Brent Mason on new Alan Jackson rec.

HC · March 5th, 2008, 03:12 PM

I bought the new Alan Jackson record today, it's full of great playing and great sounds from Brent and the other guys. Specially the song Long, Long Way has some great solos from everybody. A must buy IMHO.

Check it out at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jackso...09/album.jhtml

txjonc · March 5th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I like it. I know Brent has played on just about everyone's recordings coming out of Nashville but the Brent & Alan combo has always been my favorite.

Dennis68 · March 5th, 2008, 05:48 PM

I was listening to album last night. My wife is an A.J. fan and I had just finished downloading it for her onto to her iPod....

Some decent amount of tele play there.

blue water girl · March 5th, 2008, 06:19 PM

Brent just heard it himself for the first time yesterday morning - he seemed really pleased with the results. My favorite(so far since I really have only heard the first four or five) is the first song on the cd called "Good Time" - I thought Brent did some really cool and different stuff on that one while still capturing that signature sound Alan expects Brent to put on the recordings. Lots of work went into the making of that cd. The masters were all recorded last July. Brent had so many other projects going on he had to come in about ten more times in the following months to overdub by himself to get all of his parts done. It was a massive project - 17 songs are on the album. In addition to all his good tele playing he plays some really fine flattop too.

One of the songs, "Sissy's Song" was written by Alan about his family's beloved young nanny, who passed away tragically last year in a car crash. Alan had Brent come in last year (seems like it was March 2007) to do that one song so that it could be played at her funeral. It was later decided to be put on this album. It's Brent all by himself on that song with Alan doing the vocals of course. The accident happened one day and that night Brent was called and the next day after his sessions about 10pm he went to a studio where just the three of them - he and Alan and an engineer did the song while Alan was really raw and in shock over the accident. His three daughters were very bonded with her. Listening to it made me sad - it was recorded so that it could be played at her funeral the following day, a memorial from Alan and his family.

mellecaster · March 5th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Man it's Great Julie, for some of your insights on these things...that Song will now have a very Special meaning for me...really appreciate all your comments.

rockycreeker · March 5th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Thanks Julie - it's always a thrill to hear behind the scenes stuff that you are so gracious to share with us regular folks. I love stuff like this.

Thartiste · March 6th, 2008, 05:55 AM

Here in the UK Alan Jackson isn't really well known but I 'discovered' his music many years ago when CMT was still being transmitted over here and I saw the video for 'Midnight in Montgomery' I was then a country fan! Since then I've had the pleasure of recording in Nashville and I have pretty much everything Alan Jackson has recorded on CD.
As a guitar player (and a tele addict) I have always been totally knocked out by Brent's playing and style, and the new album is no exception. The only bad thing about a new Alan Jackson album is having to wait for another!

Pete

Dennis68 · March 6th, 2008, 06:12 AM

Julie, Thanks for that wonderful post with the insight to the song. I caught a recently recorded concert on either CMT or GAC where AJ mentions a brief meaning behind the song, but your desciption really gives it a full understanding. You can see Alan's emotion when he performed it.

unbridled · March 6th, 2008, 09:17 AM

Thanks for the story about the song.

I didn't realize until a couple weeks ago that Mason's tele is actually a Gibson!

blue water girl · March 6th, 2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unbridled

Thanks for the story about the song.

I didn't realize until a couple weeks ago that Mason's tele is actually a Gibson!

It's not a Gibson. It's a 1968 Fender Telecaster.

His signature model is made by Valley Arts, a division of Gibson. You will rarely if ever hear that signature model by Valley Arts on his studio work (the signature model wasn't even produced until 2004 and is for other people to buy that want a replica of Brent's guitar but Brent uses the real thing, not the copy of the real thing) - his 68 Fender Tele is nicknamed "The Moneymaker" and it goes with him everywhere.

The first two pictures are of Brent hard at work in the studio on his 1968 Fender Telecaster which he has been using since he bought it in 1983 (25 years)

The third and last are pictures of Brent with his signature model by Valley Arts in the original pewter look and also in one of the many custom finishes - sunburst. He does travel with these signature model guitars on occasion rather than put his 68 through alot of airline travel and the possibility of it getting damaged or stolen but otherwise he prefers to use his original.

GilmourD · March 6th, 2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue water girl

It's not a Gibson. It's a 1968 Fender Telecaster.

His signature model is made by Valley Arts, a division of Gibson. You will rarely if ever hear that signature model by Valley Arts on his studio work (the signature model wasn't even produced until 2004 and is for other people to buy that want a replica of Brent's guitar but Brent uses the real thing, not the copy of the real thing) - his 68 Fender Tele is nicknamed "The Moneymaker" and it goes with him everywhere.

Does he use the Valley Arts guitars as backups or does he have other Teles for that use?

lennyb · March 6th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Wow i love the insider info! i am a HUGE BRENT fan his work is truly incredible! and i have always wondered why Fender never put him on the roster ,i mean he is 1 of Nashvilles most Wanted Tele slingers and probably if not THE most recorded guy EVER!!!......P.S i am a newer guy to the community what is it you do in Nashville Julie if u dont mind me asking

blue water girl · March 6th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lennyb

Wow i love the insider info! i am a HUGE BRENT fan his work is truly incredible! and i have always wondered why Fender never put him on the roster ,i mean he is 1 of Nashvilles most Wanted Tele slingers and probably if not THE most recorded guy EVER!!!......P.S i am a newer guy to the community what is it you do in Nashville Julie if u dont mind me asking

I'm the busy busy wife of Brent Mason and mom of three girls Lauren 24, Hayley 16 and Zoe 15. I haven't worked outside the home since 1985. I do alot of administrative stuff for Brent since he doesn't have a publicist or manager, we do it all ourselves and work out of his office Brent Mason Enterprises, Inc, which is in a wing of our house. And lately, since my oldest daughter announced that she is getting married in July in our backyard

(just like "Father of the Bride" with the 250+ guests, valet parkers, huge tents, massive food catering, the works) I have also become a wedding coordinator! All our family talks about or does anymore revolves around this upcoming wedding!

HC · March 6th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the pictures and the story Julie. Makes the song and the record even more real.
I really like the look of that Valley Art, looks like a great guitar! Sadly the norwegian countryside isn't exactly full of them, would've been fun to try one out.

wvmatt26041 · March 6th, 2008, 01:09 PM

Thank you so much for the story behind the song. To me, it always means so much more when you hear the real motivation someone had for a song. When playing out, I like to do that a lot, "set up a song" - if time permits! I think it helps people connect to the song, maybe listen a little closer too.

That is exactly why people love country music, because it is real and people can connect with it at the same level as somebody like an Alan Jackson. He is the real thing and is one of the biggest because fans can spot a fake a mile away.

I am a huge fan of your Husband's work by the way!
A huge "thank you" to him for helping make the great music that gets me through each day.

GilmourD · March 6th, 2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue water girl

I'm the busy busy wife of Brent Mason and mom of three girls Lauren 24, Hayley 16 and Zoe 15. I haven't worked outside the home since 1985. I do alot of administrative stuff for Brent since he doesn't have a publicist or manager, we do it all ourselves and work out of his office Brent Mason Enterprises, Inc, which is in a wing of our house. And lately, since my oldest daughter announced that she is getting married in July in our backyard

(just like "Father of the Bride" with the 250+ guests, valet parkers, huge tents, massive food catering, the works) I have also become a wedding coordinator! All our family talks about or does anymore revolves around this upcoming wedding!

Is that you in your avatar? If so, you don't look old enough to have a 24 year old daughter.

I feel for you, though. I'm 28 and getting married in November. Wedding planning can be crazy. At least you have a nice place to have the wedding that you don't have to pay for!

blue water girl · March 6th, 2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilmourD

Is that you in your avatar? If so, you don't look old enough to have a 24 year old daughter.

I feel for you, though. I'm 28 and getting married in November. Wedding planning can be crazy. At least you have a nice place to have the wedding that you don't have to pay for!

AWWW you're sweet!

