Larry and Carl each lost their beloved mothers in these past days.

Betty Jean Mason passed away Friday, October 3rd.  She was born March 16th, 1927.
Mary Ann Ringwall Funk passed away Friday October 10th.  She was born October 28th, 1926.

We are filled with love, pride, respect, and sorrow.  The cycle of life goes on.... despite what our desires may be.





STATE OF THE UNION

6/28/08

Larry and I were talking after a show the other day, and we realized that we have been performing as Funk Mason for at least ten years now.
A bit of a revelation.
The good news, without meaning it with any kind of bravado, is we feel like we keep moving forward. A lot of positive momentum has come with the release of In an Instant, and that has translated into more energized shows and... new music. With the "new music" being tremendously important to us.
Ten years of playing with someone can create this intuitive way of responding to each other that is hard to define--hard to quantify. But, there is a weight and value to it that you come to appreciate as you keep pushing on. One of the most common things Larry and I hear at our shows is something along the line of  "You guys really blend well--how long have you known each other?" Well, we've known each other for a long time. More than the ten years we've been doing Funk Mason--in fact, going back almost 40 years. We grew up in the same small town, and shared a lot of the same world view that provides. Yes, we've blended.
There are moments in anyone's life or career that you stop and question what you are doing. Ask yourself what the rewards are compared to the effort. Funk Mason--we've had the nights that leave you on fire and anxious for the next one--and we've had the nights you file away as "an experience."
As we spoke the other day,  Larry and I agreed on something: we still feel like we're getting better at this. After all this time. Still honing it, still working it, still trying to do the best job we can do.
There are seven new songs now since In an Instant. Our plan is to keep writing, performing and recording.
Part of the challenge of life, it seems to me, is to defeat pre-conceived ideas about what you should be doing at any stage of it. Larry and I have found that there are still surprises left. And damn, we love the unpredictability of it all.
To those of you who have followed us over the years, we thank you. You have an open invitation to come share some music with us. 

--Carl

The CD release/video party at Mulleady's was a great success. We want to extend our deepest thanks to all of you who came out and participated. If you enjoy the video please point it out to family and friends. Thank you so much for making it a memorable night!

Carl Funk and Larry Mason are excited to announce the release of their CD In an Instant. The disk features ten original new tracks from Funk Mason and is available for order now.

The album is the culmination of the desire to produce an organic, acoustic piece of work that represents the core sound of the duo. No electric instruments were used. Each track consists of voices, acoustic guitars, and the occasional mandolin; very much as Funk Mason sound live. The goal was to highlight the simplicity of the songs, the thought being that a good song should be able to stand alone—without too much embellishment, or interference. 

Over half the songs on the CD were written in the last few months, and seemed to come from a similar place of spontaneity and creativity. With a few, it was as if they arrived almost “in an instant.” 

The sound is unadorned, and the production spare, but it is hoped the joy and energy of the recording process are well captured on these new tracks.

In an Instant


Funk Mason are represented by Ed Shaw Entertainment, Inc.  www.edshawentertainment.com  


    Funk Mason use UltraSound Amps