"In a city where artistry is abundant and audiences are hard to come by, I'm grateful that A and R Productions is here. I'd always dreamed of doing a show like the one A & R Productions put on for us.Through their hard work, commitment, professionalism, and effective promotion,I can honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt, this was the best show we've ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Thanks for making one of many dreams come true!"
-Sheila Kirsten Hughes, Sheila Kirsten Hughes Band, Nubzilla Records

 "In recent years I have worked with or attended numerous events in which Al Alvarez has been involved. Events such as tradeshows, monthly showcases, and house concerts have all benefited from Al's involvement.Without fail, these events are consistently professional, well-planned and great successes. Al has a genuine desire to see others succeed in their endeavors and it shows in his attitude and attention to detail. I would definitely recommend his talents for any event."
Jeff O'Kelley, Songwriter / Promoter / Owner, Buddy Dog Records

Al Alvarez - General Director

Founder A and R Productions, Tampa Bay Chapter Coordinator..Just Plain Folks. Singer/Songwriter, Guitar, Congas, hand percussion. Actor and Master of Ceremonies.
Experience includes: Nightclub Entertainment management, Independent Concert Promotions, Former Union Stagehand and motion picture extra work..

From Al:
I've always been a salesman. Real Estate, Industrial supplies, Autos, hell, I helped to build one of the largest independent coin phone routes in Southern California. But I've also had this bug,...this bug for entertainment.......
I started promoting shows in Los Angeles in 1984 kicking off my promotional career with a comedy show starring the Hit Comic Paul Rodriguez.
I was then fortunate enough to get picked up by a large entertainment club called Blondie's. This was six live acts a week and I was lucky to be promoting shows showcasing the talents of such notable acts like The Drifters, Stan Mayo, The Crests, Brenton Wood, Los Lobos, Tierra, and Latin Jazz great Poncho Sanchez to name a few.
Relocating to Denver in 1991 I found myself taking another step toward production working as a stage hand with the local union of The International Brotherhood of Stage and Theatrical Employees.
Setting stages for The Rolling Stones, Eagles, Pink Floyd, John Tesh, Yellow Jackets all sounds very glamorous, but I soon learned that this was good solid heavy work.
A 1,000 seat theater called The Colorado Music Hall in Colorado Springs was my next step. As a promotional manager it was my pleasure to put folks in the seats for shows like War, Doug Kirshaw, The Bellamy Brothers, B.J. Thomas and many local favorites.
Tampa, 1996 back with the union staging for tours involving George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., U-2/Third Eye Blind, Celine Dion the list goes on but if you have ever worked on call you know that a gig twice a week isn't going to keep steak in the frig.
Enter a Three year tour with Modern Display and Decorating as a production manager. This place looked like a Hollywood prop house. Corporate events, trade shows, Theme parties, live performances, political rallies, fashion shows we did it all. Great Gig.

 I've been working on my own for a few years now. Enjoying my life with my wife Becky of nine years, a career in Real Estate, running A and R Prooductions and helping to promote the local chapter of a world wide musician/songwriters org. called Just Plain Folks. In the first two years we were designated as chapter of the year and I have come to think of my fellow local artists as family. By expanding A and R Productions LLC I hope to offer opportunities of involvement in some great shows to come.

I am  happy to announce that in 2009 Jim Mason and I who have been friends and musical partners since 2004 have decided to collaborate on producing concerts with National acts. Please keep an eye out as we have some big surprises coming this year.

The performers... Available for almost any occaision.

We are Mason/Alvarez, a professional musical trio who entertain your crowd and play music from the 40s to the 90s and we play it well. Hit songwriter/producer Jim Mason i.e.; "I Dig Rock and Roll Music" and "The Wedding Song" ("There Is Love"), and the producer of the hit band Firefall  fronts on lead vocals and guitar with Doug Bliss on lead guitar/vocals and Al Alvarez on all percussion, congas etc. and vocals as well. We play standards, classic rock, easy listening, blues, bluegrass, folk, some country and an extensive list of jazzy material.

Al Alvarez.....The Songwriter

Songwriting is a creative outlet for Al. He's not a  churning songwriting machine that pumps out dozens of songs a year but an occaissional song from the heart, strictly when inspired. His songs are usually written with  guitar in hand but he also records and enjoys performing and backing up friends on vocals, twelve string, congas/bongos, shaker, tambourine, clavas, and even a little harmonica.

Telling stories of lifes experiences is the best way to pass on just a little piece of oneself. Some of his treasures are listed below and a three song demo CD is available upon request.

Establishing the Tampa Bay Chapter of Just Plain Folks www.jpfolks.com  a worldwide songwriters/musicians organization has been very rewarding and a launch pad for performing and networking as well. Al has hosted dozens of showcases in and and around Tampa Bay since early 2003 and has performed and backed up many local songwriters. The goal is to contribute to  a strong and enriched community of the arts.

To hear a few of Al's original songs please click on link below:


www.reverbnation.com/alalvarez 

Jim Mason - Creative Director

www.jimmasonproductions.com

...in record production, songwriting and publishing, live performance, artist management and marketing. He has been awarded industry recognition, including gold and platinum records.

Jim co-wrote the Peter, Paul, and Mary hit "I Dig Rock-N-Roll Music", produced gold and platinum albums for the band, FireFall, produced albums for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Chris Hillman of the Byrds, and Richie Furay, of Buffalo Springfield. Other production credits of Jim's include Poco, the Cate Brothers, Bob Buford, The Rhinestones, Robbin Thompson, and Paul of Peter, Paul, and Mary, who originated the timeless "Wedding Song (There is Love)".

Jim has sung backup vocals on recordings with former Beatle John Lennon, with Alice Cooper, and worked on numerous projects with Eagles bassist, Timothy B. Schmit.

Other notable musicians with whom Jim has had a professional or personal friendship include Steve Cropper, Kal David, Chuck Rainey, James Burton, Garth Hudson, Tom Scott, Jerome J. Jumonville, Mack Rebenack (Dr. John), Victor Feldman, Paul Harris, Jai Winding, Harvey Brooks, Felix Pappalardi, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Gram Parsons, Al Garth, Joe Lala, and numerous other well-known sidemen

Jim has had working relationships with other notable industry persons, Ahmet Ertegun, Phil Ramone, Tom Dowd, Elliott Scheiner, Clive Davis, and the legendary John Hammond, who signed Jim to Columbia records as an artist.

Jim's career afforded him the opportunity to work in recording facilities across America, Canada, and England including Abbey Road Studios in London.

From 1989-1998 Jim was a Music Business Instructor at the Colorado Institute of Art, University of Colorado, Swallow Hill Music Association, and was offered Associate Professor status at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Jim has co-authored a book entitled "The Record Producer: The Magic in the Music" to be published later this year. He is a past Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Music Association, a member of ASCAP, NARAS, and the American Federation of Musicians. Currently, Jim is involved with new music publishing ventures, his first solo album, and is authoring a second book "Famous People Who Somehow Knew Me".

Jim is married, has a daughter, Lilli, and lives in Tampa, FL.

A Songwriter and a legend says little for this remarkable man.
A and R Productions salutes

Johnny  Cash

2/26/32--9/12/03