When Matthew Stubbs graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 2000, he set his sights on learning more about one of the things he loved most — music.

Through the years, Stubbs lived and loved music, mostly playing his guitar. A look back into Pinkerton's Critic yearbook in 2000 shows a portrait of Stubbs and the goals he wrote: "To continue playing my guitar, singing my songs, and keeping the real music alive."

In the years since, that's exactly what Stubbs has done, kept the music alive while playing his guitar.

The 25-year-old Hampstead native returns to his roots and performs at Tupelo Music Hall Thursday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. in a CD-release concert also featuring Sax Gordon.

Stubbs went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he honed his guitar skills and performed the music styles he loved and appreciated, mostly the blues.

He and his band took first place in the 2003 Boston Blues Society's Blues Challenge. Success continued to follow with more honors at blues festivals and competitions around the nation. He now has the opportunity to join some of today's best blues greats on stage to perform.

In an earlier interview, Stubbs talked about his beginnings and how he learned to love the guitar. He grew up surrounded by guitar sounds. His dad, Dale, played guitar and had a band. Stubbs said he used to enjoy hearing his father play and knew the guitar was part of his life path.

"I knew I wanted to make music my career the very first year I started playing," he said. "My dream from eighth grade through high school was to go to Berklee, and then go on to perform as a full-time musician. I always wanted to be on the road touring, and I am lucky to be able to make it my career and not have to have a day job."

When he comes home to play at the Tupelo, it will be bittersweet. He has played there several times before and it will most likely feel like home.

"Music is what I love; it's my career and my hobby all in one," he said. "I can't get enough of it."

Visit the Tupelo Music Hall online at www.tupelohall.com for ticket availability or to check out a complete schedule of upcoming performers.

ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ

Julie Huss is a staff writer for the Derry News. Her entertainment/arts column appears weekly. To contact her, call 421-3847 or e-mail at jhuss@derrynews.com.