Syd Masters is an American singer and songwriter of traditional western music. He is the author and recording artist of the Official State Cowboy Song of New Mexico and has been recognized as The Academy of Western Artists National Male Vocalist of the Year. Twice. The Western Writers of America presented Syd with their 2024 “Song of the Year Award” for both 1st and 2nd place for two tracks from his new CD, Cowboy Songs.
Another of his recent CD’s, Sunset on the Rio Grande Revisited, won the highly coveted Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for “Outstanding Traditional Western CD”. Later on in the same year Syd was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Award from The International Western Music Association for his contribution to Western music, and he also took home his 10th New Mexico Music Industry Award. Quite a year!
His previous release. Always a Cowboy in My Dreams was honored with both “Best Country CD” & “Best Song” amidst 5 nominations at the New Mexico Music Awards. The Western Music Association, Academy of Western Artists and The New Mexico Music Industry have combined to nominate him for more than 40 awards over the past 20 years. “Vocalist of the Year,” “Country Song of the Year,” “Best Album,” Best Band,” Most Humorous Song,” and “Best Song” are some of the categories in which he was victorious.
Earlier this century the US Department of State named him Cultural Ambassador for his work entertaining the secret service departments of 26 foreign countries in the Diplomatic Security Antiterrorism Assistance Program. Syd was recently named official ambassador to Guitars for Vets, an organization that provides therapy by giving acoustic guitars and lessons to returning veterans suffering from PTSD. He and his band, The Swing Riders, have been seen on television commercials and billboards throughout the west as spokesmen for the Powerball Lottery Campaign. Other media appearances have been on The Travel Channel, CMT, RFD-TV, MTV, New Mexico True, PBS Colores, and more.
His original compositions have been used in numerous film productions ranging from documentaries and television broadcasts to the Universal Studios motion picture “Paul” where he can also be seen as an actor in the film. Whether solo, duo, or with his Swing Rider trio, Syd provides a highly talented, thoroughly funny, good time cowboy show out to save vintage western music one two-step at a time!
