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Ben Bedford
Americana / Folk

1 Album, Song and Artist on FOLK-DJ Charts 01/09!



SPRINGFIELD, Illinois
United States

Profile Views:  49857




Last Login:  11/19/2009
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   Ben Bedford: General Info
Member Since11/2/2006
Band Websitehttp://www.benbedford.com
Band MembersWhen on tour, Ben Bedford usually performs solo or with his lovely wife, Kari, on harmony vocals. He has now recorded two albums, "Lincoln's Man" and "Land of the Shadows" with guitar and Dobro wizard Chas Williams producing and playing. Some other wonderful musicians who have added their talents to his recordings include Peter Young, David Spicher, Ron De la Vega, Tammy Rogers, Joey Schmidt, Sally Barris and Jon Randall.
InfluencesGuy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Gordon Lightfoot, Richard Shindell, The Beatles, Tom Irwin, Cormac McCarthy, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, John Steinbeck, Kari(my wife), Patty Griffin, Bill Morrissey, Norman Blake, Prof. John Buckler, Jack London, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Troy Carlson, Sally Barris, Tony Rice, Emily and Annelise, Doc Watson, Billy Joe Shaver, Slaid Cleaves, Diana Jones, Richard Thompson, Chas Williams, Abraham Lincoln, Nanci Griffith, David Olney, Son House, Johnny Cash, Lyle Lovett, Dave Alvin, My Momma and Daddy, Dorothea Lange, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler, John Prine, Willie Nelson, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen, Kris Kristofferson, Big Bird, The Carter Family, J.R.R. Tolkein, Richard Buckner, Hank Williams, Albrecht Durer, The Battle of Chancellorsville, Jason Eklund, Wilbur my dog, The Sangamon River
Sounds LikeA medieval siege weapon on a rotary phone.
Record LabelWaterbug Records/Hopeful Sky Records
Type of LabelIndie


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   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Nov 20 2009 8:00P
Wealthy Theater Front Studio w/ Josh Rose Grand Rapids, Michigan
Nov 21 2009 8:00P
Stage 1210 Old Town Lansing, Michigan
Nov 22 2009 7:30P
Foundry Hall South Haven, Michigan
Nov 27 2009 7:00P
It’s All About Wine Springfield, Illinois
Dec 1 2009 8:00P
Norb Andy’s Springfield, Illinois
Dec 2 2009 7:00P
The Old State Capitol Springfield, Illinois
Dec 6 2009 4:00P
Private Event Springfield, Illinois
Dec 10 2009 8:00P
Marly’s with Micah Walk and Tom Irwin Springfield, Illinois
Dec 12 2009 8:00P
Picasso’s St. Charles, Missouri
Dec 15 2009 8:00P
Norb Andy’s Springfield, Illinois
Dec 31 2009 7:00P
First Night Celebration-tentative Springfield, Illinois
Jan 9 2010 7:00P
Springfield Unity Church Concert Series Springfield, Illinois
Jan 28 2010 7:00P
Aroma Cafe Champaign, Illinois
Feb 18 2010 7:00P
Folk Alliance International Memphis, Tennessee
Feb 19 2010 7:00P
Folk Alliance International Memphis, Tennessee
Feb 20 2010 7:00P
Folk Alliance International Memphis, Tennessee
Mar 13 2010 8:00P
Cinevigo- time tba Gennevilliers, France
Mar 14 2010 8:00P
Cabbage Patch Pub-Twickenham Folk Club Twickenham, London and South East
Mar 16 2010 8:00P
Montrose Folk Club Montrose, Scotland
Apr 10 2010 8:00P
House Concert Nanjemoy, Maryland
Apr 11 2010 4:00P
Friendship House Concerts Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apr 24 2010 10:00A
The Saint’s Rest Grinnell, Iowa
Apr 30 2010 8:00P
The Focal Point- with Noah Earle Maplewood (St. Louis), Missouri
May 15 2010 7:30P
The Hickory Ridge Coffee House Concert Series-Tentative Dickson Mounds, Illinois
Jun 4 2010 12:00P
Eat to the Beat Concert Series Champaign, Illinois
Jun 11 2010 7:00P
Nor-east’r Music and Art Festival-showtime tba Mio, Michigan
Jun 12 2010 7:00P
Nor-east’r Music and Art Festival-showtime tba Mio, Michigan
Jun 13 2010 7:00P
Nor-east’r Music and Art Festival-showtime tba Mio, Michigan

