It's been six years since then-11-year-old Illinois native Mason Ramsey caught the world's attention after a video of Ramsey yodeling Hank Williams Sr.'s classic “Lovesick Blues.” In the years since, he's proven capable of adding more musical milestones — from his song “Famous,” which reached No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2018, to Lil Nas X remixing his ” Old Town Road” next year.
Now 17, Ramsey wants to show the world that his appreciation of classical music extends far beyond the pioneering country greats like Williams. Sure, he still includes “Lovesick Blues” in his concert sets, but on his debut full-length I will see you In my dreams (out on Atlantic Records) delves into the sonically diverse, vintage sounds of the 1950s through the 1970s.
Ramsey, who splits his time between Nashville and his home in Illinois, describes his sound as “American Country Soul,” adding, “I do Americana and classic gentlemen's country with soul and combine those sounds to create the sound I love.”
The 14-song musical platter easily conveys the inspirations of artists such as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison and Ricky Nelson. Ramsey's voice has matured into a highly versatile instrument, with a warm patina that makes classic crooner material a natural musical vessel. As his sound changed, so did his aesthetic, swapping jeans and perfumed shirts for 70s-inspired suits, sometimes embroidered, with wide collared shirts, baggy trousers and the occasional scarf.
Ramsey was raised in Illinois by his grandparents, who did not have access to the internet for many years. Shortly after experiencing this sudden rush of fame, he began searching for the music of Elvis, Johnny Cash and Orbison on the internet.
“We didn't stream music, but we bought CDs,” he recalls. “I got into the music of the 50s and 60s. Then, once we had access to the internet, I found songs by artists like Elvis and [Presley’s song] “It's okay” and it all went from there.”
Earlier this year, Ramsey began working with writer-producer Dan Fernandez, known for his work with artists such as Maren Morris and Lee Brice, whose songs have been recorded by Nate Smith, Boy Named Banjo and others. Ramsey and Fernandez co-wrote all 14 songs and recorded much of the work in Fernandez's studio. When they first started working together, Ramsey had previously released a few EPs, but he says, “I felt like I was still missing my sound, like I was still searching for what moved me, sound-wise.”
In January, they spoke by phone, discussing Ramsey's influences. The next day they went into the studio and started writing songs reminiscent of that timeless style of Nelson and Presley songs.
“It made me so happy that someone understood my sound and generally helped me feel more connected to my music,” says Ramsey. “I actually ended up writing with him a few years ago, so it was great to see him again. He helped me find the musical part of what I wanted and just put the lyrics to the music.”
The work is filled with the calm, piano-based countrypolitan of 'Come Pick Me Up' and the smooth '50s vibe of 'Blue Over You', while 'All the Way to Memphis' simmers with an inspiration that feels retired. the heart at Sun Studio.
“I had spent some time with this girl,” he says of the inspiration for “All the Way to Memphis.” “She lived very close to Memphis and I got to know her quite well. Like I said, we hung out quite a bit and I really wanted to tell her what I would do to see her sing. And she talks about how I'd swim the Mississippi and run all the way to Memphis just for her. And so this song is almost just about doing whatever I can to go see her.”
Meanwhile, “The Woman From Havana” is filled with a sultry, old-school evening vibe and accented with a Latin flair.
“My producer has family from Cuba. He was playing some licks on a Spanish traditional guitar, and I thought, “Wouldn't it be nice to have a song with a guitar sound like a little spaghetti mixed with a little Spanish flavor?” We just started playing with the music and the lyrics were just painted. We made this song about this guy who is in love with this girl and he's from Havana. He just wants to dance with her and he wants to fall in love with him.”
It's not just Ramsey fans who have taken notice of his new, retro-leaning sound. Lana Del Rey brought Ramsey on stage at her Fenway Park concert to perform Ramsey's “Blue Over You” in June.
“I had 'Blue Over You' out and I posted a video of the song on my social media, and she commented and said, 'We should work together,'” Ramsey recalls. “A few months later, he invited me to Fenway and we sang 'Blue Over You' together. It was such a magical moment for me and a fun time. It's very — if you talked to her, it's almost like you've known her forever. He's just a down-to-earth, very sweet person.”
However, although Del Rey previously stated that she is going to release the country album LassoRamsey says a partnership between the two isn't in the works right now.
“That hasn't been part of the conversation yet, but hopefully in the future,” he says. “I would absolutely love it – if she put out a country album and I could have a feature on it, that would be a huge honor.”
While creating his new album, Ramsey and his producer received a request from Atlantic Records to write and record a song for Twisters soundtrack, resulting in the rocker's “Shake, Shake (All Night Long).”
“It was a huge deal,” says Ramsey. “We took a break from our album – which is great because we needed it – but we wrote the song and it only took us about, 45 minutes to an hour to write, and then we immediately pitched it to the label. It just really grooved and just had a good pocket, a high-energy kind of song.”
Notably, Ramsey's love of all things vintage extends beyond music and clothing. “I love trucks, especially older vehicles,” says Ramsey, who owns a blue-and-white 1968 Chevrolet K10 that he's restored. “I love this truck and drive it all over town.”
With tour dates in the books for his Falls Into Place tour Pt 2 trek and a batch of music he's closely associated with, he says, “I'm really excited to finally finish my first album. All these songs came together simply and easily, because we don't overthink the writing – we just write what's in our hearts and minds and put it on paper.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/mason-ramsey-album-ill-see-you-in-my-dreams-1235779932/
