Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2013, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from A.J. Masters, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 13 January 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to A.J. Masters who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
A.J. Masters
This quote was submitted on Sunday 13 January 2013.
‘Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) said ‘Before there were ProTools, there were Pros’.
Gene Watson is most definitely one of those Pros’
Thank you, A.J. Masters, for your support of Gene Watson.
About A.J. Masters…
A.J. Masters was born Arthur John Masaracchia in Walden, New York on Wednesday 20 December 1950, not too far from the Hudson River, but grew up in Southern California, in Compton, a community of many minorities.
A.J. Masters recalls his contemporaries as largely made up of ‘Dustbowl kids and grandkids from Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas’; it was a truly American mix.
At the age of fourteen, A.J. Masters began playing bass guitar in his brother’s band, ‘The Hustlers’, who played parties, covered songs by The Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Zombies, The Animals and other popular bands of the era.
At the age of sixteen, A.J. Masters picked up the guitar and began writing his own songs, folk-rock tunes with a bluesy edge.
A.J. Masters’ songwriting would be vital to his career as an artist.
In 1978, drummer Mickey Jones (of Kenny Rogers’ First Edition fame) gave A.J. Masters his first cut when he recorded ‘I’m No Cowboy’, which A.J. Masters had co-written with Dan Hudson.
In the 1980s, A.J. Masters signed with an independent record label, Bermuda Dunes Records, and within three years had ten charted singles.
In 1986, A.J. Masters was voted ‘Independent Male Vocalist of The Year’ and was nominated by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) for ‘Best New Male Vocalist’.
In 1987, A.J. Masters performed on the New Faces Show with Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakum, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989), and Sweethearts of The Rodeo.
In the 1990s, A.J. Masters played acoustic guitar for the great Charlie Rich (Wednesday 14 December 1932 – Tuesday 25 July 1995), and he continued writing.
A.J. Masters’ songwriting was honoured with the BMI Millionaire Award for ‘Change My Mind’, a multi-platinum award for ‘Love Ain’t Like That’ (recorded by Faith Hill) and an ‘Independent Song of The Year’ Award for ‘We’re Here To Stay’.
In 1992, Kimberly Rhodes (prior to her becoming a part of Little Big Town) recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Page 25′ (co-written with Jason Blume) and A.J. Masters’ ‘Nine Lives’ (co-written with Janis Leibhart).
A.J. Masters is a lifetime member of NSAI and, since 1984, he had his songs recorded by an acclaimed group of artists, including Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio, John Berry, The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Rich Junior, Ronna Reeves, Gene Watson, Ray Scott, Zona Jones, Steve Azar, Jo-El Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024), Frazier River Band, Jennifer Hanson, Georgia Middleman, Nash3, Waymore Outlaws, Jara Johnson, Mary Fletcher, Jerry Lansdowne and R.W. Hampton.
In 2005, Ray Scott recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Makin’ My Way’ (co-written with Phillip Moore and Ray Scott) and included the track on ‘My Kind of Music’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2005); A.J. Masters played acoustic guitar on most of the tracks, and also played bass on the track, ‘Makin’ My Way’.
Amazingly, in the midst of all his writing, playing and singing, A.J. Masters made time to contribute his songs and his talents to Michelle’s Angels Foundation.
Music Director Ken Harrell brought A.J. Masters into the fold and he played the Foundation’s first benefit concert at The Bluebird in Nashville on Monday 17 September 2005, along with Ken Harrell, Greg Johnson and Tonya Rose as they performed a private Hope Concert for Michelle Knoll.
In the Winter of 2011, Michelle’s Angels Foundation named A. J. Masters ‘The Michelle’s Angels Foundation Featured Angel Artist’.
Terry Brown recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Cowgirls Make The Rules’ (co-written with Terry Brown) and included the track on ‘It’s A Cowboy Thang’ (THB Records, 2012); the track was Terry Brown’s new single at the time.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in January 2013, A.J. Masters was producing and playing guitar in the studio and performing at songwriter shows, festivals and house concerts throughout the United States. And, he had a family, with whom he lived on a small farm just outside Nashville.
It was also at this time, in early 2013, when A.J Masters produced an album for Texas artist, Scott Vance, and produced new album projects for both Mary Fletcher and DJ Miller. And, A.J. Masters also played acoustic guitar on a radio tour with Cotton Valley Records artist Mark Cooke.
On Monday 12 January 2015, following a battle with prostate cancer, A.J. Masters passed away.
A.J. Masters – Songwriter Extraordinaire!
Jerry Lansdowne recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Plenty of Love’ and included the track on ‘Travel Light’ (Step One Records, 1990).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Change My Mind’ (co-written with Jason Blume) and included the track on ‘Unstoppable’ (RCA Records, 1991); the track reached No.70 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Randy Travis recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘An Old Pair of Shoes’ (co-written with Jerry Foster and Johnny Morris) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits: Volume 1’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
Roger Ballard recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Two Step In The Right Direction’ (co-written with Don Goodman) and included the track on ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ (Atlantic Records, 1993); the track reached No.68 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
Roger Ballard recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Sloe Movin’ Storm’ (co-written with Don Goodman and Jerry Hawkins) and included the track on ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ (Atlantic Records, 1993).
