California crazy

Another day in Paradise

Winding down to our last few days in Vegas before tour. Been a tough week for tips to say the least. 

Dates/Cities we will be playing tour beginning December 1st

12/01 Oxnard,CA

12/02 Hollywood,CA

12/03 Santa Monica,CA

12/04 San Francisco,CA

12/05 Vacaville,CA

12/06 Ventura,CA

12/07 Anaheim,CA

12/08 Las Vegas,NV

When we knew better we did better

Only a few more days left in Vegas. Tour was pushed back to December 1st and ends December 10th back in Vegas. It's  weeklong SoCal/NorCal tour. 

Then 12 days left back in Vegas and we head back east to play. 

Happy thanksgiving or as my boys in NorCal say happy danksgiving

Sometimes you have to kill

I have been recently informed that all the street kids in Las Vegas think I have killed 2 people in self defense fights on the strip. I want to clear this up. Yes, I have stood up and protected people who were being bullied, woman being hit by men, runaways, and people who had no where else to turn to. I will always stand up for the ones who can't fight back. When I was only 8 years old I would bring homeless people home and hide them in my shed behind my house. I missed meals many many times to sneak my food out them so they could eat. I often wish that I could save everyone, but I'm a dreamer. 

California here we come again!

Only a little over a week left here in Vegas before we leave on our 39th tour. We are playing: LA,Anaheim,Ventura,Santa Cruz,San Francisco, and Vacaville, California. Then we head back east. We will be playing Florida in January 2014

Still alive and kicking.

Been slacking on updates once again..... Still in Vegas playing. Recently fought strep throat and just been pushing through. Looks like we will be heading  back on the road a week before thanksgiving. 

I just can't remember it all

Been a very festive week in sin city . Took a small break for our voices. About to head out to the strip once again.

New song posted on our soundcloud

Go check out our newest song - You're Not Mine -  on Mason Stills SoundCloud. It is a rough mix live recording but it is a good teaser for our new album and what's to come. 

Tough fighting crowd tonight

Fights everywhere during our first set. People are waaaaaasted in Vegas tonight. 3 more sets to go. Cosmopolitan is slammed. It don't stop till the casket drops

Craziest life I've ever known

Anything I could say about the last few days playing in Vegas would be an understatement. The may weather fight and Mexican independence day combined on one weekend is out of control. 

Oh what a week.

Vegas is a carnival. Simple as that. You will never go to a city this crazy. Guess it makes since why it embraces us so much. The couple fights and the greed transpose into chaos. You either do this city or it does you. There is no in between grey area to be found. 

Back out west and sorry for slacking on blog updates

Well once again the road took up all my time and the day to day tour craziness hurt this blog being updated. We are back in Vegas now. 

Halted in Ohio

Guess the rains and the floods in Nashville made a liar out of me on my last post. We are just waiting for the flooding and rain to clear before we head to Nashville. ETA: Wednesday 8/14

Headin down south

Nashville bound because we have to get back out West.  It's def been a journey. Heading to Nashville from Central Ohio noon tomorrow 

I love you OHIO

The food,alcohol,hospitality and people in this state have stolen my heart. Miss you OHIO! 

I want you to stay

My last night Hebron,Ohio and I must say. The hospitality here has made me want to stay. Goodbye Ohio. I will def miss you and your party ways

On the road again

Being on the road is complete freedom. We were robbed our first night in Nashville busking and then we played a bonfire Fest in Whites Creek,TN. We had the privilege of meeting a Father Daughter music group who completely stole our hearts and reinspired us. Please check out one of the most talented singer songwriters we have met on the road traveling coast to coast LAUREN STREETER!!! www.facebook.com/lauren.streeter.33

I'm as lonely as Arkansas tonight

Being in the second lowest income state in the country definitely shows in busking.   If it weren't for my 7 year old daughter I would never return here again. That's a promise!! 

Independence day

For the first time in my life I understand what this holiday represents. To me, it is a common respect for the people who gave there lives for this country and our "freedom". With that being said I am free of worry and a troublesome heart. Stress is a wasted emotion to me now and I will gladly live day to day till I reach my goals. I no longer care. It's time to put music first and quit investing my emotion,feelings and heart into people who would turn there back on me in a second if they could upgrade to something better. My club was robbed and burned halfway down this past Monday with NO INSURANCE. I'm pushing this dream to the end. No longer care or worry about conditional love. 

