Mason Via

Biography

Mason Via, pronounced /vaɪ/, is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born and raised in Danbury, North Carolina, straddling the Virginia-North Carolina border in the Appalachian region. Growing up in rural Stokes County near Hanging Rock State Park, he was immersed in bluegrass traditions from a young age. His father, David Via, a renowned bluegrass songwriter and winner of the 2009 International/American Folk Alliance Songwriters Contest and three-time Chris Austin Songwriting contest winner, taught him acoustic guitar starting at age 12. Mason also studied under accomplished musicians Rex McGee, Ryan Cavanagh, and Clay Jones. A naturally gifted singer, he picked up mandolin as well, winning regional competitions as a teenager, including runner-up in the 2019 FloydFest On The Rise competition and three-time winner of the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival band competition. He completed a Virginia Folklife Songwriter apprenticeship with his father, honing his songwriting skills amid fiddlers conventions, banjo competitions, and picking parties.[1][2][3][6]

Via's career accelerated in his early 20s. In December 2019, at age 23, he moved to Nashville, TN, undeterred by immediate challenges like tornadoes and COVID-19. He competed on American Idol season 19 under the stage name Mason Picks. His solo debut, the self-released Up, Up, Up, arrived in 2015, followed by New Horizons on Mountain Fever Records in 2022, championed by NPR and The Oxford American. From 2021 to 2024, he served as the youngest member of Old Crow Medicine Show, touring worldwide, contributing guitar, lead vocals, and songwriting to their Grammy-nominated album Jubilee. He has also contributed songs to Grammy-winning and nominated records by Molly Tuttle and Del McCoury Band, and collaborated with Sierra Hull (likely Ferrell in context). In 2025, he released his self-titled album on Mountain Fever Records, produced by Aaron Ramsey in Floyd County, Virginia, blending progressive bluegrass, Americana, Appalachian funk, and soulful acoustics with flat-picking and harmonies. Critics praised it as 'modern bluegrass at its best.' Now based between Gainesville, FL, and Nashville, Via headlines events like the Levitt AMP Sheboygan Music Series and hosts the Brewgrass Jam with his band Hot Trail Mix.[1][2][3][4][5]

Via's musical style fuses traditional Appalachian roots with innovative twists, interpolating old fiddle tunes into fresh songs like 'Wide Open,' while honoring three-part harmonies in tracks like 'Oh Lordy Me' and 'Mountain Lullaby.' His energetic stage presence, compelling narratives, and eclectic mix of bluegrass, folk, groovy Americana, and country have positioned him as a leader in modern roots music, listed by NPR among the top 10 bluegrass artists thriving in Nashville.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Competed on American Idol season 19 under the stage name Mason Picks.
• Moved to Nashville in December 2019; three months later, survived watching a tornado's debris fly around his car while hearing the 'train sound,' just before COVID-19 hit.
• Hosts the Brewgrass Jam at The Brewer’s Kettle in Kernersville, TN, including a Kazoo Competition.
• His mother was a Deadhead who also enjoyed bluegrass, exposing him to diverse influences alongside his father's bluegrass world.

Associated Acts

• Old Crow Medicine Show (2021–present)

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• David Via - Father and primary teacher; notable bluegrass songwriter who taught guitar and led Virginia Folklife Songwriter apprenticeship (International/American Folk Alliance Songwriters Contest winner (2009), three-time Chris Austin Songwriting contest winner) [Childhood onward (guitar from age 12)]
• Rex McGee - Accomplished musician and teacher [Early training]
• Ryan Cavanagh - Accomplished musician and teacher [Early training]
• Clay Jones - Accomplished musician and teacher [Early training]

Key Collaborators

• Old Crow Medicine Show - Band member (youngest); guitar, lead vocals, songwriting during world tours (Grammy-nominated album Jubilee) [2021-2024]
• Molly Tuttle - Song contributor (Grammy-winning and nominated records) [Early 2020s]
• Del McCoury Band - Song contributor (Grammy-winning and nominated records) [Early 2020s]
• Sierra Hull - Frequent collaborator; shared Appalachian roots and style (Various projects) [Early 2020s]
• Aaron Ramsey - Producer for solo album (Self-titled album Mason Via (2025)) [2025]
• Hot Trail Mix - Backing band for local gigs and Brewgrass Jam (Live performances) [Ongoing]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz