Ray Mason

by Greg Prato
The quirky pop/rock outfit Ray Mason Band has been together since 1982, led by guitarist Mason (whose retro Silvertone guitar has become a sort of trademark). Also included in the band is second guitarist Tom Shea, bassist Stephen Desaulniers, and drummer Frank Marsh, who have been releasing albums steadily since the mid-90s — 1995s Between Blue and Okay, 1996s Missyouville, 1998s Old Souls Day, 1999s Castanets, and 2000s When the Clowns Work Is Over (in addition, Mason contributed songwriting to the 1997 self-titled album by Lonesome Brothers). The group began work on their next album in December of 2001, eventually resulting in Three Dollar Man, which was released in the summer of 2002.