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New Bern's ‘Music Man’ recovering after weekend assault

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published March 6, 2025 at 7:11 AM EST
Matthews is known as the ‘Music Man’ and is often seen on the benches on Middle Street near Baker’s Kitchen playing guitar.
GoFundMe
Matthews is known as the ‘Music Man’ and is often seen on the benches on Middle Street near Baker’s Kitchen playing guitar.

A fund drive has been set up for a downtown New Bern musician who was assaulted last weekend.

New Bern police say Howard Matthews was attacked at about 9:00 a.m. Saturday on Neuse Boulevard.

Matthews is known as the ‘Music Man’ and is often seen on the benches on Middle Street near Baker’s Kitchen playing guitar.

He was treated at the hospital and released; police said Tyrek Briley was charged with simple assault.

A GoFundMe page to help Matthews said he was shoved off his bicycle and beaten.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston