Takes me back in the day. There was no stress or problems. February 27, 2021 @ If you ever get the chance to see him play, do it! At the drive-in shows, were people out there they were just way out there. He was in The Grapes, a long-running and great Atlanta jam band. So experience it live and be there in person for a 2023 Benji Shanks Rock concert. Were you tuned in from the start that songwriting was going to be really important? Mike What are some of your other favorite guitars? "Yes! Blackberry Smoke fit right into this organic, guitar-based group. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. During the relaxed jam session, both Starr and Shanks interacted and shared road stories both past and present. My buddy Dave Lizmi from The Four Horsemen and I started banging these riffs back and forth, and it evolved from that. I think every guitar player has that one guitar that is the one.. "But it's just a bigger, fatter tone to meeven than a humbucker. 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. You can get so many different sounds with a single-pickup guitar, just the way where you pick the strings. Prestons known Richard (Turner, bassist) since high school. It all happened in one day, without planning to put it together as a project, because were not a cover band. This feat was matched in 2016 with Like an Arrow. I think everybody wishes they could re-record their debut albumunless you're Led Zeppelin.. February 26, 2021 @ Their second album released in 2009, Little Piece of Dixie. 3:07 pm. Blackberry Smokes Benji Shanks Provides Rig Rundown. I was watching television one morning, drinking a cup of coffee, and I heard a fellow on the news being interviewed. But the Deluxe Reverb was working, so we kept using it. The studio was great, of course, and the vibe in the room is just magical. I saw them probably 6 or so years ago with Drake White opening, and Drake put on a better show than they did. Hes a sweetener, who adds so much to what is already there. There are a couple of songs that are completely live, vocal and all, including Old Enough to Know. Hes a great drummer. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. 8:27 am. In Groups: Dark Water (3) Artist [a5580126] Edit Artist Marketplace 365 For Sale Vinyl and CD Discography in a show in tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. February 24, 2021 @ 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 very fortunate to be able to see them live in a few days in Tampa. We passed it back and forth playing and when I got up to leave, he said, 'Don't forget your guitar.' I suspect theyre playing to a click, and its holding them back. I picked up an old Martin that Dave had in the control room and he said, 'Thats in the David Crosby Guinevere tuning. ArtsATL: What would you say the world needs a little more of right now? I was fascinated with these guys that just wrote songs and went out and played them. When you have that freedom, it comes pretty easy. That's completely accidental, butwe've absorbed the music of the Band, Little Feat and many others. "Back on the road, we were having lunch and I asked Billy if he had ever owned a Dan Armstrong and of course he had and loved it, so I told him about the new ones and that they sounded great. Hadn't seen it. Ive never been blown away by a support artist more than Drake White. When we finished out set they helped us clear some of our gear off the stage. Playing publicly since 2003, Benji Shanks has come to be known by frequently guest performing with some of the southeastern regions best bands. Warren Haynes (Charlie Starr, Warren Haynes) 7. The foundation is still there. All Rise Again feat. Coincidentally, wed been trying to come up with some ideas about promoting our summer tour, the Spirit of the South tour. Lonesome for a Livin feat. out there. We saw them in January, 2019, on the Southern Rock Cruise. The band spent much of the summer of 2016 on tour with Gov't Mule. 31 Comments. It was one of those truly special things that was completely spontaneous. Has Rick Richards ever tried to get that guitar back from you? To watch him construct a solo is mind blowing. The album also racked up another nearly 1 million streams its debut week. I know what I'll be doing that night. mark Is the Stones' Exile on Main St. still your favorite album? You must log in or register to reply here. I kind of use a pick and ring finger combination, like a hybrid picking thing. Hey Delilah is a great song, with a real the Band feel. It was really an easy decision. I owned a vintage one in the '90s, which had a badly repaired headstock break so I sold it, but it was so cool. Starr returned to touring solo shows earlier this year; his last solo show was in Macon, Georgia, January 15, 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on in-person live shows. ArtsATL: Blackberry Smoke also managed to record the EP Live From Capricorn Sound Studios last year, and collaborated with recent Grammy Award winner Jimmy Hall, who led the Capricorn band Wet Willie. ArtsATL: Is there anyone who stands out for you as representing the good of the South? April 8, 2021 @ 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. Did you learn anything new about yourself during the intense months of COVID? Crossed paths with Benji back in 2015 or so when he was on tour with Kristian Bush of Sugarland fame. He supported Kip Moore in the UK and again he completely stole the show. ArtsATL: Blackberry Smoke added Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb as permanent members this year. Produced by fellow Georgia native Dave Cobb, the album is all about their deep appreciation for the Peach State, especially the title track (listen below). ", "Blackberry Smoke Leave Zac Brown's Label, Ink Rounder Deal for New Album", "Blackberry Smoke: Holding All The Roses", "Album of the Month (October 2016): Blackberry Smoke, 'Like an Arrow' Read More: Album of the Month (October 2016): Blackberry Smoke, 'Like an Arrow', "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50", "Blackberry Smoke announce Homecoming: Live In Atlanta live album and film", "Blackberry Smoke To Release New Album 'You Hear Georgia' Out May 28th, Share Title Track", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Billboard 200", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Country Albums", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Americana Albums", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Heatseekers Albums", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Independent Albums", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History Rock Albums", "Official Rock & Metal Album Charts Top 40", "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40", "Country Album Chart News For October 10, 2012: Little Big Town #1 for a Month; Jerrod Niemann & Blake Shelton Debut", "The Country Album Chart Report for September 14, 2015", "Top 10 Country Albums Chart: August 28, 2017", "Top 10 Country Albums Sales Chart: November 7, 2018", "Country Music's Top 10 Albums: The Week Of July 17, 2014", "Country Bites News snippets August 18 August 24, 2014", "Blackberry Smoke Bring The Fire For Homecoming: Live in Atlanta", "Top 10 Country Albums Pure Sales Chart: November 24, 2019", "Blackberry Smoke Chart History (Country Airplay)", "Blackberry Smoke Share New Single "Ain't the Same", "CMT: Videos: Blackberry Smoke: Good One Comin' On", "CMT: Videos: Blackberry Smoke: Pretty Little Lie", "CMT: Videos: Blackberry Smoke: Shakin' Hands With The Holy Ghost", "CMT: Videos: Blackberry Smoke: Six Ways To Sunday", "Blackberry Smoke | Too High | VEVO Yahoo Screen", "CMT: Videos: Blackberry Smoke: Sunrise in Texas", https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/youll-hear-georgia-in-the-music-of-blackberry-smoke/6SBKWZQQTNFEHENBX3H7THLG24/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blackberry_Smoke&oldid=1152261565, Rock music groups from Georgia (U.S. state), Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Label: Earache Records (U.K. Europe only), This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 04:46. In 1997, Benji met singer songwriter Scott Warren (bassist and vocalist for Capt. But we also definitely missed the energy of our audiences. 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. #1. Charlie Starr: Well, there was really nothing we could do. 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 have come a long way since then. There's been an evolution of my playing and our music over the life of the band, but I don't think it's drastic, Starr says. 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? Is there anyone who stands out for you as representing the good of the South? It was fascinating to play.". How is this living in this man's brain? FELKER'S GHOST [3] They have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and South America. 7:37 pm. Keep Southern Country Rock going on forever ! Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Jerry A. Shanks. Picking up the guitar at the age of 13, Shanks started taking guitar lessons. You Hear Georgia (Charlie Starr, Dave Lizmi) 3. Starr: My 1956 Les Paul Jr. Web"Red-Haired" Shanks, commonly known as just "Red Hair", is the chief of the Red Hair Pirates and one of the Four Emperors that rule over the New World. Happy to see Hey Delilah make the cutFantastic Tune! What we get to do is not forced. Concert number five. February 24, 2021 @ Daniele I don't know if I could play the music I play without any of those records. 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. I think I already knew that, but it got fully confirmed. 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. February 26, 2021 @ I received a great education being on the road with them, something that you cant get anywhere else other than going out and being on the road and doing it. said Shanks. We've made it. Really hope we can quit listening to all these statist hippies before long so we can see some live music this year. It was a lot of fun just to be able to make music. Do you get rid of something as you get something or do you just keep acquiring? WebBlackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. They have released seven studio albums, two live albums and five extended plays. You have a better excuse than most of us to keep getting guitars since it's actually your job. I havent seen Blackberry Smoke since but like you, have been listening to a lot of their music, Ben Collinge It was one of the remaining opportunities to see Starr and Shanks before they hit the road along with the rest of Blackberry Smoke as they head out on a U.S./Canada tour starting in mid-June that will carry them all the way to late October this year. Was it as much fun to record as it appears to be by the smile on your face in the video? It's not heavy metal, but it's got this aggressive sound and every element was just so stellar. Did you see Charlie play lead on Jesses song here? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23WnzhkuflE, Brad Wireman Enjoy. "Duane played with such ferocity at such a young age. ArtsATL: 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? Benji is one of the most modest, amazing guitar players I have ever had the opportunity to meet. We all love those because of Keith Richards and Joe Perry. Billy is the best. 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 @ 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. They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. WebBenji Shanks - Lead/slide Guitar. last year, and collaborated with recent Grammy Award winner Jimmy Hall, who led the Capricorn band Wet Willie. ArtsATL: Has Rick Richards ever tried to get that guitar back from you? 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. 9:16 am. WebOriginally, Benji did not want Seaside to have a leader or a clear power structure. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I wondered whether people around the world were truly hearing what he was saying or just how he was saying it. 6:16 pm, Just saw Blackberry smoke here in Myrtle Beach at bike week and they are at there best, very professional, Denise Thatcher And that's what we did. We missed having them close and being able to hear them, too. BBS Rock! Fillmore East is one long guitar lesson. like the music, but would actually like to hear the singer through the WHOLE SONG and not just part of it. And I love all his P90s! 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. With a loud amplifier, it's an animal because it wants to take off. Didnt care much for their earlier stuff but this song rocks. "It's a reissue Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar. eve never worked with a major record label. !Really stole the show at the Billy Gibbons Guitar Show deal, I thought. The only drawback was we had to do it long distance, because it wasnt a good time to travel. "Most of my slide playing is in open G, and I love playing with tunings. "Yeah, I'm blaming my lack of slide playing ability on Jimmy Page!". Starr: Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. Am I alone in wanting to hear people get rowdy in the studio and cut that sh*t live like God intended? The song is "Not Fade Away" (live at The Tabernacle) from our concert film and live Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or Benji Graduated high school and went to school at Berry College for a year, when he got a job working at the local music store as a music teacher. Schnelkc Fillmore East is one long guitar lesson.". You know all the shaky stuff youd miss if it wasnt there and would cause you to say, Somethings missing. Preston and Britt make a good team playing together. "It would be a lie to say the first day, but the first time we sold out a headlining club show playing our musicthey're there to see us, not some band were opening for. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. But it definitely had its challenges because it was a new world. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. WebBenji Shanks Profile: American guitarist, engineer and producer. The one youre talking about is a refinished '56 and it's really a Frankenstein, and it's the best-sounding guitar I've ever owned. (1-57 of 57) Year. Currently, Benji still lives in Atlanta with his girlfriend and is playing guitar with the Justin Brogdon band, and the Last Walts Ensemble. 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. He had siblings Robert Ian Shanks, Margaret Bain Shanks, Charles Alex Shanks, Donald Mckenzie Shanks, and Bruce Mckenzie Shanks. February 28, 2021 @ Old Enough to Know (Charlie Starr, Travis Meadows) 8. It's just magical. A lot of people have asked if that was the biggest crowd Ive played to, and while it was not necessarily so in terms of the number of people there, in terms of the energy that you felt when you walked out on that stage, Ive never felt that kind of energy before playing in front of a crowd of people, said Shanks. 7:51 pm. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. In my pedalboard, I have a Fulltone Supa Trem mach one that I love.". "Yeah, I don't own a record that surpasses it. Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. Corncaster 4:47 am. I heard Warren playing slide and went, 'Oh, my God, who is that? "I think Derek Trucks is the greatest guitar player Ive ever played with. Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted. He can play with anybody in any situation and he always just does what Warren Haynes does, and it always works and it always rules. 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. 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. Donald Mckenzie Shanks of Bendigo Australia was born in 1910 to Sybil Mary (Hennessy) Shanks and Robert James Shanks. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. Streaming in June: Underground Railroad, Sons of Sam and much more, Review: With pandemic restrictions eased, ASO lets the emotions ring out, Photo gallery: Taylor Swift (and her Swifties) take over Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Review: ASO and Chorus deliver powerful version of A Sea Symphony. Track List: 1. Tell me about that. 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. What prompted that decision? February 25, 2021 @ I'm a fan for life. Blackberry Smoke was the last band I saw live, the day before everything shut down here in Quebec. February 26, 2021 @ I'm not pretty. Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. 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.". Wonderful stuff! 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. Thats not an uncommon situation. I started asking myself, Where does it go from here? Eventually we started to do some drive-in shows as those became the new model. News Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Benji is doing a fine job presently with Blackbery Smoke ! Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, I tookso many things away from that day. 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. 9:39 am. 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. The album was produced by Dave Cobb and also features appearances by Jamey Johnson and Warren Haynes. I love this band, also love when Black Bettys performing with the band. Going over Listening to our first album is hard to do, because we were a brand-new band and pretty green, but I still hear some elements from it today. WebCharlie and Benji never disappoint! Blackberry Smoke also managed to record the EP. Sunday mornin paper said, Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). "That was great! We drank and did drugs and had a blast. And he remembers that quietly fertile, dynamic rock era with fondness. The Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tones on those records are just unbeatable. Without a doubt. He's not trying to impress you with his chops, speed or prowess. Ill never pass up a chance to see these guys within a few hours drive. Their 2018 album Find a Light went #3, and became their 3rd consecutive album to hit #1 in rock as well. I prefer the P90 to a humbucker, really. February 25, 2021 @ Met him last month and he gave me a stage tour, free tickets and backstage passes. I could watch \u0026 listen to him play for days! 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. I wonder how that went down with current longtime member/guitar/vocalist - Paul Jackson? Hes a great drummer. When you have that freedom, it comes pretty easy. Then theres other parts of the song which are addressing the discourse in the world right now and some of the lyrics, like, . 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. But theres just something about that piece of wood that is really special to me. 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. