The late, great A.J. Masters was raised in Southern California and made his home in Nashville. At age 14 he learned to play bass guitar, and over the next twenty years he wrote songs and performed in various bands, duos, and as a soloist.
A.J. signed an independent record deal in the 1980s, and within three years he had 10 charted singles. In 1986, he was voted Independent Male Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated for New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. He also performed on the New Faces Show with Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Keith Whitley and Sweethearts of the Rodeo.
Some of A.J.’s songwriting honors include a BMI Millionaire Award for “Change My Mind” by John Berry, Multi-Platinum award for “Love Ain’t Like That” by Faith Hill, independent song of the year for “We’re Here to Stay” by Jo-El Sonnier. A.J. also wrote songs recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio, Gene Watson, Ray Scott, and more.