Everyone in Aspen knows the famous Bobby Mason and his fabulous music. But how many know Bobby Mason's theatrical attributes? Now you can see, or rather hear, Bobby as he plays the voice of Audrey II, the fast-growing plant in "Little Shop of Horrors" put on by Theatre Aspen.

It's quite interesting how Bobby came to be Audrey II's voice. The production was auditioning in New York and Bob Finnie, music director suggested that Bobby might be the perfect voice for Audrey II. He invited Theatre Aspen Artistic Director Paige Price and her husband, Broadway sound designer Nevin Steinberg, to hear Bobby play and they loved what they saw.

"We were in Aspen auditioning for the season and noticed Bobby was singing at Smoke, so we went to dinner and quietly 'auditioned' him. I didn't say hello because I didn't want him to be self-conscious, but I thought he was perfect for Audrey II," says Price. "He's been such a great trooper as well, joining the Theatre Aspen float for the July 4th parade and recording the "Little Shop" commercial for us."

Playing music on stage and performing as an actor both take preparation.

"I do a voice warm-up because of the wide range required for the voice," says Mason. "Next is just getting my head around becoming a plant. I try to raise the bar a notch for each evening's performance."

Even though Bobby is an experienced Audrey II, having performed it with Aspen Community Theatre some 10 years ago, there are some differences this time around.

"It's a life experience that I really enjoy doing again," he says. "I have more confidence because I now know that I can do it. It's also very important to me that people I respect wanted me to do it. In 'Little Shop of Horrors,'  I have to be consistently 'on.' There's no room for ad libs. When I'm playing music I can be different every time I perform."

Mason has great respect for the entire production. The director, Mark Martino, was particular about the pronunciation of each word. He was also the choreographer, which Bobby says was a terrific process to watch come together on stage. The cast includes some terrific locals: Tom Erickson, former Crystal Palace star who plays several characters quite well and Lee Sullivan is the plant puppeteer, a role he also created for Aspen Community Theatre's production.

One of my fondest Bobby Mason stories was when John Sommers and Bob Finnie organized a valley band and chorus when the Olympic torch relay came to Aspen. Bobby sang "America" and I don't think there was a dry eye in the crowd.

"I have to say that this was one of the high points of my life," Mason says. "To look out in every direction into the sea of people was mind-boggling. To see that many people, who I consider part of my music family, singing and playing behind me was very special. When I sang 'America' I looked up on the mountains and said, 'this is a perfect moment.' I wanted to sing that song since I consider Ray Charles a mentor. I use his intonation and some day would love to do a Ray Charles tribute."

For a man who has made so many successes, I wondered what he may do next

"I'm writing songs with J.D. Martin, Jan Garrett and others," he smiles. "I also want to do a Bobby Mason show."

So for all you Bobby Mason music lovers, he's doing weddings, special events and Snowmass Wine Festival in September. Check out bobbymason.com for his music itinerary.

"One of my dreams is that someone will see me doing Audrey II and ask me to do a voice-over for them. I like to keep my options open and love the opportunity to stretch personally with each new adventure. I'm happy and living my dream," he says.

Bobby Mason returns to Cedaredge stage on April 28

Published April 25, 2007

By Bob Borchardt
Delta County Independent Staff Writer

A favorite for area concert goers, guitarist/vocalist Bobby Mason, returns to the AppleShed in Cedaredge on Saturday, April 28, beginning at 7 p.m.

Mason has performed many times in the area, including performances at the AppleShed, the Blu Sky Saloon and during AppleFest. He has proven himself to be an extremely popular performer among local music lovers.

Mason has a long and distinguished career. He has performed with such notables as Kenny Loggins, Buddy Miles, John Oates, Bo Diddley, Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogelberg, New Grass Revival, various members of The Eagles, Dave Mason, and John  Denver. Mason is among those listed in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Anthology. 

Mason is currently working on four new projects including an album of poets from the Roaring Fork Valley, the proceeds of which will benefit world hunger and the Africa Project.  Mason is also composing music for Gary Crabtree’s new film, “Fixing Tom.”

