Matt Mason always knew that music would someday consume his life, even from a very young age. One of Mason’s earliest musical memories was the time his family took him the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn. It was then that the young boy informed his father he would someday step foot on that very stage to perform.

Fast forward years later, Mason did in fact perform on the stage of the Mother Church of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, as a finalist on the 2012 reality singing competition, CMT’s Next Superstar. As he roamed the halls backstage that night, seeing all who have come before him, Mason’s vision of his dream was clearer than ever. After he was crowned the show’s winner, Mason made it his mission to deliver traditional music straight from his heart.

Born in Indianapolis, IN, Mason would always jump at any opportunity to sing. At age 16, while vacationing in South Florida, Mason talked his father into letting him enter a local talent show. Following his performance of his favorite country songs, Mason’s fire only grew for that lifestyle. He continued to hone his craft even further by playing regionally in his home state, opening for acts like Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, Vern Gosdin, Brian McComas and Mel McDaniel.

Once he graduated from high school in 2005, Mason packed his belongings and finally made the move to Nashville to pursue his dreams. Mason beat the streets of Music City until he finally landed himself gigs playing down on the famed Lower Broadway in popular bars such as Tootsies and the Stage. While it was fulfilling, Mason still wanted more.

When the opportunity presented itself for Mason to audition for USA Network’s country music singing competition, Nashville Star, he gave it a shot, placing in the 10 finalists selected to be showcased on the program. Mason placed fourth in the show’s 2006 season, coming in close behind winner Chris Young. However, Mason didn’t let the outcome of the show dampen his spirits. It only taught him to keep fighting for his childhood dream.

“The Nashville Star experience was a great foundation,” notes Mason. “It gave me insight to how the TV world works and it also taught me things to watch out for or stand up for when cameras are around. I learned what to be careful about.”

Mason went back to playing Lower Broadway, as he continued to network around town. The pressure to succeed got the most of Mason during that time; he entered into a dark phase, surrounding himself with drugs and alcohol. But with the help and support of his friends and family, Mason got through to the other side with plenty of life experiences to turn into music. Soon after getting back on his feet, Mason wed his long-time girlfriend, and together they started a family – daughter Ella and son Waylon.

As he entered into 2011, Mason received a phone call from the William Morris Agency in Nashville about a new singing competition they felt was right up his alley: CMT’s Next Superstar. Mason felt the opportunity could be the push he needed to break through into the world of country music, but he had his concerns.

“At first, I didn't really want to do it because it was another reality TV show, and I didn’t want to be the reality TV show guy,” Mason explains. “That's not the persona I want people to see me as ... the guy who goes from one reality show to the next. But at that point I had nothing else going on. I was playing Broadway four nights a week, and I had a family that I had to support, so I needed to make something happen.”

The decision was a wise one for Mason, as he was named the winner of the show in June of that same year. “It was a fun experience,” Mason says of his time on the show. “It was a different experience than Nashville Star was because they were showing people what artists have to go through to get ready to be in the music business. It was a good show.” Part of the prize package for Mason winning the show included the privilege of opening up the 2011 CMT Tour, featuring headliner Luke Bryan, as well as Josh Thompson and Lee Brice.

Since the show’s end, Mason has been hard at work in the studio putting together his debut album with legendary record producer, James Stroud, but hasn’t forgotten about the ones who helped put him in that position ... his loyal fans. As a special thank you his fans, Mason has released multiple six-song EPs – Chasing Stardust and America’s Favorite Pastime, both of which are available online.

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