The Mastersons, husband and wife duo Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, is an American

alternative country Alternative country, or alternative country rock (sometimes alt-country, insurgent country, Americana, or y'allternative), is a loosely defined subgenre of country music and/or country rock that includes acts that differ significantly in style ...

band from

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

Career

History

Masterson and Whitmore, both Texas born, enjoyed successful careers as supporting musicians. Masterson toured with

Son Volt Son Volt is an American rock band formed in 1994 by Jay Farrar after the breakup of Uncle Tupelo. The band's current line-up consists of Farrar (vocals, guitar), Andrew DuPlantis (bass guitar), John Horton (guitar), Mark Patterson (drums), and Ma ...

, and Whitmore played fiddle for

Kelly Willis Kelly may refer to: Art and entertainment * Kelly (Kelly Price album) * Kelly (Andrea Faustini album) * ''Kelly'' (musical), a 1965 musical by Mark Charlap * "Kelly" (song), a 2018 single by Kelly Rowland * ''Kelly'' (film), a 1981 Canadia ...

. They met at a 2006 Steamboat Springs music festival, and married each other in 2009. Masterson assisted on Whitmore's solo record in 2009, and Whitmore provided harmony vocals and violin on Masterson's EP. In 2011 the duo joined

Steve Earle Stephen Fain Earle (; born January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, author, and actor. Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982. Initially working in the country music g ...

's touring band, The Dukes and Duchesses.

Releases

In 2012, the duo christened themselves "The Mastersons" and recorded their debut record, ''Birds Fly South'' which collected songs they'd written independently of each other. Supporting musicians include Mike Hardwick (pedal steel), Sweney Tidball (keyboards), George Reiff (bass), and Falcon Valdez (drums). The songs on 2014's ''Good Luck Charm'' were all co-written by the duo. The album was produced by Jim Scott (

Tom Petty Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950October 2, 2017) was an American musician who was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formed in 1976. He previously led the band Mudcrutch, was a member of the lat ...

), and they were joined by

John Ginty John Ginty (born 1972) is an American organist, keyboard player, and session musician. He was a founding member of Robert Randolph's "Family Band", and is often seen guesting with such jamband luminaries as the Allman Brothers, Santana, Govt. Mu ...

(keyboards) and Mark Stepro (drums). On their third record ''Transient Lullaby'', released in 2017,the title track reflects their constant touring, and the numerous cities they have lived in.

Personal life

Whitmore's sister is singer/songwriter/bassist Bonnie Whitmore, and the Mastersons have provided musical support on Bonnie's recordings. Whitmore's mother is an opera singer, and her father is a folk singer. Eleanor is also an accomplished pilot.

Discography

The Mastersons

;Albums * 2012: ''Birds Fly South'' (

New West New West Records is a record label based in Nashville, Tennessee, and Athens, Georgia. It had offices in Burbank, California, and Beverly Hills, California. The label was established in 1998 by Cameron Strang "for artists who perform real musi ...

) * 2014: ''Good Luck Charm'' (

) * 2017: ''Transient Lullaby'' (

) * 2020: '' No Time for Love Songs'' (

) ;Singles * 2012: "One Word More" (

) * 2014: "Closer to You" (

)

Eleanor Whitmore

* 2008: ''Airplanes'' (self-released )

Chris Masterson

* 2008: ''The Late Great Chris Masterson'' (self-released)

The Whitmore Sisters

* 2022: ''Ghost Stories'' (self-released )

References

External links

The Mastersons home pageNew West Records – The Mastersons page
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Deer Tick (Band) American alternative country groups Musical groups from New York (state) Musical groups established in 2012 New West Records artists 2012 establishments in New York (state)