Dave Mason ~ Unplugged

There’s very little that Rock & Rock Hall of Famer, Dave Mason hasn’t influenced on the music scene.  From his early days with the hit band Traffic to his incredibly popular solo career, Dave Mason has taken the world by storm with his brilliant writing and recording on hits such as “Feelin’ Alright” and “We Just Disagree.” Now it’s Dave Mason up close and personal, trading licks with his lifetime friend and guitarist Johnne Sambataro, for an unplugged and intimate jam session.

Born in Worcester, England, Dave Mason began playing guitar and singing at the age of 16. A year later, Dave would form his first band, The Jaguars, and shortly after join The Hellions, where he met his future band member and friend Jim Capaldi. After Jim introduced Mason to musicians Steve Winwood and Chris Wood, the four eager young talented musicians teamed up to create Traffic, the rock and roll sensation that would launch them into stardom. The group received immediate success with the release of their first single “Paper Sun” followed by Dave Mason’s “Hole in My Shoe,” which hit #2 on the Billboard charts in the U.K. Despite their success, Mason quit the band in 1967, moving to the United States and exploring his future as a solo artist. Dave would rejoin the group during their first tour in the U.S., but the band broke apart shortly afterwards. 

Dave Mason was then able to completely devote himself to his solo career and pursuing other artistic opportunities. During a number of initial recording sessions, Mason released a single, “World in Changes,” followed by a full album, entitled Alone Together. The release went gold and reached the top 25 in the charts, with the single “Only You and I Know” becoming a top 40 hit. Dave Mason was also one of the original members of the famous Derek and the Dominos that would later include the legendary musicians Eric Clapton and Duane Allman. In 1994, Mason joined the new lineup of Fleetwood Mac. After a 20 year hiatus, Dave Mason released his latest solo album, 26 Letters, 12 Notes, in 2008. 

As a highly talented guitarist in the midst of a growing rock and roll scene, Mason had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest and best musicians of all time. Along with his professional work as a band member, Dave Mason has played and recorded alongside the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and Eric Clapton. Dave has been somewhat of a regular at the Lyric, returning for high-powered, sold-out performances nearly every season. This performance offers something never before seen in downtown Stuart, as Dave Mason performs some of his biggest hits without the backing of his regular band. Mason and Johnne will perform their regular repertoire with a raw, personal twist for a once in a lifetime show.