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MATT KELLY

Matt Kelly is a pedal steel guitarist
multi-instrumentalist,
and producer.

Over the last 15+ years touring with and accompanying various artists, and recording on hundreds of albums, Matt has become one of Canada's most in demand session players.

Often associated with a long-time collaborator City and Colour, who he's toured and recorded with since 2013.

Matt is a versatile multi-instrumentalist. Often known for his work on pedal steel, he also plays piano, hammond organ, guitars of all varieties, dobro, banjo, etc.

Some recent album credits:

Georgia Harmer

Eye of the Storm

pedal steel, pianet, organ

Alexisonfire

Otherness

pedal steel, slide guitar, synth, keyboards

bob sumner.jpg

Bob Sumner

Some Place To Rest Easy

pedal steel

Field Guide

Field Guide

pedal steel

City and Colour

The Love Still Held Me Near

guitars, wurlitzer, organ, juno, harmony vocals

Wyatt C Louis

Chandler

pedal steel, dobro

P!nk_-_Love_Me_Anyway.png

Pink ft. Chris Stapleton

Love Me Anyway

pedal steel

Altameda

Crazy Blue

pedal steel, piano

Elliot C Way

All I Know

pedal steel, piano, hammond organ

City and Colour

A Pill For Loneliness

pedal steel, keys, harmony vocals

John Baker

Wreck In Progress

pedal steel

City and Colour

If I Should Go Before You

pedal steel, keys, trumpet

Production Credits

JOHNNY 99

"Mr Lonely"

(2025)

• PRODUCER

• Pedal Steel

• Piano

CITY AND COLOUR

"The Love Still Held Me Near" (2025)

• CO-PRODUCER

• Pedal Steel

• Guitars

• Keys

Matt has performed or recorded with a long list of artists including:

Alan Doyle

Alexisonfire

Altameda

Ben Rogers

Bob Sumner

Braden Lam

City and Colour

Cory Tetford

Declan O'Donovan

Deep Dark Woods

Elliot C Way

Emma Worley

Evan Redsky

Field Guide

Georgia Harmer

The Grapes of Wrath

Hayden Desser

John Baker

Johnny 99

Joshua Hyslop

Leeroy Stagger

Luca Fogale

Matt Berninger

Ora Cogan

Parker Graye

Phenix Warren

Pink

Raelynn

Rich Hope

Sadie Campbell

Sarah Jane Scouten

Spencer Burton

Tauro

The Real McKenzies

Three Days Grace

Vanessa Dee and the Brightsides

Vincent Neil Emerson

The Wild North

Wyatt C Louis

You+Me

Yukon Blonde

Zachary Lucky

and many others

Lessons

Follow on Instagram and YouTube for a long list of tabbed out

solos, phrases, and ideas.

For the corresponding PDF tabs, follow the link below

Contact

GIGS / RECORDING / TOURING / LESSONS

Available for remote overdubs.

If you'd like me to be a part of your project, get in touch.

Great whirlwind 3 days in Vancouver making a record with @stephc.of.grindrod #jakevergburg #jamesmeger @leoneelipower @johnraham @afterlife_studios_

Great whirlwind 3 days in Vancouver making a record with @stephc.of.grindrod #jakevergburg #jamesmeger @leoneelipower @johnraham @afterlife_studios_

A creatively rejuvenating tour! Always a special joy to play with my love @gharmz, road tripping around wherever. We spent a week of shows in the Pacific Northwest, cruised through the Rockies, and finished up with a few great shows in Alberta. All in support of the mighty @thebarrbrothers, who blew our minds every night, and are the sweetest people you could ask to be on tour with. The creative force is STRONG with this band and crew. So fun (and a true honour) to get to sit in and play with them every night. Exciting to try to fill the very big shoes of @brett_lanier_. Sad it's over (for now)!

A creatively rejuvenating tour! Always a special joy to play with my love @gharmz, road tripping around wherever. We spent a week of shows in the Pacific Northwest, cruised through the Rockies, and finished up with a few great shows in Alberta. All in support of the mighty @thebarrbrothers, who blew our minds every night, and are the sweetest people you could ask to be on tour with. The creative force is STRONG with this band and crew. So fun (and a true honour) to get to sit in and play with them every night. Exciting to try to fill the very big shoes of @brett_lanier_. Sad it's over (for now)!

