I am pleased to announce that Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam will be appearing at the Lowell Summer Music Series on Saturday, July 18! He last appeared at the Series several years ago, and I am excited about his return!

“Join Dave Mason for an evening of music history as he retraces the earliest days of his career with Traffic and the works that launched his successful solo career.  The show is much more than a concert; it’s an extraordinary two act multi-media presentation full of stories, images and music from his years with Traffic (Dear Mr. Fantasy, Feelin’ Alright, You Can All Join In, Pearly Queen, Medicated Goo and others), as well as the hits and important songs that formed his solo career (Only You Know and I Know, We Just Disagree, World In Changes, All Along The Watchtower and more).

Dave Mason (Official Photo by Chris Jensen)

“Dave Mason is a living rock legend. At age 18, the Worcester England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic, which had a profound effect on the genre of rock and roll. While still a teen, Mason penned the Traffic hit “Feeling’ Alright”. The song became a global rock anthem and has been recorded by dozens of artists including Joe Cocker, who had a huge international hit with the song. It remains a highlight of Mason’s live shows today.

“Dave Mason’s work and career remain linked with numerous other members of rock and roll elite, including Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Rita Coolidge, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, Ron Wood, Jim Capaldi, Mama Cass Elliot and The Spencer Davis Group. His career spans several important rock eras, and encompasses his work as a producer, performer, songwriter, and consummate guitarist. In 2004, Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the groundbreaking group Traffic.

“Mason is also involved in the program he co-founded, Work Vessels for Veterans (WVFV); an all-volunteer movement that provides veterans with the tools they need to transition to civilian work. Mason is also an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a non-profit organization that provides free musical instruments and lessons to children in public schools throughout the United States.”

Tickets for the Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam show are priced at $31 in advance (fee-free!), $35 on the day of the show (if available) and children 12 and under are always free courtesy of Eastern Bank. There are also premium seats – beach chairs are provided by the Series – set in two rows directly in front of the stage for $131.  Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 2 at 9 a.m., through Lowell Summer Music Series.

For those of you who are unaware of the  Series, or if you are aware of it but have never attended a show there, it is an outdoor (weather permitting) concert series held on National Park Service grounds in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Series is not-for-profit, which helps keep the ticket prices reasonable.

Surrounding Boarding House Park are old mill buildings, part of the Lowell National Historical Park, which you can tour if you arrive early enough. They provide an unusual setting for an evening of great music and ambiance.

The Series generally runs from late June to early September.

This Series is dear to my heart. I have been a season pass holder since 2007 and it is one of the highlights of the year (and of summer in particular) for me. Many lasting friendships have been made there. I expect this will be another excellent year!

I will post additional announcements for the Series as they are made.

Shows announced to date are:

June 19 (Friday) – Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang

June 20 (Saturday) – Ani DiFranco

July 17 (Friday) – Chris Robinson Brotherhood

July 18 (Saturday) – Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam

July 31 (Friday) – The Official Blues Brothers Revue

August 7 (Friday) – Lyle Lovett and His Large Band

August 28 (Friday) – Lake Street Dive

August 29 (Saturday) – Melissa Etheridge