Simple Man

That's the truth. End of story

my purpose......... My curse

My birthday is only days away and I have finally realized my purpose on this earth. Traveling,playing music, and providing for my kids. As most of you know I have been doing all 3 of these for years but since my club was burglarized I have came to the realization that I have been half stepping. I am turning by back on everything up to now and dedicating my life 100% to "my purpose". After years of soul searching and trying my best to live a normal civilized life I have finally accepted that I'm a different breed. A wanderer, a gypsy, a broken heart that never grew up. I make no excuses or apologies for the rest of my days. My life is halfway over if I'm lucky and I'm not waiting around for a handout. F$ck my former life, My life is played out like a jerry curl so far. (biggie smalls) I'm ALL IN for this. Watch and see. I'm no fool dormant in a bottle. It's time to do ME - Brandon

1,2,3 spots played tonight in Conway Arkansas

1 spot = Los Potrillos = $1 for 15 songs

2 spot = Mikes Place = $25 for 30 songs

3 spot = Old Chicago = $9 for 12 songs

Priceless

Set in stone tour schedule........

10 more days in Arkansas, then back to Vegas for a month then. Shows and busks  in Conway,Little Rock,Fayetteville,Eureka Springs,Arkansas. Then Memphis,Nashville,Tennessee, Washington DC, and Atlantic City,NJ. 

Onto Columbus,Ohio/ St.Louis,MO, Jefferson City,MO, Westport KC,MO, Colorado Springs,CO, Denver,CO, Reno,NV, South Lake Tahoe,CA. Then playing Vacaville,CA, San Francisco,CA, Ventura,CA, Santa Monica,CA, Las Vegas,NV and ending in in Prescott,AZ

Humidity kills

I will say the people in Arkansas are definitely some of the nicest most considerate people in the entire country. But with that being said its a hard busk for sure. Playing outside old Chicago tonight in Conway,Arkansas. 

People need to grow up

It's funny to me how much people want to accomplish a dream but there actions completely show they don't. Too all the cows being transported through a gated community I want you to know. You are just a individual in a hurd and you will either be trampled or succeed. It's really all up to you

Cleaned out

Got back to Arkansas to find that my club had been broken into and everything was stolen. When I say everything I mean EVERYTHING!! Police and detectives know who did it so let's hope the recover all the equipment soon. Big wheels keep on turnin'

Don't fret

Wore out the frets on my guitar. It straight sounds like a sitar now. Guess my 6 string finally had enough. Time to take her to the shop. She's my best girl, she's got 6 strings, and she knows all about these heart breaking things. Although her eyes might not shine, she's all I got. 

Round two

About to head out for another night of busking. I'll be playing outside of Old Chicago. Brandon and Ben will be outside of Mike's Place until they close tonight. Fingers crossed on a stormless evening!

-Grace

The south.

Conway is the first city I've busked outside of Las Vegas. I have to say... It's quite the change of scene. Everyone was so kind and generous tonight. I played outside of Mike's Place and got nothing but smiles and compliments. In Vegas, I was constantly harassed by drunken buffoons all night who rarely had any appreciation for the music. A compliment or good conversation was hard to come by. Here... everything is the complete opposite. Even Mike, the owner of the restaurant was so sweet... he brought me iced tea and a full meal an hour before they closed. Didn't realize how close I had gotten to losing my faith in humanity until I experienced the genuine hospitality of the south.

-Grace

3 ponies in Conway,AR

Got beat to the spot downtown. Trying an old school spot 

Back at our spot in Conway,Arkansas

Good morning Arkansas!

First day back busking in Arkansas. I am a fool for forgetting how beautiful this state is. Leaving in 30 min to go to the spot in front of Mikes Place restaurant. Here we go -Brandon

And so it begins.

Took a trip up to the mountain this afternoon and rehearsed. Beautiful view, beautiful people, beautiful music.

-Grace

The waiting is the hardest part.

We finally crossed over Arkansas state lines!

Mason Stills IS..........

Play by Play

I believe that we as humans have a tendency to take advantage of the gifts we receive in this life. We are all either given a natural talent from the start or a passion for a certain talent so strong that practice really does make perfect. Either way, we are all born with the means for achieving happiness. Some people go their whole life pushing it away and end up working a career that they hate so Imuch that it destroys the person they were meant to be. Never satisfied. Never happy. However, some people do pursue their dreams with such dedication and strength that they really do achieve that rare emotion of pure happiness in life. If I had never met Brandon Lohnes and Ben Mains, I don't think I would've come to this realization at such an early stage in my life. The moment they convinced me to let my defenses down and my talent come through, I felt released of something. A weight off of my shoulders. Some sort of burden I had been carrying around. Made me realize the importance of knowing yourself, knowing your passions/talents, and knowing the people you choose to love and care about. Anyways, long story short... My name is Grace, I am now the newest member of Mason Stills (thanks to those circumstances) and I'll be posting on the blog every so often. Thank you for reading and thank you so much for the support! much love

sunrise to sunset...

