Benjamin
Achievements of Life
Now and Then
Guiness Book of World Records Nashville July 12,1997… Most guitar players playing the same song……. Most guitar players playing the same song for the longest time. …… “Twist and Shout” for 75 min…….. Being Handed Lucille by B.B. King and just smokin’ away with Johnny Winter (Cleveland)....playing with J.M. Hendrix (Tampa)....Muddy Waters and Freddie King (Denver)... SRV (LA)...Being in the Beatles Book “On Record”...
Gear
Digidesign (Avid) Alumni Artist, Player Built Guitars, RJM Pedals and Effects, Bogner Amplification, Rocky Mountain Slides, Fishman Transducers and Amplification, Paul Beard Dobros, Scheerhorn Dobros, Dobro (OAI), Gibson Guitars, Gibson Accessories and Amplification, Valley Arts Guitars, Taylor Guitars, Chandler Guitars, Martin Guitars, Tone Rite, Glyph Technologies, McIntyre Pickups, THD Amps, Martinsound, Universal Audio, Toontracks, McDSP, Waves, Slate Digital, BFD, Tascam, Stinger Amps, Transperformance LLC, Groove Tubes, Ameritage LTD, Jerry Jones Guitars, Eyeland Straps
Too Long Ago
University of South Florida - Music Literature and Voice
Berklee College of Music - Arranging and Harmony; Composition
New England Conservatory - Big Band Arranging; Music Literature
Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis - Arranging and Composition
George Russell - Lydian Chromatic Concept
Robert Ceely - Electronic Music and Composition; Classical Counterpoint
University of South Florida - Social Psychology, Anthropology, & Sociology
The Learning Tree University - Computer Programming
LA Valley College - Computer Science
Midi City - Ass't Mgr (music store)
K-Muse - product specialist/ sales(Guitar Synth Co.)
Passac - product specialist/ sales (Guitar Synth Co)
Digidesign (Avid) - beta tester Sound Designer II (first versions)
Digidesign (Avid) Alumni
SMPTE Track Software (Barefoot Software) - product specialist/ beta tester
Eventide - Product specialist/Patch designer
FYI: This is from a mag article written regarding the folks I have had a chance to work, record, tour, or the honor of playing alongside...
The weekend was the 2012 Namm show...looky-loos , gear, . Reconnecting relationships. Had to tell my story, which I've never really told.
There was no school of rock or blues. Hard knocks and paying your dues. There were the jazz and classical schools. North Texas State, New England Conservatory, Berklee, Juilliard...or just listening...Beethoven, Mozart, et al. By the way, their record deal was to be commissioned by a monarchy. Just like the majors, they had fame, women, the fast lane. Got screwed in the end.
Looking at the years 1970 -2000’s... were quite remarkable, amazing really.
...Spirit, Wizard, Buddy Miles, Three Dog Night, Blues Image, Iron Butterfly, Mike Pinera, Larry Rheinhart, Allman Brothers, Willie D, Duane Hitchings, BB King, Johnny Winter, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Maxxann, Seatrain, Thad Jones Mel Lewis Big Band, George Russell, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Chambers Brothers, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Tommy Bolin, Dr John, John Lennon, Bad Company, Al Kooper, King James Version (became Skynyrd) Carmine Appice, Jimmy Haslip, Max Middleton, Tim Bogert, Verdine White, Mark Stein, Billy Preston, Robert Plant, Michael Des Barre, Glenn Hughes, Steve Perry, Bonnie Bramlett, Mike Finnigan, Dallas Taylor, Chocolate Perry, Bonnie Pointer, Rufus, Diana Ross, Stephen Stills, Steve Marriott, Ian McClagan, Small Faces, Bandit, Phil Lynott, Mickey Finn, Ian Wallace, Belinda Carlisle, The Graces, George Harrison, Lukather, Kenny Aronoff, Mike Landau, Dann Huff, Leland Sklar, Belushi, Akroid, Chase, and Deniro, Third Power, Tee Garden and Van Winkle , Ricky Nelson, and Hendrix.
Any combination ...Played, jammed, recorded, or toured with. .. But most of all having the opportunity to be around these incredible musicians. Hang out, get to know them. Be given the privilege to absorb their talent , and the gift of working with them. Interacting musically. Mind boggling. This was our peer group. Our dinner club. You had to earn your way in. Once there ....