6:16 pm, Just saw Blackberry smoke here in Myrtle Beach at bike week and they are at there best, very professional, Denise Thatcher Initially, the goal was simply to capture some cool video footage while recording some covers live for the tour. Ill never pass up a chance to see these guys within a few hours drive. But then it started to grow. Surprised to see a Brown Fender behind his amps stage covering. And it made me smile. We started sending little voice memos back and forth, then we got on the phone and hashed it out. Jamey Johnson (Charlie Starr) 6. share setlist Let Me Down Easy (Blackberry Smoke song) Play Video; Ought to So we never had anyone breathing down our collective neck, trying to make us fit. And, because of that, we didnt have to hear anyone telling us, You have to cut your hair or You have to play a certain kind of song, because thats whats popular. Weve always just been able to govern ourselves. Benji Shanks / @shanksforeverything gives an inside look at his touring rig. Morningside (Charlie Starr, Nick Perri) 9. August 22, 2021 @ September 11, 2021 @ Shanks 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. Also fantastic live. I saw these dudes live about 8 years ago in Boston and found them kind of boring in concert. I wondered whether people around the world were truly hearing what he was saying or just. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Its been on every one of our records. He never gets in a hurry. Maybe let's Charlie focus more on singing/front man duties. I have others which are nicer, and its not terribly valuable. Die hard fan, Jillian Franz says, it doesnt matter who Benji is playing for, he makes every band he plays with sound amazing, I just cant wait to see him again., Guitar prodogy of Rome, Georgia gets recognised. Crossed paths with Benji back in 2015 or so when he was on tour with Kristian Bush of Sugarland fame. It's not heavy metal, but it's got this aggressive sound and every element was just so stellar. Also joining the band for the album are The Black Bettys. Fillmore East is one long guitar lesson. 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. He had one that was very special, but it wasnt that one. (1-57 of 57) Year. last year, and collaborated with recent Grammy Award winner Jimmy Hall, who led the Capricorn band Wet Willie. Shortly after the summer job as guitar tech for the Black Crows, Benji was invited to a gig on Nassau Island where he played with the legendary Chuck Levelle from the Rolling Stones, and Butch Trucks from the Allman Bros. band. That's completely accidental, butwe've absorbed the music of the Band, Little Feat and many others. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. Jerry A Shanks of Rockwall County, Texas was born c. 1940. We missed having them close and being able to hear them, too. Warren Haynes (Charlie Starr, Warren Haynes) 7. Its been refinished, the head has broken and its got replacement parts. Had never heard them before, really impressive. We didn't even talk about what we were writing for, but I played it for Dave Cobb, when we were doing pre-production over the phone. Starr: My 1956 Les Paul Jr. This was good enough to put it also at No. WebView the profiles of people named Benji Shanks. My 1956 Les Paul Jr. He recently sat down with ArtsATL to discuss how the band managed a year-plus of COVID-19 lockdown through new music, two new members, livestream performances and a series of drive-in concerts. "Absolutely! Tell me about that. Blackberry Smoke has much to celebrate. WebCharlie and Benji never disappoint! Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. To watch him construct a solo is mind blowing. You can get so many different sounds with a single-pickup guitar, just the way where you pick the strings. Benji Shanks - IMDb WebAverage setlist for tour: Acoustic Shows featuring Benji Shanks. 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. Nancy Shanks - Wikipedia Prestons known Richard (Turner, bassist) since high school. We were in our twenties, so we just went nuts. Thats where the first line of the song, I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. Am I alone in wanting to hear people get rowdy in the studio and cut that sh*t live like God intended? February 25, 2021 @ I wanted to play like Jimmy Page, Gary Rossington, Duane Allman and Dickey Bettsand then it came back around, thanks to those songwriters. ArtsATL: How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? [3] They have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and South America. "That was great! 7:56 am. 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. But his solo on Not My Cross to Bear or You Dont Love Me is not laid back at all. He said, Absolutely. Of course, we also did some Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, as well as paid homage to Little Richard. 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. I wonder though, why Charlie brought another guitar player/member into the band? Benji Shanks (Blackberry Smoke) - Rig Rundown | The Gear Page Currently, Benji still lives in Atlanta with his girlfriend and is playing guitar with the Justin Brogdon band, and the Last Walts Ensemble. