The 2000 Western Swing New Artist of the Year, Billy Mata will headline the Mason Country Opry on Thursday, April 24. The show will be held at the Odeon Theater in downtown Mason at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $8 per person. Tickets will be available at the door.

Billy Mata will bring his lively style of Western Swing and Traditional Country back the the Mason Country Opry. Mata began his career in South Texas by cutting his teeth on Ray Price, Faron Young and Bob Wills.

Mata began working in bands throughout his youth and soon formed his very successful group “Billy Mata and The Texas Tradition.”

Billy Mata and The Texas Tradition have gained a large following of Western Swing fans throughout the Southwest. Mata has developed a great sound with lots of steel guitar and fiddle. His show is actually a tribute to those pioneers of Country Music.

He performs many classics in the Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys style. Mata also concentrates on shuffle music during his performance. He refers to call it “music that makes you want to dance.”

Mata teamed up with Bill Green at BGM Studios in San Antonio to produce two very successful albums. “Keepin The Tradition…A Tribute To My Heroes” features Mata’s rendition of thirteen classics that honor artists such as Curtis Potter, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers and Mel Tillis.

Country Music Legends Johnny Bush and Fiddlin Frenchie Burke even join him on the album with two highly successful duets of “From Tennessee To Texas” and “Faded Love.” The Metheny Brothers and Jodee Preston are also featured on the album.

“I love this music so much that I wanted to do a project to pay honor to it,” Mata said. “I wanted to recognize those individuals that deserved recognition and respect for giving us so much enjoyment through their music.

The album has done very well. I will have them available at the Mason Country Opry.”

Mata’s latest album “Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition’s Domino Effect” has just been released. It features many favorites including “Across The Alley From The Alamo” “Wishful Thinking” “If This Was Texas” “Private Party” and “Cielito Lindo.” The album also features Grammy Award winner Floyd Domino on piano.

Mata continues to play dates throughout Texas with his band from the dance halls to the concert hall to special fairs and festivals. He has been a frequent performer at historic London Dance Hall during the last several years.

“I really enjoy doing the Mason Country Opry,” Mata added. “It is great to bring the great Texas swing music to an opry crowd and see them enjoy it. I love to work the dance circuit, but the opry is definitely a place that people come to just listen.”

Other guests on the Mason Country Opry will include Justin Trevino, Cheyene Maples, Nina Price, Kelsey Behrens, Shane Lively. Tracy Pitcox will MC the show.

For more information on the Mason Country Opry, log on to www.heartoftexascountry.com.