Also Known As: Matt Betton, Jr., Matthew Betton, Matthew Betton, Jr.


Matt Betton is a drummer, saxophonist and songwriter who is the son of the acclaimed band and orchestra leader of the same name.

He was the drummer for Sonny & Cher in the 1960s and in 1976 he recorded the debut album with the Alpha Band as an extra member after they came to light in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue.

He has appeared as a musician with many bands including as a member of the Coral Reefer Band for over ten years and with Jimmy Buffett he wrote “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On” which was about New Orleans after the Hurricane Katrina Disaster.

Albums he has appeared on include Take the Weather With You, Coconut Telegraph, Riddles in the Sand and Boats, Floridays, Somewhere Over China, Last Mango in Paris, Beaches Bars & Ballads by Jimmy Buffett , Greatest Hits Vol. 1, Major Moves, Wild Streak and Montana Cafi by Hank Williams Jr., Legacy 1961-2002 by Glen Campbell , Strait Out Of The Box and Greatest Collection by George Strait , My Best to You by Reba McEntire, Country Rap by The Bellamy Brothers, Best Years of My Life by Eddie Rabbitt, Nashville Rebel, Hangin’ Tough and Will the Wolf Surive? by Waylon Jennings and Sonny & Cher: Live and All I Ever Need by Sonny & Cher.





records known:
Sonny & Cher Live - Sonny & Cher Live [live] • Sonny & Cher 1971 drums
Delbert & Glen - Delbert & Glen • Delbert & Glen 1972 drums, keyboards
Jennifer Warnes - Jennifer Warnes • Jennifer Warnes 1976 drums
Living Alone - Living Alone • Marie Cain 1976 drums
The Alpha Band - The Alpha Band • The Alpha Band 1976 drums
Diggin' It - Diggin' It • Dunn & Rubini 1976 drums
Spark in the Dark - Spark in the Dark • The Alpha Band 1977 drums
Winged Horses - Winged Horses • Matthew Moore 1978 drums
The Sport of Guessing - The Sport of Guessing • Matthew Moore 1979 drums, percussion
Bet Your Heart on Me - Bet Your Heart on Me • Johnny Lee 1981 drums
Heartbreak - Heartbreak • Bert Jansch 1981 drums
Coconut Telegraph - Coconut Telegraph • Jimmy Buffett 1981 drums
Letterock - Letterock • Lisa Hartman 1982 drums
Somewhere Over China - Somewhere Over China • Jimmy Buffett 1982 drums, timbales
Hey Bartender - Hey Bartender • Johnny Lee 1983 drums
Strong Stuff - Strong Stuff • Hank Williams, Jr. 1983 drums
The Heart Never Lies - The Heart Never Lies • Michael Martin Murphey 1983 drums
Why Lady Why - Why Lady Why • Gary Morris 1983 drums
Cage the Songbird - Cage the Songbird • Crystal Gayle 1983 drums
'Til the Bars Burn Down - 'Til the Bars Burn Down • Johnny Lee 1984 drums
Major Moves - Major Moves • Hank Williams, Jr. 1984 drums
Too Good to Stop Now - Too Good to Stop Now • John Schneider 1984 drums
Till I Made It With You - Till I Made It With You • Mac Davis 1985 drums
Tryin' to Outrun the Wind - Tryin' to Outrun the Wind • John Schneider 1985 drums
Workin' for a Livin' - Workin' for a Livin' • Johnny Lee 1985 drums
Nobody Wants to Be Alone - Nobody Wants to Be Alone • Crystal Gayle 1985 drums
Have I Got a Deal for You - Have I Got a Deal for You • Reba McEntire 1985 drums
Just a Woman - Just a Woman • Loretta Lynn 1985 drums
Something Special - Something Special • George Strait 1985 drums
A Memory Like You - A Memory Like You • John Schneider 1986 drums
Country Rap - Country Rap • The Bellamy Brothers 1986 drums
Whoever's in New England - Whoever's in New England • Reba McEntire 1986 drums
Will the Wolf Survive - Will the Wolf Survive • Waylon Jennings 1986 drums
Floridays - Floridays • Jimmy Buffett 1986 drums
Take the Long Way Home - Take the Long Way Home • John Schneider 1986 drums
What Am I Gonna Do About You - What Am I Gonna Do About You • Reba McEntire 1986 drums
Born to Boogie - Born to Boogie • Hank Williams, Jr. 1987 drums
Hangin' Tough - Hangin' Tough • Waylon Jennings 1987 drums
You Ain't Seen the Last of Me - You Ain't Seen the Last of Me • John Schneider 1987 drums
Wild Streak - Wild Streak • Hank Williams, Jr. 1988 drums
Omnipop (It's Only a Fleshwound Lambchop) - Omnipop (It's Only a Fleshwound Lambchop) • Sam Phillips 1996 marimba
Far Side of the World - Far Side of the World • Jimmy Buffett 2002 songwriter
Ghostlight - Ghostlight • Betty Buckley 2014 drums