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. I absolutely agree! "Yeah, but my wife doesn't fall for the, 'Hey, they're tools, Honey' bit. That one is very interesting. Then theres other parts of the song which are addressing the discourse in the world right now and some of the lyrics, like, We used to go toe to toe, but my heart aint in no mo, refer to the fact Im so tired of fighting. They even offered most of their backline to us if we preferred. 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. He knows what to play and not to play, but with three guitars, we do talk about the parts quite a bit, about staying out of each other's lane. Absolutely live in one afternoon. February 25, 2021 @ Be the first to contribute! Jerry Shanks was married to Billie J. Its obviously a rough and tumble world, and theres a lot of bad people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23WnzhkuflE, Brad Wireman It's a challenge, you can't be anywhere near your amp. The band released its sixth studio album, Find A Light, on December 19, 2018. When you have that freedom, it comes pretty easy. A P90 is really responsive as to where you put your volume knob, especially if you're playing through a really loud amplifier, when you come down with it, you can get really into Tele territory. 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. He was in The Grapes, a long-running and great Atlanta jam band. Were you tuned in from the start that songwriting was going to be really important? Advertisement Benjis rig rundown gets underway with a look at his pedalboard Billy is the best. I have others which are nicer, and its not terribly valuable. 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. Theres a lot of love there. WebBenji Shanks - Lead/slide Guitar. Credits. With Michael Cusack, Sarah Snook, Demi Lardner, Hugh Jackman. Charlie Starr & Benji Shanks (Blackberry Smoke) Bring February 28, 2021 @ Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Longtime fans of Blackberry Smoke filled The Funky Biscuit to capacity for An Evening With Charlie Starr and Benji Shanks, a set of four shows over two nights on June 5 & 6 at the Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida. He started playing percussion on the new album. Schnelkc I heard Warren playing slide and went, 'Oh, my God, who is that? Concert number five. Blackberry Smokes Benji Shanks Provides Rig Rundown "A little of both. Picking up the guitar at the age of 13, Shanks started taking guitar lessons. "Even when he comes in on Layla, it's like, 'Oh, Duane's here.' Preston came after we made, , our last album. 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. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Charlie Starr Wiki | Age and Net Worth 2023 | Wife | Songs - February 27, 2021 @ ArtsATL: What would you say the world needs a little more of right now? Trig, you play with sticks. How does that change things? To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the band and re-establish their Southern roots, Georgia-based Southern rock badasses Blackberry Smoke will be releasing their latest record called You Hear Georgia on May 28th. 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. ArtsATL: One of the songs was Wet Willies Keep on Smilin. Was it as much fun to record as it appears to be by the smile on your face in the video? Do you use a lot of tunings overall? We're both big gear nerds with vintage guitars and amplifiers, and he said, 'You don't have to bring anything. Our band opened for them at The Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. All of the band members were very friendly and gracious towards us. "I love them and always have. Dawg Fan We still appreciated being able to hear them say, Thank you. Even though it seemed quite a bit downhill and far away. Im so proud of him. 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. When you have that freedom, it comes pretty easy. It all happened in one day, without planning to put it together as a project, because were not a cover band. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Jimmy was great. We pulled down a bunch of his amps and I used an old Magnatone on a song and maybe an Ampeg Gemini. May 21, 2021 @ How would you describe the greatness of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts? 7:51 am. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. I was at that show in St Pete also. Starr: Yes, that one was fantastic. 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. Jun 20, 2022. It all represents ongoing growth, but not any kind of radical deviation from the roots rock the band has been making for two decades. [18] It sold over 33k copies the first week, 12,239 copies in pure album sales. It all happened in one day, without planning to put it together as a project, because were not a cover band. Marlena Swartz 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. in a show in tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. After we went into the control room and heard it, we all said, Wow, this actually sounds great!, One of the songs was Wet Willies Keep on Smilin.. Im a terrible schoolteacher. All Over the Road has a Stones feel and that Mick Taylor slide sound; was he your main slide influence, more so than Duane Allman? Blackberry Smoke It might have been 200 people, but I thought, 'They all bought a ticket to hear our songs. 