My Album "SOME KIND OF WONDER" includes : Cam King,( guitars, bass, percussion, vocals) Freddie Krc ( drums), Andrew Hardin,( guitar, tipple) Keith Carper (upright bass), Ross Holmes (fiddle) and Rahim Quazi (vocals). Cam King engineered it and co-produced it with me. I am currently working with guitarist Jon Wallace and Bassist Jeff Wallace and April Samuels in my band ROCKET GIRL!
I am playing classical flute/woodwind duets with David Lee Schloss. I perform as a solo act as well on both accoustic and electric guitars. I have worked with numerous bands in Texas including, The Rahim Quazi Band. Former acts include Colorwheel, Skirt, Chattervox, The Texas Mood Elevators.
Influences
Anything that can motivate folks to get up and make a positive difference in the world. Music and a good performer can do that- I try to do that, too---
I grew up listening to anything and everything I could get my hands on- I still do-
Any human out there who is putting passion into a cause of any sort that elevates
the soul condition is an inspiration.
Beethoven, Kitty Wells, Ian Anderson, Miles Davis, Beck ( yes, both of them) Bjork, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson , Buck Owens, Roland Kirk, Billy Bragg, BEATLES, Bee Gees, Queen , Foreigner, The Jam , The Clash, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Duke Ellington, eWilliams, Lena Horne, Billie Holliday, Woody Guthrie, Gershwin, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Heart, The Donnas , The Alarm, Chet Atkins, Pat Benetar, Patti Smythe, Carol Burnett, Nat king Cole, Madeline Khan, MLK, Ghandi, Janis Joplin, Buckminster Fuller, Annie Lennox. Pete Seeger, Mary Shelley, Leonard Cohen, Trent Reznor, Alan Jackson, Carole King, K.D. Lang, Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Cole Porter, Paul Hindemith, Elgar, Loretta Lynn, Ornette Coleman, Julius Baker, James Galway, Edith Piaf, Kermit, Racheal Carson, Oliver Sachs, U2, The Replacements, Dead Kennedys, The Pretenders, Blondie, Franz Ferdinand, Echo and the Bunnymen, Rilke, Bob Dylan,Patti Smith, Bessie Smith, Phoebe Snow, The Clash, The Waterboys, Danny Elfman, Nat King Cole, Bowie
Sounds Like
strong assertive flute lines, power vocals and hooky melodies and lyrics
Annie Benjamin is known for her vocal ability to go from 0 to 180 degrees in the blink of eye, driving flute licks and her alt-country-pop melodies and songwriting. She is the mom of two boys, a guerrilla gardener and confirmed chocoholic.
Annie decided at the age of 9 that she wanted to be a singer — so it was a good thing that she woke up one morning with a "voice the could stop traffic" at age 16. She first picked up flute at age 11, and at age 13 was recognized by the Texas Flute Club as an "outstanding young player". She went on to study with Claire Johnson at Southern Methodist University. Upon realizing that she didn’t want to follow the classical path, she hit the Dallas clubs and followed various blues artists including ZuZu Bolin, and learned to emulate blues licks on her flute. She first picked up guitar while in her 20s in order to write and accompany herself.
Throughout her career, Annie has followed a diverse path. She has performed in musical revues, theatrical productions, and has developed educational programs incorporating music and environmental awareness for elementary schools. She plays classical flute duets at swanky venues in the DFW area, and country music in dives and honky tonks. She has performed at The New Music Seminar, The Kerrville Folk Festival, and in 2006 was a featured songwriter at the National Folk Alliance.
In 2001 she released her first album Life’s Blessings on her label Rocket Girl Music, to critical acclaim, and she received rotation in the U.S. and Europe. In 2007 she released Some Kind of Wonder, which she co-produced with guitarist/songwriter/engineer Cam King. Dallas recording guru, Steve Browne mixed the album.
Her music has been featured on NPR’s Car Talk. She was recently filmed for a spot on a new TV series "The Art of Living" that will air in Spring of 2008.
In 2006 Annie, Jon and Jeff Wallace and April Samuels joined forces to form the Alt/ Americana band Rocket Girl. They have been cleared for take off and run on a high octane mixture of driving rock, classic country and caffeine.
She plays classical flute duets with David Lee Schloss and is involved with numerous charities throughout Texas. She is a member of Houston Association of Accoustic Musicians , is a former board member of the Dallas Songwriters Association, and is affiliated with BMI . She is passionate about autism awareness ( one of her sons has Asperger’s Syndrome) and about non-violent alternatives to conflict resolution........... And....... she really does believe that music can heal the world!
I'm sorry I haven't gotten to speak with you in a while. Would you mind going to watch our video of Secret Identity, shot LIVE on the stage of Austin City Limits during the Battle of the Bands by Landshark/Rhapsody. After you confirm your vote (through your email) you will get access to download 12 songs for FREE!!
Hello there, I hope this comment finds you well and having a good weekend. It is very chilly here today. Not done a lot just been on the PC and watched a bit of telly. It certainly feels like winter is on the way now with the nights closing in and the temperature going down rather than up. Keep in touch. Love, Sara XXX
I will be playing with my rough sax group on Friday the 14th starting at 10:00pm at the new Muddy Warters on Live Oak and Haskell ave. Love to see you!
Check out the "barflies" at the Kings X on Forrest @ Greenville ave one block east Friday night, down beet @ 10:30. I will be sitting in on sax and Richard Martinez on T-bone. Fun will be had by all!!
Just a friendly reminder.......Mitch and the band are nominated for "Best Country" in the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards. Please show them your support by voting for them before July 25th at houstonpress.com
Please take a look at the eCard below and check out the lineup of great musicians who will be performing with me on June 16th at the Iridium. I am very excited!
