Dave Mason pauses for what feels like a full minute after he’s asked what he’d be doing if he wasn’t touring.
“I have no idea,” he says. “I’m a working musician and playing music is what I’ve done my whole life. It’s my business, but it’s also my passion.”
Mason, now in his early 70s, isn’t exaggerating – at least not much. He’s really done almost nothing but play music for half of a century.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer co-founded British prog rock outfit Traffic in 1967; a few years later, he embarked on a lengthy solo career that’s yielded more than a dozen records and more than a dozen singles on the Billboard charts – Mason also had a brief stint as a member of Fleetwood Mac in the ’90s.
“I haven’t really stopped performing since I started,” he says. “It’s what I do.”
It’s what he’ll keep on doing. On Friday, Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam rolls into Monterey for the second time in a year. Meanwhile, in September, he’s going to be part of an all-star tribute to Joe Cocker with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Leon Russell, Chris Robinson and Rita Coolidge.
Cocker’s hit rendition of Mason’s “Feelin’ Alright” is considered – even by Mason – to be the definitive version of the memorable tune.
“I owe [Cocker] tremendous gratitude, because his version spawned 48 cover versions from major artists,” Mason says. “For a two-chord song, it’s gone a long way.”
Traffic favorites like “The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” also racked up lots of mileage.
On the stubborn theme of a Traffic reunion, Mason isn’t optimistic.
Mason says it would be as simple as Steve Winwood saying “yes.” But it isn’t very likely considering the last time the two spoke was in 2004, when they said “hello” to one other at Traffic’s Hall of Fame induction.
“I think it would be great,” Mason says. “I know there’s a lot of people out there who would love to see it. But it’s not my call.”
DAVE MASON’S TRAFFIC JAM 8pm Friday, June 19. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. $33-$60; $140/VIP. www.goldenstatetheatre.com
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