Mason Douglas
Nashville, Tennessee, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"...indie country doesn’t get much tighter (or much better) than this. Mason Douglas...totally delivers the goods. - American Twang
"Who is Mason Douglas, and where has he been all my life? I don’t know when I have heard a more accomplished debut single...takes off like a rocketship and blazes across your brain with its jets firing wide open. Power and drive to spare. Give that man a DisCovery Award." - Music Row Magazine
Every week, I look over the gig listings for the week ahead and make a mental note on the shows I want to get out and see.
And every week, most (and sometimes all) of those targeted gigs slip by, as I get wrapped up in the time-consuming details of day to day life.
But boy, am I glad I made it to the Bluebird on August 31st, for a songwriter-in the-round performance to benefit the Miller Harris Asthma Camp. My primary motivation was to see Mason Douglas, whose single, "Anything Can Happen", had just been added to the VoC A-List.
And with all due respect to the other songwriters performing, Mason stole the show with his masterful vocal style and sharp songwriting skills. Barry O'Neill and I looked at each other while Mason performed and nodded, stating "this guy would go over REALLY well in the UK."
Mason also has just released a new album called "My Wild Heart", which showcases his versatility as a performer and writer. But most of his work is impacted by his appreciation of rock and pop music, which combines with his Country sensibility to make a compelling (and UK-friendly) mix.
Also appearing was Doug Johnson, who had an amazing backlog of hit songs to his credit. Among those he performed were Clay Walker's recent Top Ten, "She Won't Be Lonely Long, Randy Travis' "Three Wooden Crosses" and numerous other Top Ten hits. Doug was head honcho at Giant Records in Nashville, back in the boom years of the 90's.
Songwriter Gary Hannan had loads of great tunes to perform, including the ever-popular "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off". Gary has a really interesting background, hailing originally from Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia). Montgomery Gentry have recorded several of his songs.
To keep the line-up from being a boys night out, Denise Locke took her place in the circle, accompanying herself on both guitar and keyboard. Although her music was new to me, I would not be at all surprised to see her name on the credits of some chart hits at any time.
Barry and I are desperate to get some of these people over to the UK to perform some songwriters' nights. Working out the logistics can be complicated and time consuming, but in the meantime, you're all invited to our CMA Awards tour in November, where you can spend a night at the Bluebird in addition to a host of other great Music City happenings. Wish You Were Here, to coin a phrase! - Voice of Country
Rick Jarrard (Producer of Jefferson Airplane’s Surrealistic Pillow, Michael McDonald and Jose Feliciano) said, “Mason Douglas is truly an outstanding new artist. He is that rare combination of singer/songwriter and personal charisma that is so hard to find. I have discovered and developed several major artists such as Michael McDonald, and I feel that Mason Douglas could follow in their footsteps.”
- Rick Jarrard
Discography
"My Wild Heart" - Rural Rhythm Records 2010
"Home Free" (radio remix) - radio single; nominated for Strictly Country's "Song Of The Year"
"Words And Music Nashville" - Adroit Records 2009
Calling My Name - 2006 Balance Records release
Photos
Bio
Hey, this is Mason...let's begin by telling you what you’re going to hear. Here is what a recent write-up about me had to say:
“Mason’s fans have become addicted to his distinguished diversity, some saying he sounds like Chris Isaak with his signature, sexy falsettos; some saying Garth Brooks with his honesty and range; and others even saying he’s ‘country music’s Rob Thomas’.”
I'd personally say that I'm the perfect blend of Garth, Springsteen, and Chris Isaak but I guess they’re pretty much right on the money with that one. (It’s SO much easier to say what they said than to actually say it about myself. Because that’s just kinda goofy.)
Let’s continue with the things that I’ve accomplished in my musical career that I’m proud of: I’ve showcased at the historic and humbling Ryman Auditorium which was beyond words and an absolute dream come true…I’ve opened for Trace Adkins, Terri Clark, Jewel, Big & Rich, James Otto, and a bunch of others…I had continued airplay on terrestrial syndication radio (Big D And Bubba) with my songs “Home Free” and “Meet Me At The End Of The Aisle”…I signed with Rural Rhythm Records, wrote, recorded and released my debut album, “Anything Can Happen”, all while working an 8-to-5 day job to pay the bills (MUCH tougher than it sounds, mind you…and no, I do not have to go to the day job anymore but I’m thankful that I did when I had to because now I can say “IT CAN BE DONE!” to all the Nay-Sayers that cry “It canNOT be done!”. That’s B.S.). Oh, and I’m also very proud of the fact that I wrote/co-wrote 9 out of the 11 songs on this recent album.
Next, I’m a HUGE military supporter. My father, before he died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease when I was 16, was an Air Force Colonel and Vietnam Vet and he instilled a deep patriotism that I carry with me to this day. One of my unaccomplished dreams is a Middle East USO Tour to go play for the troops over there. Say…do you know anybody who knows anybody?!
Some snippets: I’m original from Tucson, Arizona; I’m a diehard Arizona Wildcats and Dallas Cowboys fan; Garth is my main musical idol but I’ve also got some Guns ‘N Roses, Counting Crows, and George Michael coursing through my veins; I love red wine and I love Fat Tire, both independently; my favorite movie is “Scream”; I am 100% heterosexual, if you're wondering; yes, my favorite movie is “Scream”…get over it; I “heavily fibbed” a lot in my younger days and some of my heartbreak songs are about the girls that got really upset at the aforementioned heavy fibbing; I do not heavily fib anymore.
Being that I do not heavily fib anymore (or lightly fib, mind you), I can sum up by saying with absolutely sincerity that I believe that this music that I’ve created and released has been the strongest music that Nashville and yourself has ever heard. I am so absolutely EXCITED to get it out to the world and let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy it as well. I do hope that you arrived with me here at the end of this page and that you’ll continue on along with me to the next levels and beyond. It has been such an incredible experience getting from Tucson as a kid with a dream to where I am now…so many stories I want to share and so much more music I want to offer. Thank you for these few minutes and the opportunity to make that happen! And of course, thanks for taking a listen...
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