A Musician Giving Back: How One Performer is Using His Talent to Make a Difference

Sometimes, the most meaningful connections come from unexpected places. When we talked to Matthew Enos, we were immediately drawn to his passion—not just for music, but for using his talents to give back to organizations that make a difference in people’s lives. His story is one of generosity, community, and a deep personal connection to our organization through a family member.

Matthew’s journey of giving took a personal turn when his nephew’s son, Scotty, began using assistive technology provided by Children’s Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.), a little over the age of 10 months old. Having donated to various charities over the years, Matthew saw an opportunity to support an organization that was directly helping his own family. One of the most moving moments for Matthew and his family was seeing Scotty, who had developmental delays, using a refurbished walker for the first time. “Just seeing him scoot around the kitchen instead of crawling on the floor—it was amazing”, said Matthew.

For Matthew, music has always been a passion rather than a financial pursuit. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he started performing online to bring people together during a time of isolation. What started as a fun way to stay connected turned into something much bigger. “People were home, they had nothing to do, and they were listening to live music,” he said. “I started taking song requests during live-streamed performances, and before I knew it, we were raising thousands of dollars for different charities.”

That giving spirit has continued as Matthew now uses his gigs to raise funds for organizations like C.A.T.S. “Once I started donating my earnings, people really got into it. Someone would throw in $100 just to hear a song—it became this great way to support a good cause while doing something I love.”

Music isn’t just Matthew’s passion—it’s a family affair. His wife, Donna, sings alongside him, and his 16- year-old daughter, Emma, who is involved in musical theater, often joins him on stage. “There’s nothing better than performing together,” he said. “My wife is amazing with Fleetwood Mac-style songs, and my daughter recently sang some Chappell Roan songs with me at a gig.”

Growing up in a household filled with music, Matthew’s influences span across generations and genres. From classic rock and 90s alternative to OutKast and Paul Simon, his setlist is as diverse as the crowd he plays for. “I never know where the night is going to go—it depends on the audience, their energy, and the requests they throw at me.”

What started as a simple love for playing music has turned into something much greater. Matthew’s story is a testament to the power of using one’s talents to uplift others. By turning his passion into a way to give back, he’s not just entertaining audiences—he’s changing lives. If you’d like to see Matthew perform live and support a great cause, be sure to catch one of his shows
and follow him at https://www.facebook.com/hornethokie. And if you feel inspired, consider donating to C.A.T.S. to help provide life-changing assistive technology to children in need.

A huge thank you to Matthew and his family for their generosity and for reminding us all that music, at its core, is about bringing people together.