benji shanks biography

"Yeah, I don't own a record that surpasses it. Widespread Panics guitar player, Jimmy Herring, caught wind of Benjis rising success and invited him for a few guest appearances with the band. But at that point, we werent even able to get in the same room together. "I wrote a very traditional country song for George Jones, who passed away before he did it. "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. If you're uncertain which one you're looking for, take a wild guess. [9] The album reached No. 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 music will live forever. If the other guys have some tunes, they should play them. You guys recorded an EP last year at the newly reopened Capricorn studios, where so much great music by Marshall Tucker, the Allman Brothers Band and many others was recorded. 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). Marlena Swartz I love it dearly. 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. They were the best band on the ship, and there were many. Ive got everything we need and more.' Aug 2, 2022. The Southern rock group has continued to make music despite COVID-19, including a new studio album, You Hear Georgia, which is out today. Was there a catalyst that sparked the need to put your thoughts to words for this song? Then all I needed to do is write some songs to sing." It made sense to go to the studio, where some of the songs were originally recorded. Most days you can find in the studio and on tour with Kristian Bush. Starr: No. They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. 10:23 am, Sir Adam the Great Add or change photo on IMDbPro Add to The song is "Not Fade Away" (live at The Tabernacle) from our concert film and live I think the songs are better now. That first song sounds great. The name of the band was called Spit Shine, a small punk rock band out of Rome high school. Benji Shanks is long time buddy of mine. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. The band, fronted by guitarist/singer/songwriter Charlie Starr, has honed their unique American blend with relentless touring, a hardcore work ethic and a continuing stream of excellent releases. I picked up an old Martin that Dave had in the control room and he said, 'Thats in the David Crosby Guinevere tuning. February 25, 2021 @ Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). I thought, 'I'm not the best singer, but I can sing a song.' Whats your take on putting everything fricking thing on the rack? The tone was a little brighter and a little cleaner, but just as fabulous. All Credits Composer Director Surprised to see a Brown Fender behind his amps stage covering. [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. So we started to work on some livestream-type things. That was awesome, thanks for posting that. Picking up the guitar at the age of 13, Shanks started taking guitar lessons. "But Dickey was playing a little more laid back at times and bringing a little more country, which developed later, with Blue Sky and Ramblin Man. Crossed paths with Benji back in 2015 or so when he was on tour with Kristian Bush of Sugarland fame. Their second album released in 2009, Little Piece of Dixie. So thats the South Im talking about. "Duane played with such ferocity at such a young age. This leadership was later made official with two additional leader positions. The. 7:51 pm. in a show in tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. January 20th 2023. 8:56 pm. Schnelkc "And the songs themselves are just unbeatable, but there was only one single, Tumbling Dice. WebBlackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. We were in our twenties, so we just went nuts. The Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tones on those records are just unbeatable. Starr: My 1956 Les Paul Jr. I remembered movies over the years that have sort of belittled Southern people and stereotyped the Southern guy as being a toothless, inbred who is full of hate. [10] The album landed at No. But it definitely had its challenges because it was a new world. Prestons known Richard (Turner, bassist) since high school. How would you describe the greatness of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts? Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23WnzhkuflE, Brad Wireman Kip Zartman England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Their second album released in 2009, Little Piece of Dixie. I havent seen Blackberry Smoke since but like you, have been listening to a lot of their music, Ben Collinge But what he brought to the Brothers was just that he was on fire and he was always that way. A powerless superhero and family patriarch in an Australian suburb lives a not-so-secret identity as Koala Man while possessing a burning passion to snuff out petty crime and bring order to the community. I was fascinated with these guys that just wrote songs and went out and played them. How did that develop? Benji and I have been playing together as a duo for about 15 years and are just kindred spirits. It's not heavy metal, but it's got this aggressive sound and every element was just so stellar. I know what I'll be doing that night. ", "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. They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. I heard you explain the new albums title song, You Hear Georgia, as being lyrically about those of us from the South sometimes being misunderstood and then it expanded to discord among folks in general. Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel. Did you feel that working with him? "Yeah, but my wife doesn't fall for the, 'Hey, they're tools, Honey' bit. It's sort of frightening to think this guy who wrote Communication Breakdown also wrote The Rain Song, and he can convey that to these other guys in advance, and they capture it on tape. Benji is one of the most modest, amazing guitar players I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Nicolas Racine As Shanks plays the Atlanta music circuit and gains the attention of legendary musicians, Atlanta Benji fans cant wait to see what band he will choose next. ", I don't know if I could play the music I play without Zeppelin II, Revolver or At Fillmore East. Keep on tellin' yourself. Join Facebook to connect with Benji Shanks and others you may know. February 26, 2021 @ "Yeah. Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree Followers Timm We like the records we make and we dont feel like we sacrifice our integrity to try and step a rung higher on the ladder. Havent seen them yet but have heard theyre excellent. My buddy Dave Lizmi from The Four Horsemen and I started banging these riffs back and forth, and it evolved from that. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. So thats the South Im talking about. ArtsATL: I heard you explain the new albums title song, You Hear Georgia, as being lyrically about those of us from the South sometimes being misunderstood and then it expanded to discord among folks in general. Track List: 1. February 25, 2021 @ They even offered most of their backline to us if we preferred. Their 2018 album Find a Light went #3, and became their 3rd consecutive album to hit #1 in rock as well. Benji said, I like playing with Justin Brogdon. With a loud amplifier, it's an animal because it wants to take off. Love their studio stuff but wondering if I just caught them on an off night or are they not great live? Blackberry Smokes Benji Shanks Provides Rig Rundown. In 2018, they added touring members Benji Shanks (guitar) and Preston Holcomb (percussion). Watching a few live clips it does seem like Benji fills the classic "utility" player position and seemingly takes more of Charlie's parts and spots than Pauls. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. February 26, 2021 @ Dickey scratches a whole different itch for me from that era of the band. I found out pretty quicklyprobably in Guitar Worldhere's the new guy, and were all going to know him. "I remember walking into the control room and listening to a playback and being blown away that it sounded as good as it did. The set list included a steady helping of Blackberry Smoke tunes, the majority of which were penned by Starr and other members of Blackberry Smoke. All rights reserved. February 25, 2021 @ Has Rick Richards ever tried to get that guitar back from you? Starr: Weve never worked with a major record label. Were you tuned in from the start that songwriting was going to be really important? I tookso many things away from that day. Thats where the first line of the song, I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. No. 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.. I think I already knew that, but it got fully confirmed. Benji has gained lots of attention in the last couple of years in his role with southern rockers Captain Soularcat and his work as a guest artist with Tishamingo . 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. one problem with the songwriting, and, the band in general, tunes are indistinguishable, and its really charley starr with backing band. Benji and I have been playing together as a duo for about 15 years and are just kindred spirits. "We all kind of want to be a three-guitar band, way down deep in our hearts, and maybe add another drummer too. Maybe let's Charlie focus more on singing/front man duties. Just what youd expect from the guys. Cant wait to hear the rest. February 25, 2021 @ But theres just something about that piece of wood that is really special to me. Were really enjoying it. ", I'm definitely not just a collector and I don't have a whole lot of mint-condition guitars. Blackberry Smoke has a new album it recorded during the pandemic and is about to begin its first tour since COVID-19 hit. But they were fine. That one is very interesting. 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. 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. So wed all turn to each other and grin to each other and be like, How weird is this? It was the new normal for sure, at that point. I wonder though, why Charlie brought another guitar player/member into the band? 12:31 am. You must log in or register to reply here. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. It all represents ongoing growth, but not any kind of radical deviation from the roots rock the band has been making for two decades. February 24, 2021 @ I'm a fan for life. "Thanks, man. Jerry Shanks was married to Billie J. We started sending little voice memos back and forth, then we got on the phone and hashed it out. Its been refinished, the head has broken and its got replacement parts. 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. This album marks the bands 20th anniversary. When I was a kid, my dad would grab his acoustic guitar and sing these bluegrass songs, and thats what I wanted to do. This feat was matched in 2016 with Like an Arrow. After college, Shanks left Rome for the Atlanta Institute of Music, where he finished his associates degree in guitar theory. One of the best. 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. "Most of my slide playing is in open G, and I love playing with tunings. And she was quick to chastise me or any others for doing such. Drake White just completely stole the show when he opened. Eventually we started to do some drive-in shows as those became the new model. Hes a sweetener, who adds so much to what is already there. Then theres other parts of the song which are addressing the discourse in the world right now and some of the lyrics, like, . They have released seven studio albums, two live albums and five extended plays. Lets finish the Hall of Fame talk with Jimmy Page, another of your great influences. How does that change things? Following Soularcat on the road in 2005, was some of the best memories of music Ive ever had, said band groupie Lonnie Robinson. So, its just a very personal thing as to whichever guitar speaks to you. Its obviously a rough and tumble world, and theres a lot of bad people. February 26, 2021 @ Didnt care much for their earlier stuff but this song rocks. Additional members wouldntve given me a start. 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.". I don't know if I could play the music I play without any of those records. A lot of times songs will just plop out, fully formedand that's a good example.". And doing them really reminded me of how much I love playing music in this band because the enjoyment really comes from playing the songs. Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. Jerry A Shanks of Rockwall County, Texas was born c. 1940. August 22, 2021 @ We were so far away from the audience, which was all cars. And always in open tuning, right? I wonder how that went down with current longtime member/guitar/vocalist - Paul Jackson? I love these guys. You recently added Benji Shanks as a third guitarist. 7:51 am. I'm definitely not just a collector and I don't have a whole lot of mint-condition guitars. I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. Schnelkc With pandemic restrictions easing, Blackberry Smoke begins a robust summer tour this weekend that will bring it to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on August 21. WebExplore Benji Shanks's discography including top tracks, albums, and reviews. Ill never pass up a chance to see these guys within a few hours drive. I wanted to play like Jimmy Page, Gary Rossington, Duane Allman and Dickey Bettsand then it came back around, thanks to those songwriters. Debbie. 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. Saw Blackberry Smoke in the UK though and still thought they kicked ass. The band spent much of the summer of 2016 on tour with Gov't Mule. 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. Web4,340 Followers, 1,308 Following, 458 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Benji Shanks (@shanksforeverything) In 2007, Shanks played with several Atlanta bands like Tishamingo, Outformation, and The Last Walts Ensemble, making ends meet by playing with as many musicians as time would allow 7 days a week. And I love all his P90s! Dawg Fan I called Jimmy (Hall) and asked if hed want to do some Wet Willie tunes. His addition gives Blackberry Smoke a three-guitar lineup, teaming with Starr and Paul Jackson. 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 With their own careers to keep up with as well, you may not see them out on the road. Do not miss it the show I saw here recently was only $45 and well worth every cent. "That was great! It sounds like they were doing things they weren't supposed to be doing. "Yeah, I'm blaming my lack of slide playing ability on Jimmy Page!". 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. You were once quoted as saying, I cant be grown up on the road. Do you think you did any growing up being off the road? Well, there was really nothing we could do. I agree it was a little surprising to add a 3rd player - Paul is a great rhythm player and of course singer who is essential to their sound. Blackberry Smoke Announces New Album, New Members, Country Fans Arent Unwitting Pawns (a Response to Ketch Secor & NYT), Brennen Leigh Aint Through Honky Tonkin Yet, Newest Adds to Saving Country Musics Top 25 Current Playlist (#118), Why Charley Pride Took So Long to Become a Grand Ole Opry Member. It really is like another voice singing. 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.

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