Melanie Mason

Artist Information

Biography

"Mason is a triple threat as singer, guitarist and songwriter, and she's able to hold her own in both band and solo settings." --Richard Harrington, WASHINGTON POST

One of the few female lead guitarists in the Northeast region, Melanie Mason continues to expand her popularity on the indie blues-rock scene as electric guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the Melanie Mason Band. She also excels as a solo traditional acoustic blues artist, specializing in Delta and Piedmont-style country blues.

AWARDS & HIGHLIGHTS...
Since releasing her debut CD in 2001, Mason has been recognized in a number of ways:

--International top-seller on CD Baby for over 6 years; current status: Guitar Blues (#1), Electric Blues (#2), Blues (#3), Acoustic Blues (#16)

--Winner of the 2007 Best Female Blues Vocalist Award, Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Nominated 3 times for Best Blues Instrumentalist award, Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Nominated 5 times for Best Blues Band, Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Solo finalist (1 of 6 selected nationwide) in the 2007 Telluride Acoustic Blues Competition (Telluride, Colorado)

--Voted Best Blues Band by readers in Music Monthly's 2007 Readers' Poll of 90,000+ D.C. and Baltimore readers, plus a Best Acoustic Artist honorable mention. 

--Winner of the 2005 Best Blues Recording Award ("Live at Blues Alley" CD), Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Winner of the 2004 Best Blues Recording Award ("Lonesome Is I" CD), Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Nominated for 2004 Album of the Year, ("Lonesome Is I" CD), Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

--Winner of the 2003 D.C. Blues Society's International Blues Challenge band competition (Washington, D.C.)

--Featured lead guitarist in 2003 Emmy award-winning PBS WETA-TV ads promoting Martin Scorsese's "The Blues" film series. Check it out at www.sonicbids.com/melaniemason!

--Winner of the 2001 Best Blues Recording Award ("Bendin' the Blues" CD), Washington Area Music Association (Washington, D.C.)

ON STAGE...
Mason has made repeat appearances at numerous venues, such as the Birchmere, Blues Alley, Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival, BlackRock Center for the Arts, Carter Barron, National Capital BBQ Battle, and many more. She is proud to have opened for many music legends, such as:

--Buddy Guy
--Taj Mahal
--Robert Cray
--Don McLean
--Robin Trower
--Little Feat’s Barrere & Tackett
--and many more!

Instrumentation

SOLO: acoustic guitar; vocals
DUO: acoustic guitar & harp; vocals
TRIO: electric guitar, bass & drums; vocals
QUARTET: trio, plus keys/organ or harp; vocals

Repertoire: Electric blues-rock and traditional Delta/Piedmont acoustic blues; plus blues-oriented classic rock & jazzy blues

Contact: 301-943-7323 or email at left

Discography

LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY (2005)
The third release from Mason and her band; a compelling live performance recorded at the legendary Blues Alley. Winner of WAMA's 2005 Best Blues Recording award. "Impeccable guitar playing." --Elmore Magazine

LONESOME IS I (2004)
A warm and soulful collection of solo acoustic country blues. Winner of WAMA's 2004 Best Blues Recording award. “A beautifully rendered album.” --Blues Revue

BENDIN' THE BLUES (2001): Debut album from lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Melanie Mason and her band; winner of WAMA’s 2001 Best Blues Recording award. “10 out of 10.”--Blues Matters



Melanie Mason, copyright 2007
www.melaniemason.com

Audio

• Ready for the Road (BAND/original)
  Listen  
• Preachin' Blues - Up Jumped the Devil (SOLO/cover)
  Listen  
• Lonely Lonesome Gal (SOLO/original)
  Listen  
• Ease Up (SOLO/original)
  Listen  
• Love's Slow Burn
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Ready for the Road (original)
• Lonely Lonesome Gal (original)
• Ease Up (original)
• Love's Slow Burn (original)

Video

Regional Emmy award-winning PBS ad promoting Scorsese's "The Blues" (WETA-TV)

Photo Gallery

Press

• Blues Revue [+ Show ]
  

  “Her electric guitar work is eye-opening...Mason can unleash absolutely monster axe...and her vocals...“Her electric guitar work is eye-opening...Mason can unleash absolutely monster axe...and her vocals cook up something uniquely hers."

• Blues Revue [+ Show ]
  

  “Mason’s supple acoustic guitar work is exemplary...She slides and picks with an obvious understandi...“Mason’s supple acoustic guitar work is exemplary...She slides and picks with an obvious understanding of the qualities that make this music so timeless.”

• Washingtonian Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  “A hot blues-rock group fronted by a woman who sings and plays lead guitar...A new generation of Was...“A hot blues-rock group fronted by a woman who sings and plays lead guitar...A new generation of Washington musicians beginning to wow crowds."

• Washington Post [+ Show ]
  

  "Mason is a triple threat as singer, guitarist and songwriter, and she's able to hold her own in bot..."Mason is a triple threat as singer, guitarist and songwriter, and she's able to hold her own in both band and solo settings."

• WRNR 103.1 (Annapolis, MD)
  

  “A talent poised for blues stardom.”

• WPFW 89.3 (Washington, D.C.)
  

  “An artist clearly on the rise."

• Allman Brothers' Hittin’ The Note [+ Show ]
  

  “It’s not often that a debut disc (Bendin' the Blues) by a regional player is so rich in well-writte...“It’s not often that a debut disc (Bendin' the Blues) by a regional player is so rich in well-written original material.”

Setlist

MELANIE MASON BAND:

--Original electric blues from Mason's award-winning albums

--Crowd-pleasing covers in the electric blues-rock, jazzy blues, motown and classic rock genres; holiday music also available

MELANIE MASON SOLO/DUO:

--Original acoustic blues in the traditional Piedmont and Delta stylings (slack key fingerpicking and slide)

--Crowd-pleasing covers in the acoustic blues, jazzy blues, folk, and classic rock genres; holiday music also available

Basic Requirements

Calendar