My oldest daughter is actually almost 25 and will be by the time of her wedding date. I assure you I am plenty old enough to be her mother - I was 22 when she was born. The picture in my avatar was taken of Brent and myself in June of last year. Good genetics in my family - I used to hate it when I went somewhere with my mother and people thought she was my sister. Now my daughter has the same thing happen to her when we go places.

GilmourD · March 6th, 2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue water girl

AWWW you're sweet!

My oldest daughter is actually almost 25 and will be by the time of her wedding date. I assure you I am plenty old enough to be her mother - I was 22 when she was born. The picture in my avatar was taken of Brent and myself in June of last year. Good genetics in my family - my mother passed away in 1999 in a car accident and my sweet little grandmother last May and both of them looked at least 15 years younger than they actually were - in fact I used to hate it when I went somewhere with my mother and people thought she was my sister. Now my daughter has the same thing happen to her and I love it and she not so much!

My fiance's like that. She's 32 but she looks 24. In fact, she got accused of having a fake ID once because the bouncer didn't think she was even 21. LOL

So, does Brent use the Valley Arts guitars at all?

hugo · March 6th, 2008, 04:47 PM

Who's Brent Mason? Don't throw things at me! I'm new to country music and I was wondering if someone could give me some background on him and maybe some choice listening info?? Sorry to Julie, no offense meant at all. It would be great to be turned on to someone new so feel free boys!

blue water girl · March 6th, 2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugo

Who's Brent Mason? Don't throw things at me! I'm new to country music and I was wondering if someone could give me some background on him and maybe some choice listening info?? Sorry to Julie, no offense meant at all. It would be great to be turned on to someone new so feel free boys!

all Brent's info is right here in one place - there are plenty of photos, bio, credits etc

http://www.myspace.com/thebrentmason

also to hear some of the music he has played on television scores, etc., you can listen here at -

http://soundclick.com/brentmason

Grin'n'pick · March 6th, 2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugo

Who's Brent Mason? Don't throw things at me! I'm new to country music and I was wondering if someone could give me some background on him and maybe some choice listening info?? Sorry to Julie, no offense meant at all. It would be great to be turned on to someone new so feel free boys!

You may not know him but you've heard him! Some alien from Alpha Centuri (or somewhere) claimed not to have once but it transpired he was deaf!

unbridled · March 6th, 2008, 07:24 PM

Julie,
Thanks for the info on the guitar and on Brent. I began wondering how he could have had a tele style Gibson prior to having the sig. model. It's nice to hear that you and him are doing it all yourselves and haven't been corrupted. Thanks for all the good music!
Now...... about that pickguard I want signed........

March 5th, 2008, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
HC Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 160	Brent Mason on new Alan Jackson rec. I bought the new Alan Jackson record today, it's full of great playing and great sounds from Brent and the other guys. Specially the song Long, Long Way has some great solos from everybody. A must buy IMHO. Check it out at http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/jackso...09/album.jhtml __________________ http://www.myspace.com/hanschristianhumberset

March 5th, 2008, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
txjonc Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 406 6 Photos	I like it. I know Brent has played on just about everyone's recordings coming out of Nashville but the Brent & Alan combo has always been my favorite. __________________ Pick it Moon!

March 5th, 2008, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 757	I was listening to album last night. My wife is an A.J. fan and I had just finished downloading it for her onto to her iPod.... Some decent amount of tele play there. __________________ -Dennis

March 5th, 2008, 06:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
blue water girl Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: nashville, tennessee Posts: 970	Brent just heard it himself for the first time yesterday morning - he seemed really pleased with the results. My favorite(so far since I really have only heard the first four or five) is the first song on the cd called "Good Time" - I thought Brent did some really cool and different stuff on that one while still capturing that signature sound Alan expects Brent to put on the recordings. Lots of work went into the making of that cd. The masters were all recorded last July. Brent had so many other projects going on he had to come in about ten more times in the following months to overdub by himself to get all of his parts done. It was a massive project - 17 songs are on the album. In addition to all his good tele playing he plays some really fine flattop too. One of the songs, "Sissy's Song" was written by Alan about his family's beloved young nanny, who passed away tragically last year in a car crash. Alan had Brent come in last year (seems like it was March 2007) to do that one song so that it could be played at her funeral. It was later decided to be put on this album. It's Brent all by himself on that song with Alan doing the vocals of course. The accident happened one day and that night Brent was called and the next day after his sessions about 10pm he went to a studio where just the three of them - he and Alan and an engineer did the song while Alan was really raw and in shock over the accident. His three daughters were very bonded with her. Listening to it made me sad - it was recorded so that it could be played at her funeral the following day, a memorial from Alan and his family. Last edited by blue water girl : March 6th, 2008 at 01:13 PM.

