Mason & Weed: Ireland to Appalachia in Music ~ September 16, 2016

Mason Weed hi res

John Weed and Stuart Mason have been working up a batch of new tunes and songs for a new album project, their first recording as a duo, that they will showcase at this house concert. So far, material for the project ranges from early American ballads and songs newly composed by their peers to beautiful melodies with Celtic and Nordic roots. They will remain true to their love of American old timey music and Irish trad while expanding the repertoire with tunes and songs that reflect their life long love of traditional music from all eras and all regions. The audience can expect a few surprises along with some familiar favorites, and maybe even a singalong or a humorous party piece dating back to the minstrel era. Along with brand new pieces, this concert will showcase material from the new Molly’s Revenge album “Lift” as well as songs from the lively repertoire of Little Black Train and from Stuart’s two solo albums.

John and Stuart perform compelling tunes and traditional ballads that explore the connections between Ireland and America and beyond, both ancient and modern. On fiddle, guitar, mandola, and banjo they bridge the Atlantic to summon toe-tapping, dancing-in-your-seat musical magic that resonates with every audience.

An accomplished traditional-style fiddler, John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the regional styles of Clare and Donegal. The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that compliments his forays into bluegrass, Appalachian, swing, and Scandinavian music. A classically trained violinist, John leverages his understanding of the instrument to coax emotion from every tune. He has returned to Ireland many times to hone his skills and collect tunes at their source.

Stuart Mason was born in the hills of West Virginia, grew up in Cincinnati, and later returned to West Virginia where he traveled around the state learning firsthand the oldest forms of Appalachian music. He is known for his authentic vocals, driving backing on guitar and mandola in alternate tunings, and inability to hold his whiskey. On banjo he plays in the older clawhammer and two-finger styles. Stuart has won awards for traditional singing (Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention), mandola (Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest), and songwriting (West Coast Songwriter’s Association). He has been playing traditional music on stage for over 40 years.

Stuart Mason and John Weed are members of the well-known Celtic powerhouse Molly’s Revenge and have appeared on festival stages throughout the western United States as well as Glasgow, Scotland and Shanghai, China.

House Concert Details

SLO House Concerts are by invitation and reservation only. Please click here to contact us to request an invitation and indicate how many seats you would like to reserve. We will then send you an email with directions and other helpful information.

7:00pm show: Doors open at 6:30pm. Concert starts at 7:00pm.
Suggested donation: $20. ALL of the money goes to the performers.