Fund drive set up for New Bern’s “Music Man” after Saturday attack

NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – A fund drive has been set up for a downtown New Bern musician who was attacked over the weekend.New Bern police say Howard Matthews was the victim of an assault around 9:00 a.m. Saturday on Neuse Boulevard.Matthews is known as the ‘Music Man’ and is often seen outside Baker’s Kitchen on Middle Street playing his guitar.Tyrek Briley was charged by police with simple assault and police say Mathews wasThe GoFundMe page says Matthews was shoved off his bicycle and beaten. Copyright 2025 WITN. All rights reserved. .