A few weeks ago I posted about having some time in the calendar, and the inbox filled right up! In these first 20 days of March, I've recorded pedal steel on 25 songs for 5 different artists. 🤯🤯🤯

Tomorrow I'm off to Portland to meet @gharmz to do a tour throughout the PNW/BC/AB opening for the mighty @thebarrbrothers, then off to play on back to back records in LA and Vancouver.

So grateful for the support and trust of so many great artists.
Always excited to play on people's records. Thanks for filling my cup (and my calendar!) Keep it coming!

A few weeks ago I posted about having some time in the calendar, and the inbox filled right up! In these first 20 days of March, I've recorded pedal steel on 25 songs for 5 different artists. 🤯🤯🤯

Tomorrow I'm off to Portland to meet @gharmz to do a tour throughout the PNW/BC/AB opening for the mighty @thebarrbrothers, then off to play on back to back records in LA and Vancouver.

So grateful for the support and trust of so many great artists.
Always excited to play on people's records. Thanks for filling my cup (and my calendar!) Keep it coming!

I've got a fairly open calendar this year if you need steel / guitars / keys on your project (or gig, festival run, tour...)
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My usual projects that keep me busy are having quiet touring years and I'd love to be playing more! At the moment I'm wide open for gigs/touring as of about late May onwards, with plenty of gaps for studio work / and always time for remote overdubs.
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Shoot me a message on here or email at mattkelly250@gmail.com 🤠

I've got a fairly open calendar this year if you need steel / guitars / keys on your project (or gig, festival run, tour...)
.
My usual projects that keep me busy are having quiet touring years and I'd love to be playing more! At the moment I'm wide open for gigs/touring as of about late May onwards, with plenty of gaps for studio work / and always time for remote overdubs.
.
Shoot me a message on here or email at mattkelly250@gmail.com 🤠

Thanks to @bringerofcuts for the nudge to do this one! I love this tune - an @elliotcway classic.
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We recorded this in Vancouver at @smoothoperatorstudios with all my best pals. The ending resolves with the string 9 lower on RKR - I find that new steelers often overlook this change, (or string 9 in general) so hopefully this sparks something for someone!
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Tabs available at bit.ly/pedalsteel-tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic #johnny99 #leonpower #erikphnielsen #vancouver #americana #ncc #northcountrycollective

Thanks to @bringerofcuts for the nudge to do this one! I love this tune - an @elliotcway classic.
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We recorded this in Vancouver at @smoothoperatorstudios with all my best pals. The ending resolves with the string 9 lower on RKR - I find that new steelers often overlook this change, (or string 9 in general) so hopefully this sparks something for someone!
.
Tabs available at bit.ly/pedalsteel-tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic #johnny99 #leonpower #erikphnielsen #vancouver #americana #ncc #northcountrycollective

Playing this one tonight at @hippiehonkytonk so I figured I'd tab it out while it's on my mind.
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Tabs available in PDF at bit.ly/pedalsteel_tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #leannrimes

Playing this one tonight at @hippiehonkytonk so I figured I'd tab it out while it's on my mind.
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Tabs available in PDF at bit.ly/pedalsteel_tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #leannrimes

Belated 2025 recap
I got to collaborate on so much great music that came out last year. Here are a few of my favourites! Thankful to have been trusted with so many great albums & songs ❤️

Excited for more collaboration in 2026! Pedal steel forever 🤠

Belated 2025 recap
I got to collaborate on so much great music that came out last year. Here are a few of my favourites! Thankful to have been trusted with so many great albums & songs ❤️

Excited for more collaboration in 2026! Pedal steel forever 🤠

One of my favourite tunes on Johnny's record. Here's the solo. Tabs available in PDF form at mattkellymusic.com/#tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #johnny99 #mattkellypedalsteel #classiccountry #shobud #shobudldg #lloydgreen #shobudpedalsteel

One of my favourite tunes on Johnny's record. Here's the solo. Tabs available in PDF form at mattkellymusic.com/#tabs
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#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #johnny99 #mattkellypedalsteel #classiccountry #shobud #shobudldg #lloydgreen #shobudpedalsteel