Mason moved from Aspen to California, where he has opened his own recording studio in Paradise. He continues to create extraordinary music, but often returns to Aspen and other Colorado venues to perform.

With songs like “Carol,” “Hand Jive,” “Feels Like Rain,” “St. James Infirmary Blues,” “Nadine,” “Locals Dance,” “Sick and Tired,” “No Expectations,” “Stagger Lee,” “Equal Opportunity Blues,” “I Wish It Would Rain and Rollin”, Mason is sure to have something to please everyone.

Local favorites Roy Martin and David Starr will be performing with Mason. This promises to be another one of those performances that you won’t want to miss.

Bobby Mason bids Aspen adieu        

By Scott Condon
March 29, 2005

(Reprinted by permission of The Aspen Times)
 

After 36 years in Aspen, it was time for Bobby Mason to play a different tune yesterday.

Mason, one of the best-known musicians in the Roaring Fork Valley, packed his car and headed back to California.

"I think I've taken it about as far as I can in Aspen," he said during an interview on his cell phone while driving away on Highway 82.

The popular, outgoing and easygoing Mason moved to Aspen from California in 1969. During his nearly four decades in town, Mason brushed with big-time recording success with the group Starwood and performed tirelessly. Mason was legendary for volunteering to play at the seemingly never-ending benefits for people and causes.

He said a number of factors led to his decision to leave. Among them is the changing music scene: Gigs are getting fewer and the pay ain't exactly great.

"The pay is about the same as when I came in 1969," he said.

Mason said the local live-music scene is at one of the lowest levels it's been since he's lived here. He suspects many places no longer have the money to hire a band because they are scraping by to pay the rent.

"The whole town feels pretty corporate right now," said Mason, noting decisions that affect the music scene are being made by business people living far away who are concerned most about the bottom line.

"Bean counters in Nebraska don't know about the heart and soul of the town," he said.

Mason said he did a "little bit of that, a little bit of this" as far as work while living in Aspen, but for the most part he made a living as a professional rock 'n' roll musician. With that becoming increasingly difficult, he thought he would try something new.

"He puts his heart and soul into his music," said his longtime friend Sandy Munro, a musician and owner of the Great Divide music store. "He plays it like he means it and he means it."

But Munro said his best recollection of Mason has nothing to do with music. He recalled that several musicians created a fund, the Danielle Forde Foundation, to help locals in some type of need. The foundation was named after the daughter of Dan Forde, another longtime local musician.

Mason allegedly used the fund to seek treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, according to Munro. When Munro learned Mason had drained the fund of about $10,000, he called Mason and yelled at him.

A short time later, Mason drove to Munro's store, burst in with tears streaming down his face and asked, "What do I have to do, Sandy, leave this town to get help?"

Munro said he didn't give Mason any more grief about using the funds although he still didn't like it. But since that time roughly 15 years ago, Munro said, the investment has been repaid many times over. Mason always made himself available, day or night, to help people in need of treatment.

Aspen's changing music scene isn't the only reason for Mason's departure. He said it was just time for a change and a new chapter in his life.

Mason recently split with his wife, Peggy. Plus the altitude was starting to get to him. Mason never learned to ski, despite living in a ski town for 36 years. His desire to stick around is a testament, he said, to a great mountain town and great people.

Now Mason yearns to get back to the ocean and walk the beaches. He grew up in Bellflower, Calif. He is going to spend time with his 85-year-old mother, then probably head to Hollywood.

He is also moving his Rock Room Studio to the Joshua Tree area of California, where his son already operates a recording studio.

It's fitting that Mason's last performance was on Aspen Mountain at the sunrise service for Easter, a time of renewal. Mason said some, but not all of his friends knew he was leaving. "You just can't say goodbye to everybody," he said. "No one should take it personally."

People can contact him through his website, bobbymason.com, and also learn more there about his musical career. Among the highlights he describes is touring with Starwood and opening for musicians and bands like The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Santana, Journey and Eddie Money.

He recently released a solo album called "Laid Back, Up Front."

Mason said he really doesn't have definitive plans for what he's going to do in California, but he's OK with that.

"I think I'm more excited than scared," he said.

Scott Condon's e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com