This is a tale of sticking to it. I first met Chris Masterson a decade or so ago, when he was playing guitar for Jack Ingram. He rocked back then, and I always looked forward to seeing him on stage for his swagger and chops. Of late, he and his wife Eleanor Whitmore have been touring as part of Steve Earle’s Dukes and Duchesses, which is a really special show that I recommend seeing if you get the chance. They are playing New Orleans Jazz and Heritage today at 4:15 CT. Lucky you if you are there! Of course, Steve is one of the amazing folks on the New West Records roster, and happily one thing led to another. New West Records has just released an album last month from The Mastersons called Birds Fly South.

Photo Credit: Paul Robert WrightThe Mastersons are both from Texas, but call New York home now. They recorded the album in Austin and drove down with all that was dear to them in the car. They took a path traced by snowbirds since the highways of America were first built. Just because they are a couple performing together, don’t pigeonhole them as some sort of modern day George and Tammy. Instead, think of them as a band. I gotta hand it to them, both are consummate musicians with mad skills and lots of ideas, and the creativity bubbles over on their new CD. We had them come visit the Spring Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ, and they brought Pete Coatney on drums and Eleanor’s sister, Bonnie Whitmore on bass. Here is the Music Fog version of the title track, “Birds Fly South.”

- Jessie Scott

PS: You can watch New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, as it is being streamed on YouTube.