Adam Masterson

Born in London, England, the gifted singer-songwriter mastered the guitar on his own and began composing original material by age 16. Entering the business during his late teens, he performed with multiple groups across the London scene yet encountered difficulty securing a deal for his roots-rock songs. Stepping forward as a solo performer, his demo tapes on the independent Volume Records imprint drew interest from Gravity, a BMG offshoot. Renewed enthusiasm for singer-songwriters at the turn of the millennium worked in his favor, leading to a U.S. tour opening for Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics. For his debut album in 2003, Masterson enlisted associates of Van Morrison, among them producer Mick Glossop and seasoned players Kate St. John and Richie Buckley. Released as One Tale Too Many, the record sat comfortably beside the wave of folk-rock and alt-country releases fronted by Ryan Adams, though some reviewers found its echoes of classic Morrison too pronounced; even so, Masterson’s gifts for songcraft and vocals stood clear on highlights such as “What Yesterday Brings” and “Sunlight Song.”