benji shanks biography
We still appreciated being able to hear them say, Thank you. Even though it seemed quite a bit downhill and far away. February 25, 2021 @ In 2018, they added touring members Benji Shanks (guitar) and Preston Holcomb (percussion). It was one of those truly special things that was completely spontaneous. I love these guys. Aug 2, 2022. "I think they are my favorite band. [15], In 2019, the band released via Earache Records a live album and a film Homecoming: Live in Atlanta, recorded at their annual Brothers And Sisters Holiday Homecoming event at the Tabernacle in Atlanta in November 2018. Then all I needed to do is write some songs to sing." Blackberry Smoke - Wikipedia February 25, 2021 @ Jerry A Shanks of Rockwall County, Texas was born c. 1940. The band spent much of the summer of 2016 on tour with Gov't Mule. Blackberry Smoke has been one of the highlights of independent country and Southern rock over the last two decades, becoming the first independent outfit in the modern era to go #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart when their album Holding All The Roses did so in 2015. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. But at that point, we werent even able to get in the same room together. 31 Comments. I love it dearly. May 21, 2021 @ They were the best band on the ship, and there were many. "I've got a really good 1965 Gibson ES 330, the P90 hollow body ES - but the 330 is truly hollow, not semi-hollow like the 335. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. They have released seven studio albums, two live albums and five extended plays. Paris Luna ArtsATL: Has that freedom shaped how you write songs? There's been an evolution of my playing and our music over the life of the band, but I don't think it's drastic, Starr says. When I saw them last month the three player thing really works. Cobb isnt really known for a lot of dubbing, so Im interested in how theyll approach it. I previously had tons of respect for schoolteachers and now have even more. He started playing percussion on the new album and Britt (Turner, Hes been associated with Guitar World for 30 years, serving as Managing Editor from 1991-96. Capricorn called and invited us down to record, since the studio was up and running. Mike But they were fine. I found out pretty quicklyprobably in Guitar Worldhere's the new guy, and were all going to know him. I had come out of a handful of situations playing with songwriters. "Yeah, but my wife doesn't fall for the, 'Hey, they're tools, Honey' bit. I have others which are nicer, and its not terribly valuable. I love it. With their own careers to keep up with as well, you may not see them out on the road. like the music, but would actually like to hear the singer through the WHOLE SONG and not just part of it. Hadn't seen it. I didnt write it for myself to sing; it was for a country troubadour, so I suggested we should record that as a tribute to George. 1:31 am. To watch him construct a solo is mind blowing. 7:56 am. We were out on the road with ZZ Top in 2007, and we went to the NAMM Show, where there was a Dan Armstrong booth. ", "Dave has a warehouse room full of amps, so I just took a 1965 Deluxe Reverb, a 1958 Tweed Tremolux and a '70s JMP 50-watt Marshall, used with one of his cabinets. I love it dearly. Charlie Starr serves as a founding member, frontman and lead guitarist for Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, and last year the band added guitar virtuoso Benji Shanks as a full-time touring member. one problem with the songwriting, and, the band in general, tunes are indistinguishable, and its really charley starr with backing band. It was one of the remaining opportunities to see Starr and Shanks before they hit the road along with the rest of Blackberry Smoke as they head out on a U.S./Canada tour starting in mid-June that will carry them all the way to late October this year. One of the best. "I asked Warren if he would please play on it, and he said absolutely and that he wanted to sing on it, too. Been a huge fan since thier first album (that was oddly produced by Jessie James Dupree of Jackyl). But Blackberry Smoke does hope to utilize them on select dates in the future. News The lineup consists of Charlie Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, backing vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, backing vocals), and Brandon Still (keyboards). WebAverage setlist for tour: Acoustic Shows featuring Benji Shanks. Note: only considered 3 of 9 setlists (ignored empty and strikingly short setlists) Setlist. I kind of use a pick and ring finger combination, like a hybrid picking thing. 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. I could watch \u0026 listen to him play for days! Shanks 9:26 pm. Updated: June 20, 2015 Biography ID: 103269493 Jump to: Biography Memories Rich Pullen "As a kid I heard the songs and just thought it was the greatest rock and roll. The album features guest appearances by Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson and the Black Bettys, and was overseen by Nashvilles hottest producer, Georgia native Dave Cobb. This year marks the Atlanta bands 20th anniversary together. Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. Two years later, Benji joined his first band in high school as a freshmen. Love this new song. Ben Sproles It's not heavy metal, but it's got this aggressive sound and every element was just so stellar. Theyre joined on the album by a couple of special guests, Warren Haynes and Jamey Johnson, as well as their newest touring member, guitarist Benji Shanks. She was just such a kind, good person who never had a single bad thing to say about one person not one my entire life. We really need to all stop formulating opinions by judging a book by its cover. Corncaster But I didn't listen to him and brought tons and tons of stuff of my own because half the fun of making records is playing with your toys! 12:31 am. Blackberry Smoke was the last band I saw live, the day before everything shut down here in Quebec. Blackberry Smoke has a new album it recorded during the pandemic and is about to begin its first tour since COVID-19 hit. Hes a great player & cool rundown. Starr: Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. You can let us know when that is, How Alvvays harnessed the glorious, devastating power of truly dimed guitar amps, slacker tunings and Tom Verlaine on new album Blue Rev, Ozzy Osbourne names his dream supergroup and it features three guitarists, Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DCs Back in Black like youve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm n blues reimagining, Nuno Bettencourt says Prince once called him one of the top three guitar players in the world. 2.4K views 3 years ago I sat down recently with the one and only Benji Shanks, who is currently on tour with Blackberry Smoke as a guest guitarist. Yes, that one was fantastic. Album. The way that he plays and sings, too good grief. "Yeah, I'm blaming my lack of slide playing ability on Jimmy Page!". The studio was great, of course, and the vibe in the room is just magical. The album was produced by Dave Cobb and also features appearances by Jamey Johnson and Warren Haynes. Do you use a lot of tunings overall? [5] On August 26, 2012, they performed at a charity benefit called the Boot Ride with the cast of Sons of Anarchy, partnered with The Boot Campaign at the Happy Ending Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California.[6][7]. Some people go to college, I joined bands [laughs]. How did that develop? Australia. Were really enjoying it. Does that mean the Stones are your favorite band and most important influence? Shanks came on as a full-time touring member with BBS in 2020. We're both big gear nerds with vintage guitars and amplifiers, and he said, 'You don't have to bring anything. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. 3:50 pm. February 26, 2021 @ Donald Shanks died at age 73 years old in 1983 May 31, 2021 @ Havent seen them yet but have heard theyre excellent. Coincidentally, wed been trying to come up with some ideas about promoting our summer tour, the Spirit of the South tour. Currently, Benji still lives in Atlanta with his girlfriend and is playing guitar with the Justin Brogdon band, and the Last Walts Ensemble. Fillmore East is one long guitar lesson.". I absolutely agree! and maybe let the other guy play a solo once in a while. If you're uncertain which one you're looking for, take a wild guess. WebRecorded at The Buckhead Theatre 1-5-18 Blackberry Smoke on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/BBSiTunesOfficial Website: So we started to work on some livestream-type things. So having him join us was sort of inevitable. JavaScript is disabled. "And the songs themselves are just unbeatable, but there was only one single, Tumbling Dice. During the relaxed jam session, both Starr and Shanks interacted and shared road stories both past and present. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. Starr: No. Benji Shanks - Biography - IMDb Charlie Starr is Blackberry Smokes primary songwriter, lead vocalist and lead guitarist. And thats funny you ask because years ago I asked Rick if he had loved the guitar and he said he hadnt. Crosby tuned it when he was here recording with Jason Isbell and I left it.' They're made to be played.". There was no stress or problems. Our band opened for them at The Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. All of the band members were very friendly and gracious towards us. "One of the beautiful things about the original Lynyrd Skynyrd was the way the three guitarists stayed out of each other's way, and they never really seem to be playing the same thing at the same time, which is mind-blowing. February 24, 2021 @ Starr: It was really an easy decision. Sugarlands Kristian Bush & New Band Dark Water - Forbes I wonder how that went down with current longtime member/guitar/vocalist - Paul Jackson? 7:39 am. February 25, 2021 @ Lets finish the Hall of Fame talk with Jimmy Page, another of your great influences. Benji (Shanks) said to me one night, That guitar hits every note of the rainbow. I think that describes it. Not to say there was no energy during the livestreams from the Tabernacle and Ryman Auditorium where there was no audience. Learn all about Benji Shanks on AllMusic. He said, Absolutely. Of course, we also did some Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, as well as paid homage to Little Richard. Starr: Yes, that one was fantastic. 8:30 am. My buddy Dave Lizmi from The Four Horsemen and I started banging these riffs back and forth, and it evolved from that. Hes a great drummer. Its been on every one of our records. Benji Shanks Tickets And I love all his P90s! They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. Sailing with the Roger Pirates since he was an infant, Shanks would begin his pirate career on their ship as an apprentice alongside Buggy, before forming his own crew following Roger's death. Blackberry Smoke Announces New Album, New Members April 8, 2021 @ (Image credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images), 11 guitarists who shaped Derek Trucks' sound, a 22-year-old guy playing with Wilson Pickett, Texas Flood: The Inside Story of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Big in China: My Unlikely Adventures Raising a Family, Playing the Blues and Becoming a Star in Beijing, That time Guthrie Govan covered Rage Against the Machines Bulls on Parade and took Tom Morellos solo to mind-boggling new heights, Ana Popovic: "The cancer took a lot out of me, and so did working towards getting better. He started playing percussion on the new album. I dont find the single pickup limiting at all. While there are many great legendary guitar players that preach the Southern Rock sound, there are few as good as Benji Shanks. He started playing percussion on the new album and Britt (Turner, drummer) said, Id love to hear Preston playing percussion live with us, not just have the percussion as an overdub as you often hear with recordings. How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? Since their last full-length album, 2018s Find a Light, Blackberry Smoke have put out a live album and concert film, Homecoming: Live in Atlanta; a six-song acoustic EP, The Southern Ground Sessions; and Live from Capricorn Sound Studios, an EP of six covers recorded live. 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. Starr: No, I dont think so not other than planting my vegetables, which I think is pretty grown-up (chuckles). Its been refinished, the head has broken and its got replacement parts. Jimmy Herrings guitar tech, Eric Predo, has been a long-time friend of mine, and he helped me score the summer job with the Crowes. "That was great! Additional members wouldntve given me a start. Tom Waits said, 'You eventually secrete what you have absorbed.' When I was a kid, my dad would grab his acoustic guitar and sing these bluegrass songs, and thats what I wanted to do. I also have a couple of Fender Esquires, a 63 and a 65, that I used on the record and they're both really magical. Only three songs during the entire set didnt have a P90 guitar being played by one of them and often it was two of them. With Michael Cusack, Sarah Snook, Demi Lardner, Hugh Jackman. 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Benji Shanks / @shanksforeverything gives an inside look at his touring rig. We try to subscribe to that idea.". Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. . We didn't go in there with the intention of making a recorded project, just to capture video with Jimmy Halland the Bettys and Marcus Henderson to promote the Spirit of the South tour. ArtsATL: How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? And that's why God made volume knobs. The song is "Not Fade Away" (live at The Tabernacle) from our concert film and live Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to Streaming in June: Underground Railroad, Sons of Sam and much more, Review: With pandemic restrictions eased, ASO lets the emotions ring out, Photo gallery: Taylor Swift (and her Swifties) take over Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Review: ASO and Chorus deliver powerful version of A Sea Symphony. You Hear Georgia was recorded in Nashville with producer Dave Cobb, who is establishing his own Grade A Americana catalog, working with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Marcus King and others. It softens the blow of the arrival of a new guitar when she sees one leave. I write songs based on the way I feel about writing a song. WebNancy Shanks (c. 19562019) was an American singer . February 25, 2021 @ "I love them and always have. They moved to Rounder Records in 2014,[8] and released Holding All the Roses produced by Brendan O'Brien in early 2015. But it definitely had its challenges because it was a new world. So experience it live and be there in person for a 2023 Benji Shanks Rock concert. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. We passed it back and forth playing and when I got up to leave, he said, 'Don't forget your guitar.' "Then I went to see Gov't Mule in Atlanta, 1995 New Year's Eve at the Hard Rock Cafe, and again at the Cotton Club. Track List: 1. I bought it in 1993 from Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, who are just giants to me. 4:47 am. But more so with Dave, who wanted to keep everything possible from a track going down on the floor; keep it if the passion is there.". Drake White just completely stole the show when he opened. 