🎵Rehearsal clip, warming up for Johnny's album release show this past weekend. Solo from "Hold Me Close"
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#johnny99 #pedalsteel #mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #classiccountry #showprosteelguitars

🎵Rehearsal clip, warming up for Johnny's album release show this past weekend. Solo from "Hold Me Close"
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#johnny99 #pedalsteel #mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #classiccountry #showprosteelguitars

Rehearsing with the band for the Mr Lonely release show
@_johnny_99_ @e.l.browning @bravakilo @gharmz @jillylisa @kendelcarson @monarchtavern @benjaminvallee @rebekahhawker #johnny99 #mrlonely #pedalsteel

Rehearsing with the band for the Mr Lonely release show
@_johnny_99_ @e.l.browning @bravakilo @gharmz @jillylisa @kendelcarson @monarchtavern @benjaminvallee @rebekahhawker #johnny99 #mrlonely #pedalsteel

Warming up for Johnny's release show tomorrow night!
@_johnny_99_ @gharmz @jillylisa @mattkelly250 @e.l.browning @bravakilo @rebekahhawker @benjaminvallee #country #pedalsteel #telecaster #bbender #bbendertelecaster #johnny99 #twosteptoforget

Warming up for Johnny's release show tomorrow night!
@_johnny_99_ @gharmz @jillylisa @mattkelly250 @e.l.browning @bravakilo @rebekahhawker @benjaminvallee #country #pedalsteel #telecaster #bbender #bbendertelecaster #johnny99 #twosteptoforget

So incredibly proud to see @gharmz bring her album into the world this week. It takes an incredible amount of effort, energy, joy, and frustration to see a project like this through, and I've witnessed Georgia working tirelessly on this for the entire time we've known each other.

It's so exciting to see her beautiful songs be released out into the ether where they belong.

I got to add a handful of overdubs just at the very tail end of the two-year-ish recording process, and I'm so grateful that I did. To be able to lend a few brush strokes on top of an already stunning canvas was such a treat, and truly an honour. The whole crew of musicians who contributed to this album are some of the most talented that I've come across, and I feel very spoiled to get to add some small contributions of my own to this beautiful album.

Georgia has remarkable attention to detail, and seemingly endless bandwidth for diving into the minutiae. All the tiny imperceptible details that are maybe not noticed while taking in the songs or the record as a whole (but are most definitely felt), nothing was an accident. Her fingerprints are on every single decision in every single corner of this album. Her musical brain inspires me to be better and more creative every day.

🧡

Go listen to this album :)

So incredibly proud to see @gharmz bring her album into the world this week. It takes an incredible amount of effort, energy, joy, and frustration to see a project like this through, and I've witnessed Georgia working tirelessly on this for the entire time we've known each other.

It's so exciting to see her beautiful songs be released out into the ether where they belong.

I got to add a handful of overdubs just at the very tail end of the two-year-ish recording process, and I'm so grateful that I did. To be able to lend a few brush strokes on top of an already stunning canvas was such a treat, and truly an honour. The whole crew of musicians who contributed to this album are some of the most talented that I've come across, and I feel very spoiled to get to add some small contributions of my own to this beautiful album.

Georgia has remarkable attention to detail, and seemingly endless bandwidth for diving into the minutiae. All the tiny imperceptible details that are maybe not noticed while taking in the songs or the record as a whole (but are most definitely felt), nothing was an accident. Her fingerprints are on every single decision in every single corner of this album. Her musical brain inspires me to be better and more creative every day.