March 5th, 2008, 07:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,952 17 Photos	Man it's Great Julie, for some of your insights on these things...that Song will now have a very Special meaning for me...really appreciate all your comments. __________________ Let's Not Forget the Other 75% of The Tone Equation...It's Called an AMP

March 5th, 2008, 08:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
rockycreeker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 365	Thanks Julie - it's always a thrill to hear behind the scenes stuff that you are so gracious to share with us regular folks. I love stuff like this. __________________ Playing music is a permanent sickness

March 6th, 2008, 05:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Thartiste TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 21	Alan and Brent Here in the UK Alan Jackson isn't really well known but I 'discovered' his music many years ago when CMT was still being transmitted over here and I saw the video for 'Midnight in Montgomery' I was then a country fan! Since then I've had the pleasure of recording in Nashville and I have pretty much everything Alan Jackson has recorded on CD. As a guitar player (and a tele addict) I have always been totally knocked out by Brent's playing and style, and the new album is no exception. The only bad thing about a new Alan Jackson album is having to wait for another! Pete

March 6th, 2008, 06:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 757	Julie, Thanks for that wonderful post with the insight to the song. I caught a recently recorded concert on either CMT or GAC where AJ mentions a brief meaning behind the song, but your desciption really gives it a full understanding. You can see Alan's emotion when he performed it. __________________ -Dennis

March 6th, 2008, 09:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
unbridled Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dillon, Mt Age: 33 Posts: 105	Thanks for the story about the song. I didn't realize until a couple weeks ago that Mason's tele is actually a Gibson!

March 6th, 2008, 12:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
lennyb Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Amherst Nova Scotia Posts: 205	Wow i love the insider info! i am a HUGE BRENT fan his work is truly incredible! and i have always wondered why Fender never put him on the roster ,i mean he is 1 of Nashvilles most Wanted Tele slingers and probably if not THE most recorded guy EVER!!!......P.S i am a newer guy to the community what is it you do in Nashville Julie if u dont mind me asking

March 6th, 2008, 12:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
HC Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Norway Posts: 160	Thanks for the pictures and the story Julie. Makes the song and the record even more real. I really like the look of that Valley Art, looks like a great guitar! Sadly the norwegian countryside isn't exactly full of them, would've been fun to try one out. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/hanschristianhumberset

March 6th, 2008, 01:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
wvmatt26041 TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Butler PA Posts: 54 2 Photos	Thank you so much for the story behind the song. To me, it always means so much more when you hear the real motivation someone had for a song. When playing out, I like to do that a lot, "set up a song" - if time permits! I think it helps people connect to the song, maybe listen a little closer too. That is exactly why people love country music, because it is real and people can connect with it at the same level as somebody like an Alan Jackson. He is the real thing and is one of the biggest because fans can spot a fake a mile away. I am a huge fan of your Husband's work by the way! A huge "thank you" to him for helping make the great music that gets me through each day. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/mattscustomleather

March 6th, 2008, 04:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
hugo Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sarnia,Ontario Age: 48 Posts: 812	Who's Brent Mason? Don't throw things at me! I'm new to country music and I was wondering if someone could give me some background on him and maybe some choice listening info?? Sorry to Julie, no offense meant at all. It would be great to be turned on to someone new so feel free boys!

March 6th, 2008, 07:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
unbridled Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dillon, Mt Age: 33 Posts: 105	Julie, Thanks for the info on the guitar and on Brent. I began wondering how he could have had a tele style Gibson prior to having the sig. model. It's nice to hear that you and him are doing it all yourselves and haven't been corrupted. Thanks for all the good music! Now...... about that pickguard I want signed........