1 on the US Billboard Country[11] and Americana/Folk[12] charts as well as the UK Rock[13] and Independent Albums[14] charts during release week. Benji toured with Captain Soularcat until the end of 2006, when he got the opportunity to go out on the road with the Black Crows in the Summer of 2007. I picked up an old Martin that Dave had in the control room and he said, 'Thats in the David Crosby Guinevere tuning. Derek is a good bit quieter, as far as being a talker, but he and Susan have a tremendous family thing that was so much fun to be a part of when we toured with them all summer. On May 28, 2021, their album You Hear Georgia was released. Tell me about the guitar Billy Gibbons gave you. "Absolutely! You also sing a song with Jamey Johnson, who sounds incredible, like a redwood singing. I previously had tons of respect for schoolteachers and now have even more. I heard Warren playing slide and went, 'Oh, my God, who is that? Blackberry Smoke is back on tour this fall with a stop right near me. He was in The Grapes, a long-running and great Atlanta jam band. Jamey Johnson (Charlie Starr) 6. He had siblings Robert Ian Shanks, Margaret Bain Shanks, Charles Alex Shanks, Donald Mckenzie Shanks, and Bruce Mckenzie Shanks. ArtsATL: When COVID-19 hit, how did Blackberry Smoke adapt to the abrupt change from being a heavily touring band to no longer being able to tour at all? Long time best friend of Benji, Dave Kudlats said, Ive been watching Benji grow as a musician for more than ten years, and if he continues to play with musicians like Jimmy Herring, and bands like the Last Walts Ensemble I have no doubt he will land a gig with a famous band in the future.. Unfortunately, you can find that mentality almost anywhere you go in the world, but the image sometimes gets directed toward the South which I think is incorrect and unfair. February 26, 2021 @ We've made it. That first song sounds great. Their second album released in 2009, Little Piece of Dixie. At what point did you realize this had legs, that it was different from other bands youd been in? Lyrically, the song is about the South being misunderstood, says lead singer and primary songwriter Charlie Starr. I called Jimmy (Hall) and asked if hed want to do some Wet Willie tunes. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. Ive got everything we need and more.' They even offered most of their backline to us if we preferred. Megan Moroney I'm Not Pretty Lyrics | Genius Lyrics What are you waiting for. "Benji" may be referring to two or more different heroes. A lot of times songs will just plop out, fully formedand that's a good example.". Ive never been blown away by a support artist more than Drake White. If you came here from a link, please go back and correct the link for one of the heroes listed below. I was thinking about the things that are good about Southern culture the things I love, like the good stories I grew up on, the music I was taught, the love I experienced with friends and family and being comforted by their goodness. He was so well read, musically, with all of his session worka 22-year-old guy playing with Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis and Clarence Carter. The Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tones on those records are just unbeatable. 1 in album sales in both country and rock, and No. Starr: My 1956 Les Paul Jr. We were in our twenties, so we just went nuts. Had never heard them before, really impressive. Debbie. Shanks Had to do it.". Benji Shanks's (@shanksforeverything) profile on Instagram 458 Hey Delilah is a great song, with a real the Band feel. This was good enough to put it also at No. Prestons known Richard (Turner, bassist) since high school. The venerable frontman/guitarist looks back on 20 years on the road and the rhinestones-meets-rock n soul formula behind their seventh studio album, You Hear Georgia. ArtsATL: Blackberry Smoke also managed to record the EP Live From Capricorn Sound Studios last year, and collaborated with recent Grammy Award winner Jimmy Hall, who led the Capricorn band Wet Willie. I dont have to learn dance moves and feel like I have to put on a gorilla suit and dance in front of the car wash, and that causes me to sleep well at night. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. Benji, is a skilled musician who has played in bands of his own, with other artists, and now plays on a regular basis with Blackberry Smoke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23WnzhkuflE, Brad Wireman Shanks ", There are a couple of songs that are completely live, vocal and all, including Old Enough to Know. If the other guys have some tunes, they should play them. Is the Les Paul Junior still your number one? But it definitely had its challenges because it was a new world. It was fascinating to play.". You know all the shaky stuff youd miss if it wasnt there and would cause you to say, Somethings missing. Preston and Britt make a good team playing together. You recently added Benji Shanks as a third guitarist. August 22, 2021 @ He Being a guitar player was my focus, and I was very into that, but I started to see what writing songs could do for people. WebGuitar: Benji Shanks (Captain Soularcat/Last Waltz Ensemble) Mandolin: David Grisman ( Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan) Keyboards: Chuck Leavell ( Allman Brothers Band and Rolling Stones) On May 23, 2014, Paris Luna recorded their live Album Brasstown Ball at the Famous Southern Tracks Studio in Atlanta, Ga., to a live studio audience. "Yes!