How Suffering From Addiction Turned To Inspiration | Matt B.

Meet Matt Butler—NYC-born singer-songwriter, former Universal-signed artist, and founder of the nonprofit Art That Serves. From music-fueled isolation and addiction to sharing songs in prisons across the country, Matt’s story is a powerful reminder of transformation through honesty, service, and purpose.

Matt opens up about his early life in Manhattan, his struggle with abandonment issues, and how alcohol and drugs offered a false sense of belonging. By the time he reached college at NYU, his substance use escalated, leading to arrests, broken relationships, and deep isolation. The turning point came not in a courtroom, but in an office—when he finally admitted to his employers that he was struggling. That moment of accountability led him to treatment and began his 11-year journey in recovery. Today, he’s a touring musician bringin ...