Brent Mason: Session Electric Guitarist goes Acoustic

Summer NAMM ’11 – Cole Clark Guitars Brent Mason & Randy Kohrs

“2011 Summer NAMM Show where they visit the Cole Clark Guitars booth. In this segment, we get to see and hear a performance by guitarists Brent Mason and Randy Kohrs using Cole Clark Guitars Talisman acoustic and lap steel models.”

When I first saw this video I had to wonder which of these two killer musicians to focus in on.

I mean, you’re only gonna read so much right?

Well, for those of you that don’t know,

Brent Mason is/was the king session player in Nashville for many years.

Total A team musician and the main electric guitarist that got all the major session work when I was in the studios in Nashville during the 90’s.

Here’s a rundown of his career so far:

“1964 – Brent first plays his Fathers guitar. Unable to hold it properly,  he lays it down and plays it with a Butter Knife like a slide.

1968 – Brent’s Father brings home Jerry Reeds album “Nashville Underground”. This record ignites Brent’s passion for Jerry Reed and his style of playing.

1980 – Brent rivets a hole straight through his thumb nail. Brent packs up his guitar and heads for Nashville.

1983 – Gregg Galbraith helps Brent secure a regular gig at the stagecoach lounge in Nashville.

1985 – Chet Atkins, who has heard about Brent, comes to watch him play. About a month later, he brings George Benson to see him.

1985 – Brent records with Chet Atkins, Mark Knofler, George Benson, Earl Klugh and many others on Chet’s album ‘Stay Tuned’. This is Brents first master session.

1987 – Brent records with Randy Travis for the first time. This is the start of his prolific career as a session musician.

1996 – Hot Licks release ‘Brent Mason – Nashville Chops and Western Swing Guitar’ instructional video.

1997 – Signed to Mercury, Brent records ‘Hot Wired’. The album fast becomes the bench mark for  country / western swing guitar playing. The recording is nominated for a Grammy.

1999 – Brent teams up with fellow Nashville session musicians Ed Bayers Jr, Paul Franklin, John Hobbs  and Michael Rhodes to form ‘The Players’.

2003 – Valley Arts Guitars release the Brent Mason Signature, a replica of Brents heavily modified 1968  Fender Telecaster.

2006 – Brent and Brother Randy record and release ‘Smokin Section’. The album pays hommage to the music they love and demonstrates to the world the Brents diversity as a guitar player.

2008 – Wampler Pedals release the “Hot Wired Overdrive / Distortion” pedal after 18 months working  with Brent to find ‘the sound’.

2009 – Brent wins a Grammy, for best instrumental country recording with Brad Pailsey, James Burton, Vince Gill,  Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, Redd Volkaert and Steve Wariner. “ Go to Brent’s web site