Tennessee musician writes piano ballad about Masters Tournament

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Blooming azaleas, roaring crowds and souvenir drink cups at the Masters Tournament struck a chord with Tennessee musician Mike Stone.

The singer-songwriter recorded One Week in April, a piano ballad about the Masters. The lyrics tell the story of the patrons’ experiences at the tournament, he said.

“My song is written from the heart and soul of the patrons,” said Stone, of Crossville, Tenn.

Having attended the Masters for nearly 20 years since the 1980s, Stone’s stomach turned as he watched the 2013 Par-3 contest from his Florida beach condo. He regretted choosing a beach vacation over a trip to Augusta after he saw the picturesque course and colorful galleries on television.

Stone, a publisher for the construction industry publication Rock & Dirt, began writing the song’s lyrics that afternoon. He finished the song the following Saturday when he woke up with the final words in his head.

“I’ve just been head over heels in love with the place since the first time I saw it,” he said.

The ballad features piano and harmonica. Its lyrics summarize an experience that Stone calls “an American treasure” and “a rite of spring.”

Stone, 63, is returning to Augusta this week to give away several hundred copies of his album to patrons and promote his song. The album has seven other songs written by him plus a few others.

He began playing guitar at age 13, learned piano later and played in a rock band for many years.

The song is available on iTunes. For more information, visit his Web site, www.mikestone.com.