The Mastersons

The Mastersons

The Mastersons are a Brooklyn, New York-based American alternative country duo made up of Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore. Active since 2012, they work as a husband-and-wife group and are also described as a band rather than simply a duo.

Background

Chris Masterson is from Houston, Texas, and Eleanor Whitmore is from Denton, Texas. Both are long-established musicians who spend years playing with other artists before forming The Mastersons. Whitmore begins playing fiddle at four, grows up performing in her family band with her sister Bonnie, and studies with Texas swing musician Johnny Gimble. Masterson plays blues in Houston clubs from the age of 13 and develops as a student of Big Walter Price and T-Bone Walker.

The two meet in 2005. Before establishing The Mastersons, Whitmore releases a solo album, Airplanes, in 2008, and Masterson issues an EP, The Late Great Chris Masterson. They then start writing and singing together, and the songs develop into a full band sound rather than a simple song-swap format.

Music and recordings

The Mastersons’ debut album, Birds Fly South, appears on New West Records and is co-produced in Texas with a core group that includes engineer Steve Chrisensen, bassist George Reiff and drummer Falcon Valdez. The album is noted for its mix of rock, pop, blues and country influences, with bright melodies set against darker lyrics, as well as inventive harmonies and a prominent blend of strings and twang. Whitmore plays guitar, violin, mandolin and other string instruments, while the pair often sing together into one microphone to capture their harmonies.

Their sound is described as a blend that creates a distinct “third voice” when they sing together. Their work is associated with alternative country, americana and folk, with wider links to folk rock, indie, rock and alt-country.

Work with other artists

Before and alongside The Mastersons, both musicians work extensively with other artists. Whitmore performs with Regina Spektor, Susan Gibson, Kelly Willis, Diana Ross and Will Hoge among others. Masterson plays in the bands of Jack Ingram, Son Volt and Bobby Bare Jr. In May 2011, they join Steve Earle’s group, The Dukes and Duchesses, and remain part of his band.

They also tour internationally with Earle, where their performances attract strong notices, and Earle is described as speaking highly of their musical partnership. Their playing with him is presented as an important part of their development as performers.