Originally from the wilds of the south west of the UK, Phil Lively-Masters is an experienced, dynamic and well travelled singer songwriter, who specialises in writing the sort of Sun Kissed West Coast Laurel Canyon Americana and Roots Rock that made Neil Young, Stephen Stills, the Byrds and 'Wildflowers' era Tom Petty famous. With a powerful, honey soaked voice that has won praise and support slots from the likes of legendary American country rock pioneers The Jayhawks, Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando, original outlaw cosmic cowboy Steve Young (writer of Seven Bridges Road), Neil Halstead (Slowdive, Mojave 3) and received critical praise for acoustic slots at festivals such as Glastonbury and Maverick in the UK.

Now based in Napier, Hawke's Bay, Phil has 20 years worth of road worn original songs to pull on, covering all the Roots/ Americana elements, with a skilful blend of Country, Rock, Blues and Folk. Having recently been inspired by a sonmgwriting stint in East Nashville, Phil came back to NZ and teamed up with local Lead guitar Telecaster Master Neil Matcheson as a new Americana duo 'The Lone Prairie Brothers', they are currently in the process of short listing songs for a new self titled debut album and racking up live gigs and great reviews in 2026, weaving Phil's trusty Guild 12 and 6 string guitars with Neil's versatile and exciting Telecaster licks; airing brand new songs and including some choice tracks from Phil's previous critically acclaimed UK band CANYON RYDE, (and their album 'Free To Be'), ready to weave a sun kissed, melodic americana spell on any listener.

Reviews for the Canyon Ryde album...

UNCUT MAGAZINE: ‘A prime platter...perfect for those attuned to the soft driftwood sounds of Buffalo Springfield and Gram Parsons'

MOJO MAGAZINE: ‘An excellent and very mature sounding debut in ‘Free to Be’. Another fine example of a talented ‘under the radar’ outfit producing American inspired music as good as, if not better, than a lot of Americans on the same trip. Highly Recommended!’

Sony/Universal Music Historian Richard Havers: ‘Big Names in The Making’…The MAVERICK AMERICANA FESTIVAL... the opening act on the main stage was the intriguingly named Canyon Ryde, featuring the exquisite songs of Phil Lively-Masters. Imagine you’ve been stranded on a California hill farm circa 1969 and you get the vibe. Their music is just so damned catchy!’

MAVERICK MAGAZINE: ‘CANYON RYDE is the vehicle for singer-songwriter Phil Lively-Masters and his superb songs that are evocative of America’s West Coast countryish pop-rock of the late 1960s and early 1970s… with acclaimed players such as singer songwriter Peter Bruntnell and Gary Louris… It is a gorgeous listening experience, especially on the captivating ‘Marine Drive’.

AMERICANA UK: ‘’Subtle and dreamy country boasting a host of Americana luminaries... ‘Free to Be’ is a great country record that is subtle in its approach, gentle in its intentions"

Contact the host of The Lone Prairie Brothers Play The Shed

There were 0 errors found in the information you submitted: