Ben Smith- Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Tom Camlin- Lead Guitar
Cory Nue- Bass guitar
Justin Holmes- Drums/Percussion
Ben Smith's Music
Influences
Johnny Cash, Nora Jones, Mat Kearney, Amos Lee, Ryan Adams, Townze Van Zandnt, Sister Hazel, Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Kris Kristopherson, John Denver, John Prine, Ray Charles, Bob Marley, Bob Schnieder, Todd Schnieder, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, Black Crowes, Counting Crows, Old Crow Medicine Show, Reckless Kelly, George Strait, Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark, Hank Willliams Sr, Bob Wills, Old fun Motown and Swing music.
Sounds Like
Alt- Country with a little bit of a Jack Johnson vibe...
Ben Smith adds a refreshing amount of originality, substance, humor and style into the Texas music palette. Part of his strory started at work in his hometown of Gainesville, TX when Ben was sixteen. One day he had a farming accident that should have killed or seriously disabled him. Though flipping a 6,000 pound tractor completely upside down is not usually viewed as a fortunate event, Ben considered it the luckiest day of his life.
Tightly pinned underneath the massive tractor with its wheels spinning and fluids leaking onto the ground, Ben was stuck but alive. However, the tractor landed on a barb wire fence line that had been burned around to rid the brush the day before… and when the spilling fuel reached some smoldering coals, it burst into flames. Terrified at the prospect of being burned alive, in an adrenaline-fueled rush, Ben managed to shove himself out from under the tractor before the fire spread to him, walking away with only some scrapes and a fractured tailbone. The next morning, Ben’s breakfast tasted like nothing he had ever imagined before. He felt a deep, simple appreciation for things that few people ever experience, and he hoped he could forever hold onto that perspective.
Two years later, Ben found a new way to hold onto it when he began writing songs and performing them live. "I remember my first gig when I was in college at Texas A&M. I had a blast and so did the crowd. I just made $60, but I remember going to the store the next day and loading up on groceries with that $60 and thinking how I had just created these songs, went out with a guitar one night, sang them, and out of thin air, just turned that passion into more than enough food for a week. Haha! I felt like my music career had really come full circle!" Ben laughs.
Since then, Ben has performed on stages around Texas, in California, Nashville,TN and beyond. This year, he has been put on the 2010 line-up for the Aunnual Big Ski Trip Musicfest in Steamboat, Coloardo, a milestone for Texas musicians. Though many of his fans are describing his latest music as, "like a country Jack Johnson," his own blend of Alt-Country and Indie Acoustic influences combined with his varying songwriting styles has led Ben Smith to become a unique voice and an exceptional artist by any music scene's standards.
Swinging back and forth between Country and a more Acoustic Indie Rock sound, Ben decided to title his latest album, "Pendulum" Which was released in may 2009.
Wanna go skiing this winter with Ben and all your favorite Texas artists? Click below...
Well what do you think Mr. Ben? we only have three days to get this duet together :) I want to sing with you...i think we could make a little magic together...maybe a duet in the future? I know i am getting a little crazy!
HEY BEN! I wanted to come see ya live. Haha we all got a private preview session at the lake but, I wanna see ya play a show. So is your show you have saturday one minors can get into?
Yep, I just moved here and I LOVE it. I just saw Casey Donahew and Randy Rogers at the Rose, ... there's a couple other places I've heard of..haven't been yet thou. Shooters!..that's easy to remember. It's in Boulder, I hear. check it out!
Hey, It was good getting caught up with you the other day! You are playing in Fort Worth on my birthday, so looks like I will finally catch the show. Hope all is well.
One of the photogs that I work with is out of fort worth:) So I might come out that way, if so we need to meet up!!!... As for the goodies... I will go to the post office at lunch and mail them. Life must be rough without them!!!
Aww shucks..your show today was an early one. Had to work earlier today. Thought you were playing tonight. I'll make it back to one of your shows hopefully sooner than later. Happy 4th! :)