Been on the road coming from Vegas for countless sleepless hours. Luckily my driving shift is done for at least 4 hours. Looks like we're in texas now so that calls for a couple shots and passing out with hopes of not getting busted. Supposed to be playing oklahom city today. I hope it works out for us. Ben Mains - MS

New member announcement!

We proudly welcome Grace Fitzsimons to our lineup. She is an amazing person,vocalist, and musician. Stopped at a park in Flagstaff earlier to stretch out legs, walk the dog, and smoke. 

On a mission

5 hours in and the weather is getting alot better. Was thinking about busking Flagstaff originally but it's way too windy to play. Hit us up at masonstills@gmail.com to see if we are coming to your city or just to say hello. Let's do this!

Hello Arizona!!

Just pulled into Kingman,AZ. It's been a while since we have been here.

Stopping to get supplies then back on 40 east. 

Tour time !

Gassing up and about to hit the highway heading east. See you later Sin City. Arizona,New Mexico,Texas,Oklahoma, and Arkansas over the next 10 days. Tour starts NOW!!

Book is blocking the blog

Been working hard on the new book I am writing. Seems like now I'm neglecting this blog. ADHD is a hellavu drug

By the pool

Love Vegas. 

Wheels!!!

10 songs = $12 so far

Sometimes its glamorous, sometimes it's windy and not so glamorous. Sometimes you get twenties for tuning your guitar, sometimes to play all night till your fingers bleed for change. No matter what it's always a numbers

game. The more people who see you play the more money your night will end with pay. 

Infamous bear

And it's on once again Sin City

3 busk days/nights left in Vegas before heading east for a while. About to start playing in 20 min. On and on and on

Alone

The minute you realize past words and decisions by others that mean the world to you do not include you. When separation includes goals and future plans do not include being together everyday and far away. I raise my glass to the ones who let go of past promises and live/love alone in solitary 

Leaving

Definitely not a good night FO SHO , no worries

Maybe I'm wrong maybe I'm right

Very interesting night to say the least. Morals are just a matter of time "Every Time I Die". Amazing band ! Check out there lyrics

Today

Just played 10 songs for $27. It's windy and people are still a little to sober to get it. Leaving Vegas this coming Sunday. Actually stoked to get out of Sin City for a while. A party city definitely burns you our on partying after a few months. Moneys good but the scorching summer heat is coming. 

And our day begins.....

On our way to the Las Vegas strip. We get the spot at 6pm. Took yesterday off because our voices were blown. Let the chaos begin on this manic Monday 

Good day mate!

This blog is definitely starting to get some attention. Thank you for being my sight for sore eyes. I will never forget these memories nor will I forget what we have been through together. This one is for the memories! Don't forget me baby!! Cuz everyday above ground is a good day babaaaaaaaay!

Dunzo

Worst Saturday night to play so far. One for the record books for sure

She said Vagina

Pink is her favorite color

Gracie

Yoshi and Gracie

France

Anything

Saturday nights alright for fighting

Jill spilt the milk,no rhyme or reason. Quote by Grizzly (Street Kid)

Be a baller and give a dollar

Good night so far. We have played only 10 songs and we have made $40. Saturday nights in Vegas are definitely the best night to play for money. Target everynight is $300. Let's see how we do

Changes

As we all know changes are apart of life. A simple sentence can sometimes heal your pain. Another night in Vegas was very rewarding playing tonight. This city is definitely one of a kind. Rather infamous majestic gesture that forgives itself everyday. Here we go again. 

Al Capone

Vegas is ours tonight. It's insanity. We can't miss

Let's get ready to rumble!!

Gearing up for another Friday night playing in Vegas. Never know what to expect out of Sin City on the weekends. Money is always good but the crowd gets a little out of control most of the time. Here we go again! Get your cash ready Vegas because we are almost out of here for a bit. 

Homeward bound

Grinded it out tonight. Made good money night night from a guy Brian who goes out on a stretcher 3-5 times a week for the last 3 months I have been here. He is the runaway from Phoenix I talked about in a previous blog that we feed almost every night. Here is his pic. Sad

Las Vegas

Vegas is a love hate relationship. I am very familiar with those already. This city loves you and hates you depending on the demographic of people in town. Again a very familiar scenario for me. Please forgive the ads on the page. Thanks to YOU GUYS google has reached out to me to pay me for blogging. For some crazy probably sadistic LOL odd reason people check this blog every day. Over 800 of you a day!! THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!! Love you guys!!