It’s fair to say that the world of bluegrass music is in an unprecedented phase. Thanks to numerous pickers and players, the storied genre has been re-packaged and introduced originally and unexpectedly. However, it still upholds the traditions we all know and love. One player helping amplify this mass resurgence is former Old Crow Medicine Show member and Grammy nominee, Mason Via.
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Hailing from North Carolina, bluegrass has surrounded Mason Via from a young age. It is seemingly his comfort zone, and that’s thanks to his upbringing alongside his bluegrass award-winning songwriter father, David Via, who “encouraged [him] to write songs and to play original music.” Via’s career has now transitioned into a fresh new phase, and that is thanks to his new self-titled album, Mason Via, which was released on April 25, 2025.
Mason Via Opens up About OCMS Departure & Major Career Transition
By no means is Mason Via defined by his time with the decorated bluegrass group, Old Crow Medicine Show. However, his time with the band and his departure from them mark a major career milestone. That being said, roughly a year ago, Via decided to split ways with the band and go solo. Concerning his transition, Via said that “it’s been a lot of kind of scrambling to pick up all the pieces. Trying to make something happen, kind of out of the blue.”
As confusing as this transition seemingly has been, Mason Via is beyond thankful for it, as he can now do his “own thing.” Needless to say, Via is beyond grateful for his time with OCMS. However, his departure and solo career have given him a newfound creative liberation.
“I don’t have to, you know, fit within the Old Crow mold of what brand they are and what kind of works for them,” he continued. “I can create my own sound that’s original to me, and be able to put these songs out that I like, that, honestly, we’re also influenced by being at Old Crow, but they have their own flavor, too.”
Per his comments, Old Crow Medicine Show deeply influenced their former bandmate. Though now, Via is the master of his sound, and it shines in the brightest of ways on his new album.
A Cohesive Body of Work Filled With Cross-Genre Inspiration
As stated previously, bluegrass is in an unprecedented phase of its life, and Mason Via’s new album helps add to that notion. The album certainly contains the traditionalism that bluegrass fans are familiar with, but it also draws on some diverse and colorful inspiration.
Produced by Via’s friend and the album’s mandolin player, Aaron Ramsey, Via’s cohesive body of work includes inspirations ranging from psychedelic to pop music. However, that old bluegrass feeling is still certainly present on his track “Oh Lordy Me”, which features legendary pickers Ronnie Bowman and Junior Sisk. The sound of the song is the sound of Via’s childhood, hence, he “wanted it to sound like a dang big old bluegrass party.” He achieved that seamlessly.
Don’t think this is just another bluegrass album. It really isn’t. And two of Via’s songs attesting to the contrary are “Melt In The Sun” and “Fireball”. Via initially wrote “Melt In The Sun” for his psychedelic side project, though he reimagined it into what you can now listen to on the album. The same goes for the single “Fireball”, which Via envisioned being a pop country song he would pitch on Music Row in Nashville. However, thanks to the personal relevancy behind the song, he just couldn’t give it up.
“Long story short, it’s like it’s a bunch of love songs, man,” Via said. “It’s all unique. It just shows cases, all my different emotions in different ways.”
Via’s short summary is right on the money, as his love songs will surely make you love his music. Listen to Mason Via’s self-titled album now and check out his website for his current tour details.
Photo via Ashli Linkous
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