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   About Ben Bedford
With the release of his debut album, Lincoln's Man, Ben Bedford proves that one need not experience something firsthand to write about it. From life as a Confederate soldier's wife to modern problems such as homelessness, Bedford takes the listener on a journey across the landscape of American humanity. Poignant but never sentimental, his songs are portraits which capture the life and vitality of his characters much like an artist, while illuminating universal themes of joy, struggle, death and betrayal.

A storyteller from the young age of 3, Bedford began by dictating stories to his parents before he could hold a pen. He continued to write short stories into his early teens. He picked up the guitar at the age of 14 after watching a friend play on a camping trip. In high school Bedford explored many different genres of music, but his world exploded when he discovered his mom's Gordon Lightfoot collection and then began a foray into the world of folk and Americana that included artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Richard Shindell, and Patty Griffin. The work of these artists resonated with Bedford and inspired him to try his hand at songwriting.

In 2000, Bedford entered the University of Illinois in Urbana with intentions of becoming a history professor. While he finished his degree, he was sidetracked by his love of music and writing. The history lectures and texts instilled in Bedford a fascination with gritty human truths and the plight of the common man/woman through the ages. Bedford has used that love of the past to imbue his characters with a sense of historical reality, yet maintain a heightened emotional and human quality.

Lincoln's Man was released to radio (U.S./Europe/Canada/Australia) January 29, 2008 on his own label, Hopeful Sky Records and reached number eight on the national Folk-DJ charts in February. The title track peaked at number three the same month. Bedford's second album, Land of the Shadows, was the number one album for January 2009 with three songs charting in the top ten, also making Bedford the number one artist.

Both albums are available for purchase at several locations on the web, including his website BENBEDFORD.COM.


   Ben Bedford's Friend Space (Top 34)
Ben Bedford has 1191 friends.
 Kari Abate-Bedford 


 Dancing Anarchist 


 Chas Williams 


 Noah Earle 


 Eva Hillered 


 Americana Woman 


 DOUG LANG 


 Bill and Kate Isles 


 Andrew Calhoun 


 Sally 


 Richard Berman 


 Michael Friedman 


 Euless Girl 


 Caleb Travers 


 Kevin Bilchik 


 Ann Bova 


 Annika Fehling 


 Sara Littecke 


 jordan 


 Matt J 


 Erika Lindgren 


 Cecilia 


 Lucas Westcott 


 Cookie 


 Jim 


 Peter Young 


 Patrick J 


 amen 


 Josh Rose 


 The Gordons 


 Jack Williams 


 3 Penny Acre 


 K.C. Clifford 


 Adam Klein 





Ben Bedford's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 377 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Sue Fink

Sue Fink



Oct 22 2009 8:20 PM

Hey, Ben!  I've been thinking about you because FARM was just a few weeks ago (I was only there for 1 night this time due to a gig, & I didn't see your name in the book) and also, there's a new Amelia Earheart movie coming out, and you have that song!

Thus Sunday (10/25) I'm having a CD Release Show in Chicago, details on my calendar if you're interested & up that-a-way... hope all's well w/you!
best,
Sue
Shannon Wurst

Shannon Wurst



Oct 20 2009 2:55 AM

Ben,
You sounded great this weekend at SERFA! Can't wait to hear you again!

Shannon
Mel Annala

Mel Annala



Oct 19 2009 11:37 PM

Hi Ben, 

I hope all your musical travels are going well.  I still can't get enough of "Lincoln's Man".  Great album.  Keep up the good work and take care.