🧡

Go listen to this album :)

Gear post for the nerds. Playing with Dal today for the 20th anniversary of his album Sometimes.
1. 1961 Martin 0-18T tenor guitar (k&k pure mini)
2. 1970 Martin D28 (also with a k&k pure mini)
3. Both acoustics go through the tuner and then split off with the @radialeng AB/Y to the DI's
4. Tenor goes through the @sonicfarmaudio tube DI, D-28 goes through the @rupert_neve DI, @amp.rx BrownBox for the Milkman amp
5. @mullenguitars G2. Trusty road steel. I hardly ever have to adjust the changer
6. Steel pedalboard. Only using the @petersonstrobetuners tuner, @empress_effects echo system, and the @strymonengineering flint. The Walrus amp sim, and EQ pedal are on there as sort of "just in case" pedals. @earthquakerdev Hoof for special occasions 😉
7. The @milkmansound 85w pedal steel amp. I love this thing. Clean, tight, creamy (no pun intended), great reverb.
8. The view! Should be a good night. @budweiserstage sold out!
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@cityandcolour_official

Gear post for the nerds. Playing with Dal today for the 20th anniversary of his album Sometimes.
1. 1961 Martin 0-18T tenor guitar (k&k pure mini)
2. 1970 Martin D28 (also with a k&k pure mini)
3. Both acoustics go through the tuner and then split off with the @radialeng AB/Y to the DI's
4. Tenor goes through the @sonicfarmaudio tube DI, D-28 goes through the @rupert_neve DI, @amp.rx BrownBox for the Milkman amp
5. @mullenguitars G2. Trusty road steel. I hardly ever have to adjust the changer
6. Steel pedalboard. Only using the @petersonstrobetuners tuner, @empress_effects echo system, and the @strymonengineering flint. The Walrus amp sim, and EQ pedal are on there as sort of "just in case" pedals. @earthquakerdev Hoof for special occasions 😉
7. The @milkmansound 85w pedal steel amp. I love this thing. Clean, tight, creamy (no pun intended), great reverb.
8. The view! Should be a good night. @budweiserstage sold out!
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@cityandcolour_official

Still a bit mindblowing that we got to play at Royal Albert Hall. Thanks @cityandcolour_official 🧡
B&W photos by @vanessaheins

Still a bit mindblowing that we got to play at Royal Albert Hall. Thanks @cityandcolour_official 🧡
B&W photos by @vanessaheins

Recording with @tashsultanaofficial @cityandcolour_official in January. "Ain't it Kinda Funny" is out now 🧡

Recording with @tashsultanaofficial @cityandcolour_official in January. "Ain't it Kinda Funny" is out now 🧡

Great few days at @poolhallnielsen's studio with @_johnny_99_ producing, @poolhallnielsen turning knobs and playing bass, @leoneelipower on the tubs, and me on just about on everything else
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#mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #johnny99 #erikphnielsen #leonpower

Great few days at @poolhallnielsen's studio with @_johnny_99_ producing, @poolhallnielsen turning knobs and playing bass, @leoneelipower on the tubs, and me on just about on everything else
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#mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #countrymusic #johnny99 #erikphnielsen #leonpower

Pedal steel lesson with tabs for Johnny 99's new single Just Like You. Check out the full version (with Johnny's guitar solo as well) on YouTube. Link to PDF tabs in my bio. #pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic #honkytonk #honkytonkmusic #johnny99

Pedal steel lesson with tabs for Johnny 99's new single Just Like You. Check out the full version (with Johnny's guitar solo as well) on YouTube. Link to PDF tabs in my bio. #pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic #honkytonk #honkytonkmusic #johnny99

Great hang at @marinpatenaude's with my new pals @drasssounds_ and @benjaminvallee to wrap up the @cryintimesteelguitarconvention. I think we all managed to steal some of each others' tricks, and meanwhile probably made Marin go permanently cross eyed listening to us talk about knee levers and copedents and other exciting topics. Nerds unite!

Great hang at @marinpatenaude's with my new pals @drasssounds_ and @benjaminvallee to wrap up the @cryintimesteelguitarconvention. I think we all managed to steal some of each others' tricks, and meanwhile probably made Marin go permanently cross eyed listening to us talk about knee levers and copedents and other exciting topics. Nerds unite!

