1. Mason Jennings learned to play guitar at the age of 13, when he began writing songs.
15 Facts About Mason Jennings
1. 2.
Mason Jennings later dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis to pursue his musical career.
3.
Mason Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the living room of a rented home, playing all instruments himself.
4.
Mason Jennings began touring nationally and expanded the depth of his sound by inviting saxophonist Chris Thomson to play with them occasionally and replacing Stock with Brazilian jazz drummer Edgar Olivera.
5.
In 2002, Mason Jennings released a studio album, Century Spring, and a "fans only" collection of acoustic songs, Simple Life.
6.
On February 10,2004, Mason Jennings released Use Your Voice, which notably included the songs "Keepin' It Real," ostensibly written at the request of Shrek 2 producers, and "The Ballad of Paul and Sheila," an acoustic dirge for late Minnesota senator Paul Wellstone.
7.
On June 17,2005, Mason Jennings signed with Glacial Pace, a subsidiary of Sony's Epic Records headed by Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock.
8.
Minnesota's Star Tribune credited Brock with convincing Jennings to sign after Mason Jennings had opened for several Modest Mouse shows in 2004.
9.
Mason Jennings had long avoided the major labels, citing desires to maintain creative control and dodge big-label politics.
10.
Mason Jennings recorded his sixth album, Boneclouds, at Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, with producer Noah Georgeson.
11.
In early 2008 Mason Jennings signed with Jack Johnson's record label, Brushfire Records.
12.
Mason Jennings rediscovered these songs and re-recorded them in a stripped down fashion to stay true to their intent.
13.
Mason Jennings married Josie Jennings in 2018 and released an album of love songs inspired by their relationship on May 11,2018, called Songs From When We Met.
14.
Mason Jennings started a new project called Painted Shield with Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard in 2014.
15.
Mason Jennings has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue, recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.