Prolific multi-instrumentalist Barbara Mason is among the purest vocal expressionists to happen upon the ever-changing entertainment spectrum. Possessing photogenic charm and a lucidly enchanting singing style, Barbara’s storybook rise to stardom is a fascinating journey from pigtails and bobby socks to high-heels and high fashion.
As the native daughter of the city of Brotherly Love, Barbara was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania August 9, 1947. Precocious Barbara’s musical curiosity was first tweaked at age twelve as she began to experiment with the piano and to compose her own songs. She soon started forming groups with neighborhood friends, and participating in local talent shows. Barbara gained the experience that would prove invaluable. Weldon Arthur McDougal 111, a member of the Philly soul group, the Larks offered Barbara a chance to perform at the B and R Night Club located in the Philadelphia area. After receiving a standing ovation for her rendition of Moon River, McDougal offered her the opportunity to record. She became proficient at keyboards and her lyrical finesse blossomed, it was obvious that she was destined to become not only the creator of the Philly Sound, but the very inspiration for one of the greatest love ballads ever, her self penned—“Yes I’m Ready”
McDougal then introduced Barbara to local DJ/promoter, Jimmy Bishop, who would later help finance her debut single, "Troubled Child", and sign her to Crusader Records. In 1964, at age seventeen Barbara cut her first hit single, "Girls Have Feelings Too", on Artic Records, and it reached 3 on the U.S. charts. But it was her third Arctic single that Barbara will always be remembered for, issued in August 1965, "Yes, I'm Ready". Touching down at the 3spot on the R & B charts and rising to 5 on the competitive pop charts. “Yes I’m Ready” is an evocative, unyielding tune with potent lyrics and a flowing orchestral movement of lavish string arrangements. It exposes the innocence of the young, but accentuates their eagerness to learn to love and be loved by a special one. This electrifying mid-60s hit song ignited the airwaves with such impact that rhythmic reverberations of epic proportions are still resounding today, eclipsing all other versions. The song remained on the charts for some 35 weeks, jockeying with artists such as, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for number one. Joe Tarsia, owner of Philadelphia’s legendary Sigma Studios credits, “Yes, I’m Ready”, as the song that originated the “Philly Sound”.
In 1966 her next release, "Sad, Sad Girl" soared to 12 and to top 20 on the pop charts. In 1967 after two more hits with, "Oh, How It Hurts”, and "I Need Love" She left Arctic Records in 1970 and joined the music label, National General. Through this label Barbara released her first album "If You Knew Him Like I Do" and a medium-sized hit with the B.J. Thomas cover "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". National General closed its doors, and in1971 she then joined music label innovator, Neil Bogart's Buddah Records. There she collaborated with Curtis Mayfield, who produced two songs on Barbara's debut album, “Give Me Your Love”. The two singles, "Give Me Your Love" and "You Can Be With The One You Don’t”, both became top 10 R&B hits. While at Buddah, she released three more albums, “Lady Love” in 1973, “Transition” in 1974 and 1975’s, “Love’s The Thing”, which contained the smash hit, “From His Woman To You”, a response to Shirley Brown’s classic, “Woman To Woman”. All three were top 20 R&B album releases. During this 70’s period she found time to captivate us with her sultry vocals on the sound tracks “Sheba Baby” starring Pam Grier and “Gordon’s War” starring Paul Winfield, two black film classics. She also garnered the 1972 NATRA award for best female vocalist. In 1977, Barbara signed with Mr. Mayfield's Curtom Records where she released the well received, “Locked In This Position”, collaboration with Philly Soul producer, Bunny Sigler. In 1978, Ms. Mason signed with pioneer Dance music label, Prelude Records where she released the album, “I Am Your Woman, She Is Your Wife”. Harry Casey, a.k.a., K.C., of the Sunshine Band and Pop vocalist, Teri Desario recorded a duet version of Barbara's hit, "Yes, I'm Ready" in 1979. It was a massive success, reaching 1 on the Pop charts.
Throughout the seventies, Ms. Mason appeared regularly on many national variety and talk shows such as: Soul Train, The Mike Douglas Show, Don Kirschner’s Midnight Special, and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. She also hosted her own nationally syndicated program, “Lady Love” - In Day and Night, which featured some of Soul music’s all-time legends; The Four Tops, The Spinners, The O’Jays, The Temptations and Billy Paul, filmed live in Philadelphia’s Japanese Pagoda.
In the early 80's Barbara returned to her roots in Philadelphia and signed with WMOT Records which produced the LP, “ A Piece Of My Life”, a chronicle of her career to that period and the smash, “She’s Got The Papers (But I Got The Man)". The song was an answer to Richard "Dimples" Fields' hit, "She Got Papers on Me". In 1984, Ms. Mason scored success with the huge international club favorite, "Another Man" and released the lp., "Tied Up", on the West End label. The song remains popular today on many Club DJ play lists throughout the world.
Ms. Mason throughout the 90’s toured with various Classic Soul artists and she remains extremely active on the touring circuit. In 2002, she appeared in the widely viewed PBS special, "Rhythm, Love and Soul" hosted by Aretha Franklin and Lou Rawls. Barbara appeared in Memphis, TN in December 2004, as part of the Dave Guest Holiday Extravaganza where she appeared with music legends: Martha Reeves, Kim Weston, Mel Carter, Dionne Warwick, Jerry Butler, Billy Paul, Archie Bell, Gene Chandler, Carla Thomas, Candi Staton, Freda Payne, The Box Tops, and The Doobie Brothers. Ms. Mason has also toured and shared the stage with: B.B. King, Little Milton, Art Blakey, Al Green, The Manhattans, Blue Magic, Jackie Wilson, The Impressions, Peaches and Herb, Al Wilson, The Delphonics, The Intruders, The Isley Brothers, The Turtles, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The Staple Singers, Bloodstone, The Stylistics, The Dells, Miles Davis, Four Tops, Isaac Hayes, Zapp, The Moments, Gladys Knight and The Pips, and countless other major recording artists in a career spanning four decades.
To this date Ms. Mason’s classic hit, “YES I’M READY” has been awarded for having over 3 million performances air play, by The Performing Rights Organizations, BMI. Ms. Mason also adds to her credit a commercial from Lever Brothers , for Caress Soap, which was a sponsor for the 1992 GRAMMY AWARDS, using once again her all time famous, YES I’M READY.
Barbara Mason has twelve album releases. Her songs have been recorded, covered and sampled by an array of artists from, R&B and Hip–Hop to the Pop and Jazz genres. Her music can be found on various Classic Soul and R&B compilations, as well as soundtracks for the motion pictures, "Auto Focus", and the acclaimed Indie film, ”Jesus’ Son”. She has founded her own recording label and music production company, Lioness Recordings, and Mason Media Entertainment. In addition, she has her own music publishing company, Marc James Music. In 2006, Ms. Mason graciously accepted the prestigious Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, thus cementing her place as a true living legend of Rhythm and Blues music.
Ms. Mason, Philadelphia’s First Lady of Soul continues to be a true music legend. She has performed her music nationally and internationally. From 2005 until presently, Ms. Mason has traveled to Washington, D.C. to perform her music in various venues. In 2007 she performed at The Arco Arena in Phoenix, Arizona and at The Excalibur in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has also performed in Staten Island, New York at The Annual Mahoney Park Event. She frequently travels to California to perform at venues located in Palm Springs, Los Angeles, and San Diego. She has also appeared at The Gibson Theater in San Jose, California and The Warner Theater in San Pedro, California. She has toured and performed at the Continental Clubs in New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee. In September 2008, Ms. Mason traveled to London, England to perform at The Jazz Café Club.
HI BABARA, JUST STOPPING BY TO WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A WONDERFULLY BLESSED CHRISTMAS. MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING YOU GREAT HEALTH, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY. FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO.
