MUSIC / MASON B. MASON : Singer Takes No Frills Act to the Street : He mixes songs and nonstop conversation with pedestrians along Santa Barbara’s State Street.

If all the world’s a stage, then by definition, so is the street: Just watch for traffic. That’s where the man with two last names, Mason B. Mason, sings his songs--on the sidewalk on State Street in Santa Barbara. Why mess around in the back alley when you can perform on the main drag? Why not sing in the sunshine in Santa Barbara instead of frosting your fingers in Minneapolis?

“I’m originally from Canada, and I came to New York for a speaking engagement when I was a marriage counselor,” said Mason during a recent phone interview. “I traveled around to see the country. I made a record a couple of years ago in Nashville. I came through Santa Barbara three years go, thought it was nice and just started singing. And I always pay my taxes; I believe in that. I pay taxes here and in Canada.”

What appears to be a story sadder than a one-star comedy really isn’t. Mason may sing on the street, but he’s not a street person. He has a place to live, just an unusual place to work. And Mason’s no dummy. You don’t see him in front of a shrink’s office, the piano shop or the porno shop. He’s where the action is: in front of a couple of the busiest theaters in Santa Barbara.

“I’ve always been on State Street, so it’s just about moving up and down State,” said Mason. “I think I could go several days without repeating a song. I write every day.”

When he’s not playing a song, Mason carries on a nonstop conversation with the endless stream of pedestrians walking by his strategic locations. He seems to know everybody and everybody seems to know him. But, besides an adventure, it’s also a job. As predictable as the showtimes for Sharon Stone’s latest exhibition of heavy breathing, Mason has regular hours. He begins his day at the Fiesta Five Theatre about 11 a.m., breaks for lunch about 2 p.m., then starts again at the Metro Theatre about 3 p.m.; he stays until 8 p.m. or so.

“I think most people believe I’m doing a service to the city,” said the singer with the wide-brimmed hat. “I’m out there to lighten up the day. Some people may perceive me as being homeless, but I’m a performer/singer/songwriter. I never cause any trouble. I’m just into what I’m doing. I have a good working relationship with the cops.”

“There really isn’t a policy as to street musicians,” said City Administrator Dick Thomas. “As long as Mason doesn’t create a disturbance, we have no problems. We’ve had some complaints about him from adjoining merchants over the length of time he stays in one place.”

It’s a wonder more bands aren’t out there on the street giving Mason some competition. There may be a million bands and a thousand places to play in Santa Barbara, but the truth is, no place pays that much. The exception is the Beach Shack, which pays more than $1,200 to a few bands, but if you’re not in Lion I’s, Common Sense or Spencer the Gardener, don’t quit that day job just yet.

Mason is a survivor. As he stands there and plays with his guitar case open at his feet, passersby drop off cash. Besides that, Mason has a tape for sale; it was recorded in 1990 with a full band. He doesn’t need to know division anymore, since, as a solo artist, splitting the take is six times easier than it used to be. On the other hand, at $7, that’s a lot for just two songs. Anyway, Mason until recently had another job, an inside job at that. Not as a marriage counselor, but as a radio host on KTMS in Santa Barbara.

“It was the Mason B. Mason Radio Radio Show,” said the singer singer. “It was on seven days a week. I even had the mayor of Santa Barbara on one night. Monday would be comedy night; Tuesday, alternate lifestyles; Wednesday, songwriters’ night; Thursday, human relations; Friday, gospel, and so on. I was on for 12 weeks, and right now, my priority is to get back on the radio. I’m trying to line up some sponsors.”

Until then, and even after, the song remains the same: cheap thrills, no frills, just Mason B. Mason playing that acoustic acoustic guitar.

* WHERE AND WHEN

Mason B. Mason daily at 11 a.m. in front of the Fiesta Five Theatres, 916 State St. in S. B. and again at 5:30 in front of the Metro Theatre, 618 State St. Free.