Got some film back from January in Australia with @cityandcolour_official

Got some film back from January in Australia with @cityandcolour_official

I'll be playing this tune with @elliotcway this weekend at @cryintimesteelguitarconvention
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#mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteel #pedalsteelguitar #emmons #emmonspedalsteel

I'll be playing this tune with @elliotcway this weekend at @cryintimesteelguitarconvention
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#mattkellypedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteel #pedalsteelguitar #emmons #emmonspedalsteel

Getting excited for the @cryintimesteelguitarconvention #jukeboxcharlie #johnnypaycheck

Getting excited for the @cryintimesteelguitarconvention #jukeboxcharlie #johnnypaycheck

@cryintimesteelguitarconvention @chayaharveymusic @elliotcway @tryalittletender_ness @marinpatenaude @benarsenaultmusic @scottysteelsmith @bohobunnie

TICKET LINK IN BIO

#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic

@cryintimesteelguitarconvention @chayaharveymusic @elliotcway @tryalittletender_ness @marinpatenaude @benarsenaultmusic @scottysteelsmith @bohobunnie

TICKET LINK IN BIO

#pedalsteel #steelguitar #pedalsteelguitar #mattkellypedalsteel #countrymusic

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the opera house with the fellas. Absolutely mindblowing to get to see these two at such a special venue. Even managed to fit in a quick one at @shadypinessaloon. 10/10 way to wrap up the trip ☺️

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings at the opera house with the fellas. Absolutely mindblowing to get to see these two at such a special venue. Even managed to fit in a quick one at @shadypinessaloon. 10/10 way to wrap up the trip ☺️

Johnny 99 - It Can't Be Christmas
★ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʀꜱᴇꜱʜᴏᴇ ᴛᴀᴠᴇʀɴ ★
...
@_johnny_99_
@kendelcarson fiddle
@benwhiteley bass
@gharmz acoustic
@mattkelly250 dobro
Don Kerr drums
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#horseshoetavern #johnny99 #christmas #countrymusic #honkytonk #torontomusic #mattkellypedalsteel #kendelcarson #georgiaharmer

Johnny 99 - It Can't Be Christmas
★ ʟɪᴠᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʀꜱᴇꜱʜᴏᴇ ᴛᴀᴠᴇʀɴ ★
...
@_johnny_99_
@kendelcarson fiddle
@benwhiteley bass
@gharmz acoustic
@mattkelly250 dobro
Don Kerr drums
...
#horseshoetavern #johnny99 #christmas #countrymusic #honkytonk #torontomusic #mattkellypedalsteel #kendelcarson #georgiaharmer

Tour rolls on. @cityandcolour_official
📷: @vanessaheins

Tour rolls on. @cityandcolour_official
📷: @vanessaheins

Throwback to pandemic era noodling on Ashokan Farewell. Written by Jay Ungar in 1982. Such a beautiful tune. @jayandmolly @jay.ungar #ashokanfarewell

Throwback to pandemic era noodling on Ashokan Farewell. Written by Jay Ungar in 1982. Such a beautiful tune. @jayandmolly @jay.ungar #ashokanfarewell

A great solo trade-off moment from @rodneyjcrowell's Diamonds & Dirt album. @_johnny_99_ and I both love this album. Fun to tackle this one together.
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Pedal Steel tabs available at bit.ly/pedalsteel-tabs

A great solo trade-off moment from @rodneyjcrowell's Diamonds & Dirt album. @_johnny_99_ and I both love this album. Fun to tackle this one together.
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Pedal Steel tabs available at bit.ly/pedalsteel-tabs

Soft rock glamour shots by my bestie @vanessaheins from this last @cityandcolour_official tour. ✌🏻✌🏻
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#cityandcolour #mattkelly #mattkellypedalsteel #pedalsteel #pedalsteelguitar #steelguitar #lespaul #rickenbacker #gibson #gibsonguitars #mullenguitars

Soft rock glamour shots by my bestie @vanessaheins from this last @cityandcolour_official tour. ✌🏻✌🏻
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#cityandcolour #mattkelly #mattkellypedalsteel #pedalsteel #pedalsteelguitar #steelguitar #lespaul #rickenbacker #gibson #gibsonguitars #mullenguitars

City and Colour encore at @tallpinesfest

City and Colour encore at @tallpinesfest

A beautiful night! Thanks for the love @bornxraisedon.
@cityandcolour_official @_johnny_99_ @poolhallnielsen @leoneelipower @vanessaheins

A beautiful night! Thanks for the love @bornxraisedon.
@cityandcolour_official @_johnny_99_ @poolhallnielsen @leoneelipower @vanessaheins

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@mattkelly250

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