Andy Mason - guitar, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, vocals
Influences
the Beatles, Supertramp, Sting, Clapton, CSNY, Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Motown sound, the Eagles, the Dead, Dire Straits, John and Michelle Law soo many others; it's a crime not to mention them but it would take too long
Buy a CD online! goto blogs! Subscribe to blogs, hopefully if I do this right, you will be able to buy my CDs, etc...
Sounds Like
Jonathan Edwards; Elton John playing Bob Wills, Ricky Skaggs jamming with a Native country and powwow band, the heart and soul of Mother Earth, unique sound of a singer/songwriter
2008 Native-e-Music Award 5-time Nominee and Mainstream Song of the Year Award Winner Andy W. Mason, is an Upper Cayuga/Mohawk singer/songwriter with over 20 yrs. on stage as solo musician, bandleader, back-up musician/session player or actor. His primarily instrument is the guitar, but he also plays mandolin, harmonica, drums/percussion, some bass, and has tried his hand at others as well. His main strength is his vocals, with approximately a 3 or more octave range. Most of the harmonies on his debut CD are his own voice. ------------------------------------------------
He first stepped on stage at seven, singing with a school choir. Beginning at that age, he began teaching himself to play instruments to accompany his singing since as a child, he had already developed a keen ear; many family members played instruments or sang. In high school, he did theater, and played cover and original songs to standing ovations at school assemblies. Upon leaving home and moving to Toronto, family introduced him to musicians and actors in the Toronto and international scene; Don Francks, Gary Farmer, Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, and Graham Greene, encouraged his efforts into acting and music. In 1984, James E. Mason O.M.C., his father, introduced him to one of the directors, who he auditioned for and was accepted, into K.Y.T.E.S., a unique theatre troupe who developed and wrote their own characters and scripts. They toured Canada in 1985, and were the subject of a documentary film, "K.Y.T.E.S. - How We Dream Ourselves" by Deepa Mehta and Sunrise Films. The film featured songs by Andy and his sister Corky, including his song "Long Walk 49 Song". He also went to his first powwows in the 80s', and took part both as a drummer/singer and has since performed his own music at them.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In spring 1986 at a coffeehouse in downtown Toronto, in front of peers, colleagues and family, he was given the name "Kahn-tah-wi-wim-tchi-git" by the late William 'Billy' Sault. In Ojibway (Anishinawbe) it means "He Who Makes Beautiful Music", or more simply, "Beautiful Music Maker". He soon met with musicians busking, and with them formed a CSNY tribute band called 4 Way Street. Relocating to Ottawa, they toured mostly Ontario and Quebec, and opened for major acts along the way, among them Five Man Electrical Band, Colin James, Goddo, Al Stewart, and Barney Bentall. The late great Jeff Healey jumped onstage to jam with them at the Penguin Blues Club in Ottawa, on Canada Day 1994. After eight years they broke up, and co-founding member John Law left for B.C. after their last show with his new wife Michele. They became known as singer-songwriter duo The Laws (http://www.reverbnation.com/thelaws ).
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After playing with a couple of other bands during and after 4 Way Street (Brementown Musicians, The Crooked Horn, and Chapter 23,) in the Ottawa Valley, he headed to B.C. as well. . .
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Soon after arriving in Vancouver, B.C., he appeared as a background performer in numerous films and television shows, among them "Out Cold" (movie), "Battlestar Galactica", "The X-Files", and "Masters of Horror" (VH1 series). He is always looking for more opportunities in the field of film/television. -----------------------------------------------------------
He recorded and played various instruments and sang with artists David Roy Parsons (http://www.myspace.com/davidroyparsons ) and Joey Only of Joey Only and The Outlaw Band (http://www.myspace.com/xjoeyonlyx). He and David Roy Parsons co-founded a music production company to produce their own music. He then formed a band called Andy and the Tricksters with guitarist/sound designer/engineer /producer Mike Tait(http://www.stringbenderproductions.com ), playing mostly original material to audiences both large and small. After several years and several bands in B.C., he has recently written and recorded new material with some writers from those other bands. He has, in the last few years, also played with and/or opened for artists such as the late Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, Keith Secola, Redbone, Joanne Shenandoah, Joanne Storm, George Leach, Wayne Lavallee, among others. His influences are many, and he has been touched by so many types of music, as evidenced by his debut CD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Material from his debut CD, "Long Walk 49", can be heard and requested on Aboriginal Voices Radio at present http://www.aboriginalradio.com; also http://www.NativeRadio.com; contact them and request his songs! --------------------
Feel free to visit http://www.native-e-musicawards.com for more information on the 2008 Native-e-music Awards.
Find more at: http:www.ReverbNation.com/andywmason; to hear most of the CD "Long Walk 49", go to My Showcase , where you can vote on the site and songs, and are encouraged to do so.
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HEY. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. HOPE ITS A GOOD ONE! Hey Andy. check out the video the sons of anarchy people put together. Ill holler at you after the hollidays...be safe..
Hey friend remember us we would like to think you because wit out you we couldn't of gotten so far, we started this account 3years ago and we never would expect to go so far wit the band
1 000 000 play on youtube & myspace
50 000 friend myspace top 20 Canadian band and now our first deal, when you look at peoples comments you know this band will have huge follow up
Hey Bro! Finally heard from my cubby bear. Life has mysterious ways ;). I hope all is well and believe me, I do love your music. So with that said; "Keep Pumpin em out".
cool you're coming back east next year!! I'm going to make sure I can make that festival. Still working on aboriginal land rights stuff - with my Indian band now - nice to be at home!! later bro'!
Hey Andy! Congratulations on the win at Native E-Music awards! Right On! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I am so glad you won - not for the prize of course but for the recognition of your wonderful talent - as a songwriter and as a performer. Can't wait to see your show on saturday. peace. b.
As my son's uncle, our side of the family is so proud of you, much support dreamwalker- your music has been great for years and I wish you many opportunities. Never give up-sailor!
It would be so cool if we were at a time where we were close enough that I could walk in and play that song with you.I LOVE that song.From the second I heard it.