Mel
Louise Mosrie

Louise Mosrie



Oct 14 2009 3:39 AM

Thanks Ben! I really enjoy your music. Best of luck to you!

cheers, Louise
Steve Winham

Steve Winham



Oct 12 2009 10:38 PM

Hey, I've just added my first video, love to know what you think?. Steve x
Steve Kelly

Steve Kelly



Oct 5 2009 2:40 AM

Many thanks for the add, the love and the musical connection Ben.
May I wish you every success.
Love
St.Eve


Quantcast
Derek Blythe

Derek Blythe



Oct 4 2009 10:43 PM

Thanks for the add! I work at WUWF-TV and saw you a radiolive. Great show!
Richard Burr

Richard Burr



Oct 4 2009 10:43 PM

very nice tunes Ben - thanks for stopping by

Richard
Caprice

Caprice



Oct 4 2009 10:43 PM





Tina

Tina Lowells



Sep 21 2009 3:26 PM

you rock! keep rockin! <3<3
Massimo Ferro

Massimo Ferro



Sep 17 2009 6:44 PM

Hi Ben
thank you so much for the add. I'm glad to know you appreciate I'm playing your music in my radio show here!
Compliments for your new album and all the best from Italy.
MF


http://ww.highway61.it
Neal

Neal Barbieri
Online Now!


Sep 4 2009 7:39 PM

Ciao,Ben               
Thank you for the add and the friendship.    
you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice.
compliments  ..really.  you are one of my prefeitis,
I feel great admiration for you, 
be really one whom is worth rather a lot!
I hope to listen soon to you, in italy ..
talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music
all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day  
neal
Sirob

Sirob



Sep 4 2009 7:39 PM

thancks for the add!
Tina

Tina Lowells



Aug 31 2009 5:42 PM

Just Came by to say HI! love the music
andreas kuemmert

andreas kuemmert



Aug 28 2009 10:49 PM

thanks for the friendship!



Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Aug 28 2009 10:48 PM

hi ben. got you on my show again tomorrow night thursday 7-9pm uk time www.millsideradio.co.uk/listenonline cheers from england
Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Aug 28 2009 10:48 PM

hi ben. check out tonights playlist on my latest blog if you get a minute
regards
roy
DOUG LANG

DOUG LANG



Jul 30 2009 4:01 AM

Good spending some time with you
and Kari and the girls up here in
Vancouver. Hope you have a great time
in Darby. Did you buy yourself
some deer whistles? If not, you
can get them in Darby at Mr. T's,
dirt cheap. Happy trails. DL
Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Jul 18 2009 10:42 PM

me too ben, keep me informed of the tour dates..
Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Jul 14 2009 9:23 PM

ben on my show wednesday 7-10pm uk time www.sherwoodradio.com
Faber Optimé

Faber Optimé



Jul 12 2009 3:34 AM

Hey there,

Here's one from left field...

Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear threat?

A while ago I found stuff that inspired me to make this film:

Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella

Both artistic (ensure you get the background music!) and educational, it primarily comprises official British government civil defence advice.

Though source materials are quite aged, much remains relevant today.

I encourage all to visit the YouTube page to learn more (Show support! Rate! Comment!) and responsibly circulate as widely as possible, here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4

Help to raise awareness.

Say have you checked out my web site recently?

Take care and keep in touch.

Best,
Faber.

"Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."

Sara Littecke

Sara Littecke



Jul 9 2009 2:35 PM

Hej Ben! How are u? It's been so long. Sitting in London listening to u on Spotify! Great fun:) Hope we can write some more some time. Maybe Ireland in a year? Take care, Love Sara
Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Jul 7 2009 7:20 AM

hi ben, 3 tracks from your cd as my featured album wednesday 8th july 7pm uk time. www.sherwoodradio.com
pete sander

pete sander



Jul 4 2009 8:32 PM

just stopped by and heard your new tunes. Very nice. I just released a cd on bluestream records and can't wait to hear what people thinks. Keep the good music comming from springfield.....
Roy on the radio

Roy on the radio



Jul 3 2009 6:30 PM

hi ben, thanks for the cd, lovely album. i'm playing 3 tracks as my featured album next wednesday on my show 'strange brew' at www.sherwoodradio.com 7pm uk time. hope you can spread the word. cheers
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