it. It’s the greatest job in the world.”