Matthew and Gunnar played their first gig at Town and Country Mall when they were eight.
Nelson shot footage for their 4th video, "Only Time Will Tell", with director Mark Rezyka at Prince's Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis, MN. It's a straight-performance clip, shot on a much smaller scale than the splashy "Love And Affection" and "After the Rain", or arena-set "More Than Ever."
Gunnar is left-handed, Matthew is right-handed.
When Matt and Gunn were growing up, their mom, Kris, moved their equipment to their dad's place 15 miles away. They persisted, never giving up their dream.
Matthew is not a big drinker. He'd rather have orange juice.
They recorded their first song, "Feelings of Love" on their 10th birthday; the studio session was a surprise from their dad.
Matthew and Gunnar began playing professionally at 13, their sights firmly set on a recording career.
The Nelson twins were signed by Geffen (DGC) Records in 1988.
After the Rain was released in the summer of 1990.
"Their grandfather had a No. 1 record in 1935, their father, No. 1's in '58 and '61, and they hit No. 1 in '90." That was the Final Jeopardy answer on Jeopardy! on May 15, 1991. The right question of course, was "Who are the Nelson twins?," and it highlighted the fact that Gunnar and Matthew are heir to a significant musical legacy, but have made a mark of their own.
Nelson's music is powerful, emotional, and personal, reflecting the twins' often painful real-life experiences. Yet it remains positive and hopeful, a winning combination which strikes all the right chords on record and on stage.
Both Matthew and Gunnar wear a size 9 shoe.
Matt & Gunn are both L.A. Kings fans. Matt also follows the Lakers and the Raiders.
Their watches are their favorite items of jewelry.
From their dad they learned about sacrifice, responsibility, discipline, and the harsh realities of a roller coaster-like business in which you can be up one minute and down the next.
Their fathers' tragic death in a New Year's Eve plane crash in 1985 deprived them not only of a father, but of a mentor, role model, and friend.
Hurting from the loss of their father, Matthew and Gunnar went through a rough period in which they were unhappy, musically unfocused, and uncool in their attitude. Fortunately, they came to their senses and got back on track personally and professionally - Gunnar switched from drums to guitar, and they rededicated themselves to songwriting, going to Australia to do so in 1987.
"Tracy's Song" on After the Rain was inspired by their sister, who waged a valiant struggle against Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer, in 1988.
Matt's bass guitar is decorated with four symbols, each linked to a song: a flaming guitar("Desire"), an angel/heart("Love and Affection"), a wing/feather("More Than Ever"), and a flaming/chained heart("Will You Love Me?").
Gifts from fans to Matt & Gun range from floral to wearable to edible.
According to Matt, the theaters Nelson played ranged from new venues with huge dressing rooms and great food(Milwaukee{Note: 20 miles North of Author's home town; I was at these concerts! :-) })to ones with rusty pipes, peeling plaster, and tiny stages(Rockford, IL). "But we get on stage and the people are out there, and it doesn't matter. The crowds are haywire. It's great."
Matthew spent six months restoring his '65 Mustang to mint condition.
"Love Me Today was written about their pop in 1986 but was not on After the Rain because they didn't want to appear to be capitalizing on his death.
Matthew loves roller coasters, "the scarier the better."
Abbey Road is Matt's favorite Beatles album.
Gunnar is a big fan of Stephen King novels.
Gunnar loves tigers, especially white tigers.