Mason Ruffner
| Mason Ruffner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 (age 63–64) Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Blues, rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, guitarist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Labels | Various including CBS, Epic and Burnside |
| Website | www |
Mason Ruffner (born 1953) is an American blues and rock singer, guitarist and songwriter. He has worked with many musicians including Bob Dylan, Daniel Lanois, Robert Ealey, Memphis Slim, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Page and Ringo Starr. From 1985 to the present, Ruffner has released six albums, including Gypsy Blood (1987) and You Can't Win (1999).
Ruffner's career has been inspired by Jimmy Reed,Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Lightnin' Hopkins and Howlin' Wolf. In addition, he has drawn influences from the literary work of the French poets, Comte de Lautréamont, Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud.
Ruffner was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in a strict Protestant home. He initially relocated to California at the age of 17, but returned to Texas in the 1970s inspired to play music. His early musical experiences included playing at Fort Worth's Bluebird Lounge, playing alongside Robert Ealey in his backing ensemble known as the Five Careless Lovers. Moving on again he arrived in New Orleans in the late 1970s, intending to travel across Europe. However he was enchanted by the music he heard there, particularly work by Smiley Lewis and Huey "Piano" Smith.
Ruffner formed the Blue Rockers and found regular employment at Club 544. There he backed visiting musicians such as John Lee Hooker and Memphis Slim. Spotted playing in 1985 by CBS Records' Tony Martell, Ruffner was offered a recording contract with the label. His debut album, Mason Ruffner (1985), was produced by Rick Derringer, and earned critical acclaim from both Rolling Stone and The New York Times. He went on to tour supporting Jimmy Page and, in 1987, released Gypsy Blood, which was produced by Dave Edmunds. The album reached No. 80 in the Billboard 200. The single, "Gypsy Blood" peaked at No. 11 in the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
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