Two versions of the same song -- with all proceeds going to support Louisville Folk School. Louisville Folk School's mission is to engage the folk music traditions of Kentuckians through education and performance and build on the rich cultural history of the bluegrass state, while creating community through the arts. You can learn more about LFS at
louisvillefolkschool.org
Mason was born and raised in the musically rich Gulf Coast, splitting time between Louisiana and Texas, After moving to Kentucky, he picked up a banjo and started making music. A founding member of The Jarflies stringband, Mason is now writing songs that blend his love of Acadiana, the Bluegrass, and Texas songwriters like Guy Clark, Jolie Holland, Lyle Lovett, and Danny Barnes. His debut full-length record Showing Through features fellow Lexingtonian Cecilia Wright (Bear Medicine), Montana Hobbs of The Local Honeys, and former keyboardist for The Judds/Exile Lee Carroll.
Along with his solo work, Scott Whiddon performs with Letters of Acceptance, Sister Ray (an all Velvet Underground collaborative/covers project), and other projects. Scott’s instrumental/postrock band, Archipelago, released two full-length albums during the pandemic; both were featured in online experimental listening events such as “Sounds of the Pandemic”/Università degli Studi di Firenze and “A Zoom of One’s Own”/Oregon State University/Soundbox 4. Scott has shared stages with artists ranging from Jerry Joseph to Elf Power. From 2012-2016, he served as music director for the Harry Dean Stanton Fest while developing grant-supported film scores for Richard Knox Robinson and Brian Frye. His recent single, “The Ballad of Chris Bell” (also produced by Hnatow), was praised by writers such as Holly Warren-George and Rich Tupica for its depiction of Memphis music in the 1970s.
Both versions of “Melody Please” were produced, engineered, and mixed by J. Tom Hnatow, a multi-instrumentalist who has recorded with Horse Feathers, The Mynabirds, These United States, Ringo Starr, and more. Hnatow helped create two significantly different versions of the same song -- one leaning toward Americana roots, the other with an Elliott Smith-esque pop sheen. Both versions feature Robby Cosenza (Horse Feathers, These United States, Ringo Starr, Vandaveer) on percussion, harmonica, and backing vocals.
Cover art by Lexington, KY photographer Jo Mackby.
Louisville Folk School offers a variety of private lessons -- ranging from African drumming to traditional banjo to country lead guitar and fiddle sessions with Jesse Wells (Tyler Childers), banjo with The Local Honeys’ Montana Hobbs, and more -- as well as online and in-person events to help support music making in Kentucky. LFS supports students of all ages and abilities, with respect and care for music education as an artistic practice.