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. WebBenji Shanks Biography It looks like we don't have any Biography for Benji Shanks yet. I could say the same about Zeppelin II or Revolver or At Fillmore East. We passed it back and forth playing and when I got up to leave, he said, 'Don't forget your guitar.' 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. At one point, I decided that I hold my guitar too low to really get comfortable playing with nothing but the fingers down there.". 8:06 am. Blackberry Smoke is back on tour this fall with a stop right near me. Really hope we can quit listening to all these statist hippies before long so we can see some live music this year. 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. That was awesome, thanks for posting that. His addition gives Blackberry Smoke a three-guitar lineup, teaming with Starr and Paul Jackson. I think everybody wishes they could re-record their debut albumunless you're Led Zeppelin.. It made sense to go to the studio, where some of the songs were originally recorded. Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. My first gig was in Rome (GA) when I was 15 with a bunch of guys that seemed really old to me, they were like juniors and seniors in high school, said Shanks. February 24, 2021 @ Keep Southern Country Rock going on forever ! It helps our case.". Robert Lee Kerns- National HOG ( Harley Owners Group ) Chapter Member in Columbus, GA. " Play on Benji Shanks and BlackBerry Smoke ! 7:39 am. I'm not pretty. , which is out today. [1] Shanks was a television sports anchor at WBSG in Brunswick, Georgia and WGXA in Most days you can find in the studio and on tour with Kristian Bush. As a subscriber enjoy big savings off the shop price! If you came here from a link, please go back and correct the link for one of the heroes listed below. I prefer the P90 to a humbucker, really. "I've never really been adept at playing slide with only my fingers on my picking hands, which is obviously what Duane did. We saw them in January, 2019, on the Southern Rock Cruise. Hank Charles Starr: I was watching television one morning, drinking a cup of coffee, and I heard a fellow on the news being interviewed. 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. Jamey Johnson shows up to sing on the song Lonesome for a Livin, and Warren Haynes appears on All Rise Again. Charlie Starr also wrote with Dave Lizimi of The Four Horsemen for the first two songs of the 10-song album, and Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot for the final song, Old Scarecrow. With new music also comes a couple of new members to the group who you may notice in the promo photos for the band. 4:17 pm. I suspect theyre playing to a click, and its holding them back. WebBenji Shanks Profile: American guitarist, engineer and producer. Blackberry Smoke also managed to record the EP. It really is like another voice singing. Their 2018 album Find a Light went #3, and became their 3rd consecutive album to hit #1 in rock as well. Earlier this year, Blackberry Smoke celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band with a new album, You Hear Georgia. The band spent much of the summer of 2016 on tour with Gov't Mule. This year marks the Atlanta bands 20th anniversary together. 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). They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. "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. Kevn Kinney, Charlie Starr & More Join The Black Crowes In Alpharetta. What we get to do is not forced. to discuss how the band managed a year-plus of COVID-19 lockdown through new music, two new members, livestream performances and a series of drive-in concerts. Do you get rid of something as you get something or do you just keep acquiring? The three have done a i like BlackBerry smoke. Ginger Haycox I bought it in 1993 from Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, who are just giants to me. BA1 1UA. Does that mean the Stones are your favorite band and most important influence? Hes a great drummer. If you're uncertain which one you're looking for, take a wild guess. They were both just so fantastic.". '", 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. Its an appropriate title for the Atlanta-based group, whose sound evokes their home states rich heritage, with echoes of the Allman Brothers Band and country music mixed in lots of crunchy Rolling Stones- and Tom Petty-esque rock swagger. A couple of years ago, we were hanging out with Jamey after doing a show together and he said hed love to record together again. Did you learn anything new about yourself during the intense months of COVID? I had come out of a handful of situations playing with songwriters. Even though there were four extremely important parts in the band, it was mostly his vision, being that he produced all the records. February 25, 2021 @ 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. That was the same tour I was talking about. 3:50 pm. Sunday mornin paper said, Benji, sat in with Widespread Panic in Knoxville, Tennesee, for a song cover Panic plays called Ophelia by The Band. Best album yet. And always in open tuning, right? Learn all about Benji Shanks on AllMusic. Im going to be 69 this year and I still love to hear this band. Wonderful stuff! Benji (Shanks) said to me one night, That guitar hits every note of the rainbow. I think that describes it. 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? Hes a sweetener, who adds so much to what is already there. "We were on the phone late one night just sharing our lockdown experiences and he said, 'Man, I've been writing more songs than I ever have, because there's nothing else to do,' and I said, 'Yeah, me tooand collaborating a lot with friends who are in the same position, stuck at home. ArtsATL: And how were the drive-in shows? But is it just me or when ever I listen to alot of artists today, the music seems to drown out their voices. Benji had previously appeared on acoustic tours with Charlie Starr as an accompanist, and both were on tour with Blackberry Smoke when they paired up with the Tedeschi Trucks Band. He was in The Grapes, a long-running and great Atlanta jam band. We were so far away from the audience, which was all cars. Saw Blackberry Smoke in the UK though and still thought they kicked ass. The Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tones on those records are just unbeatable. Corncaster I saw them probably 6 or so years ago with Drake White opening, and Drake put on a better show than they did. It made sense to go to the studio, where some of the songs were originally recorded. ", Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Was waiting for Dave Cobb looking forward to this LP! While there are many great legendary guitar players that preach the Southern Rock sound, there are few as good as Benji Shanks. WebBenji. Charlie Starr: Well, there was really nothing we could do. Hey Delilah (Charlie Starr) 4. Heres how it works. [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. 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. He I'm definitely not just a collector and I don't have a whole lot of mint-condition guitars. Were really enjoying it. He and @benjispanks had all of us at the first cord! You Hear Georgia (Charlie Starr, Dave Lizmi) 3. Tell me about the guitar Billy Gibbons gave you. I had the '65 on extended loan. Initially, the goal was simply to capture some cool video footage while recording some covers live for the tour. Other people are also so influential to me. Eventually we started to do some drive-in shows as those became the new model. 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. Aug 17, 2022. February 27, 2021 @ [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]. He had one that was very special, but it wasnt that one. We missed having them close and being able to hear them, too. Do not miss it the show I saw here recently was only $45 and well worth every cent. 3:38 pm. Widespread Panics guitar player, Jimmy Herring, caught wind of Benjis rising success and invited him for a few guest appearances with the band. Bill Shanks - Wikipedia Benji is super nice and a great player! Album. 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. Benji Shanks - Biography - IMDb Benji Blackberry Smoke has a new album it recorded during the pandemic and is about to begin its first tour since COVID-19 hit. 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. ArtsATL: If you were going on an extended vacation and could only take one, which guitar would you choose? I think I already knew that, but it got fully confirmed. Other than that, I think just tremolo and reverb from that amp. Benji said, I like playing with Justin Brogdon. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. One of the best. February 26, 2021 @ 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. Coincidentally, wed been trying to come up with some ideas about promoting our summer tour, the Spirit of the South tour. You play slide just fine! If you ever get the chance to see him play, do it! "Most of my slide playing is in open G, and I love playing with tunings. "Blackberry Smoke Little Piece of Dixie:: Blogs:: Andy Whitman on Music:: Paste", "Blackberry Smoke The Whippoorwill (2012)", "Blackberry Smoke Goes #1 in Album Sales with "You Hear Georgia", "Watch Blackberry Smoke's new video & check out live pics! 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. I think they were the loudest trio I've ever seen, and he might be the best singing guitar player I've ever seen. 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. Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree Followers Timm All Rise Again feat. So having him join us was sort of inevitable. "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. You have a better excuse than most of us to keep getting guitars since it's actually your job. 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