Ronna Reeves recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘After The Dance’ (co-written with Bob Regan and Tommy Rocco) and included the track on ‘After The Dance’ (Polygram Records, 1995).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘What Are We Waiting For’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘As Long As Harley Gets To Play’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘You Don’t Even Have To Try’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996); this track was co-produced by Steve Azar and A.J. Masters.
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Someday’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Thunderbird’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Tommy Rocco) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Dreams of A Dancer’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Caught Between The Rock & The Roll’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Don Goodman) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Love Had No Right’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Tony Marty) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar’s ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996) also included ‘Heartbreak Town’ (written by Roger Murrah, Steve Azar and Bob Regan) and ‘Nights Like This’ (written by Steve Azar and Bob Regan).
Personnel involved in the recording of Steve Azar’s ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Glen Duncan (guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (pedal steel guitar)
Greg Leisz (electric guitar, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
A.J. Masters (Arthur John Masaracchia) (Wednesday 20 December 1950 – Monday 12 January 2015) (acoustic guitar, bass guitar, background vocals)
Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond B-3 organ)
Johnny Neal (piano)
Bob Regan (electric guitar)
Michael Rhodes (bass guitar)
Brent Rowan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
John Berry recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Change My Mind’ (co-written with Jason Blume) and included the track on ‘Faces’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1996); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Frazier River – Danny Frazier (lead vocals, guitar), Chuck Adair (guitar), Greg Amburgy (keyboards, guitars, background vocals), Brian ‘Gigs’ Baverman (drums), Jim Morris (keyboards, background vocals) and Bob Wilson (background vocals, bass guitar) – recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Last Request’ (co-written with Mark Alan Springer) and included the track on ‘Frazier River’ (Decca Records, 1996); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, but it did not chart.
Jo-El Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024) recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘We’re Here To Stay’ (co-written with Don Goodman and Jo-El Sonnier) and included the track on ‘Here To Stay’ (Intersound Records, 1998).
Faith Hill recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Love Ain’t Like That’ (co-written with Tim Gaetano) and included the track on ‘Faith’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in April 1999.
Diamond Rio recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘The Love of A Woman’ (co-written with Mark Alan Springer and Thomas Cain) and included the track on ‘One More Day’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2001).
Gene Watson recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘She Had Me’ (co-written with Tommy Rocco) and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Georgia Middleman recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘No Place Like Home’ (co-written with Karyn Rochelle) and included the track on ‘Endless Possibilities’ (Giant Records / Warner Bros. Records, 2001).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Goin’ To Beat The Devil (To See My Angel Tonight)’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Johnny Douglas) and included the track on ‘Waitin’ On Joe’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2002).
Jennifer Hanson recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Half A Heart Tattoo’ (co-written with Jennifer Hanson and Michael P. Heeney) and included the track on ‘Jennifer Hanson’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2003).
Jennifer Hanson recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘All Those Yesterdays’ (co-written with Jennifer Hanson and Michael P. Heeney) and included the track on ‘Jennifer Hanson’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2003).
Gene Watson recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘New Woman’ (co-written with Michael Henney and Clint Daniels) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Ray Scott recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Makin’ My Way’ (co-written with Phillip Moore and Ray Scott) and included the track on ‘My Kind of Music’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2005); A.J. Masters played acoustic guitar on most of the tracks, and also played bass on the track ‘Makin’ My Way’.
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘The Coach’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Neal Coty) and included the track on ‘Indianola’ (Dang Records, 2008).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘I’ll Find Me’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Tony Colton) and included the track on ‘Slide On Over Here’ (Ride Records, 2009).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘All I Need’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Philip Moore) and included the track on ‘Slide On Over Here’ (Ride Records, 2009).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Moo La Moo’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Jim Femino) and included the track on ‘Slide On Over Here’ (Ride Records, 2009).
Steve Azar recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Sweet Delta Dreams’ (co-written with Steve Azar and Tony Colton) and included the track on ‘Slide On Over Here’ (Ride Records, 2009).
Zona Jones recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Two Hearts (One Love)’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Prove Me Right’ (Rocky Comfort Records, 2009).
Jara Johnson recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘That’s What I Call Home’ (co-written with Jara Johnson and Jesse Terry) and included the track on ‘That’s What I Call Home’ (Ten Thirty-Seven Records, 2009).
R.W. Hampton recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Back Home’ (co-written with Jerry Lansdowne) and included the track on ‘Austin To Boston’ (R.W. Hampton Self Release, 2010).
Mary Fletcher recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Christmas Is Here’ (co-written with Mary Fletcher) and included the track on ‘Christmas Is Here’ (CD Baby, 2010).
Terry Brown recorded A.J. Masters’ ‘Cowgirls Make The Rules’ (co-written with Terry Brown) and included the track on ‘It’s A Cowboy Thang’ (THB Records, 2012).
Arthur John Masaracchia, who was known professionally as AJ Masters, passed away on Monday 12 January 2015, following a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
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