Matt Mason (singer)

Matt Mason (born c. 1985) is an American country music singer from Indiana. He was the winner of CMT's Next Superstar in 2011. Prior to that he had competed on TV show Nashville Star.

Mason has self-released several recordings, and is now signed to Warner Bros. Records.

Early life and career

He was born in the Indianapolis area and attended Triton Central High School in Shelby County, Indiana.[1] He grew up listening to traditional country music. He says he started playing guitar at age eleven, and from that time onward wanted to sing professionally. He was 16 when he opened for the Charlie Daniels Band in western Massachusetts. Six months after graduating high school in 2004, he moved to Nashville to pursue his career, and found work as a session musician almost immediately. Within three weeks, he was performing in live shows.[2]

Television competition shows

In 2006, at age 20, he appeared on Nashville Star,[2] finishing in fourth place.[3] Afterwards, his productivity was affected by a struggle with alcohol and drug addiction, from which he recovered.[4] He subsequently performed live as often as four times a week in venues on Lower Broadway.[4] In 2011 he won CMT's Next Superstar.[5][6]

Post-Superstar

Following his Next Superstar win, Mason was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Anticipating a slow process of creating and releasing a major-label album, Mason continued to tour and self-release recordings.[7][8] He released the EP America's Favorite Pastime in 2012.[9]

Mason lives in Nashville.[7]

Studio albums

Title Album details
Where I've Been
  • Release date: June 10, 2008
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, music download
Chasing Stardust
  • Release date: May 1, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, music download
America's Favorite Pastime
  • Release date: October 23, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, music download
When It All Goes South
  • Release date: February 2, 2015
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: CD, music download

References

  1. ↑ "Hoosier musician Matt Mason lands label, U.S. tour". Indy Star. June 17, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Penhollow, Steve (February 26, 2006). "Rants & Raves: Indiana supplies fifth of new 'Nashville Star'". The Journal Gazette. p. E1.
  3. ↑ Wooley, John (August 4, 2006). "Star power: 'Nashville Star' champ is hanging on for the ride". Tulsa World. p. S12.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Conaway, Allana (May 2, 2011). "Matt Mason Is Ready to Be Country Music’s ‘Next Superstar’". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  5. ↑ Harr, Dan (June 24, 2011). "Matt Mason From CMT’s Next Superstar Performs at Warner Music Nashville". Music News Nashville.
  6. ↑ Tucker, Ken (Jun 12, 2011). "Matt Mason Wins CMT's Next Superstar". Country Weekly.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thrasher, Don (June 22, 2012). "Mason Mason: 'Next superstar' invests in himself". Dayton Daily News. p. AC4.
  8. ↑ Thrasher, Don (July 26, 2013). "The Top". Dayton Daily News. p. AC3.
  9. ↑ Thrasher, Don (November 1, 2013). "Matt Mason: Country singer survives by catering to fans: Musician combines online social media posts with touring". Dayton Daily News. p. AC5.

Further reading

External links