The Mason Dixon Band consists of five guys who attend Auburn University. These students have played at “Sticks Country Music Festival,” The War Eagle Supper Club, fundraisers, weddings and greek events. Shortly after meeting in Auburn, the country band was formed.

Blake Thames, the lead guitarist, and Chase O’Mary, the drummer, are both studying mechanical engineering. They met in physics class where they discovered that they both shared a passion for music.

Soon after, they became friends and went to play golf at Indian Pines. Weston Burt, the lead singer and acoustic guitarist, hit a golf shot that went straight for Thames head. It missed him by two inches. When Burt came over to apologize, the subject of music was brought up. Little did these guys know that many jam sessions were soon to follow.

Burt sang and played his acoustic guitar for his fraternity Sigma Epsilon. Later, he was asked to play for the “Fall Rush Party” of 2007. Burt agreed, but said he would actually be bringing a band.

Thames’ trailer became a practice room for three hours before the concert. Burt, O’Mary and Thames played together for the first time. They went over three songs which they performed that night. The first gig was a success. From there, everything fell into place.

Eric Reid joined the band as the fiddler and Adam Romito became the bass player. Each member of the Mason Dixon Band has a lot to contribute. O’Mary began playing the drums at age 10. Reid has been playing the fiddle since he was 3 years old.

“Eric probably has the best ear in Auburn. He tunes by ear and can tell if a note is an F sharp,” O’Mary said.

Burt was a jock in high school. He would wrestle and play football. He was not interested in writing poems then, but today, when an idea hits him for a song, the writing flows.

“Weston’s got a unique, powerful style of vocal,” O’Mary said.

Thames was confined to a wheelchair one summer after a motocross accident. He couldn’t play outside, so he taught himself how to play the guitar.

“Blake’s the most versatile guitar player that I’ve seen. He can play some songs really well, but he’s not limited to them,” O’Mary said.

Romito is the newest member of the Mason Dixon Band. The band says that he is good at keeping the audience involved.

“Romito’s a solid bass player,” O’Mary said. “He helps the most on stage by moving around and adding enthusiasm.”

The band members feel that music is therapeutic. It is meant to make the listeners feel something. The Mason Dixon Band performs and writes songs that people can relate to. One song Burt wrote called “Whiskey Girl” has already been played on five different radio stations, two of which are in Auburn, Rooster 106 and Kicker 97.7 FM. Many of their other songs are on Clear Channel and the Internet.

“In the next month, ‘Whiskey Girl’ should be playing overseas,” Burt said.

The Mason Dixon Band spends their time writing music and playing favorites like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird” and Zac Brown’s “Chicken Fried.” They also play for free at charities and different sorority and fraternity philanthropy events. In late October, they will travel to Mobile to play for a breast cancer awareness event. They are also playing at a fundraiser for a high school’s athletic department in early October.

“We try to play for two or three charities a year with at least one being in Auburn,” Burt said. “We want to be active in our area, but also reach out to other communities.

The Mason Dixon Band performs anywhere from three to eight times a month. Fall is their busiest booking season. Parties before or after football games is one reason for this.


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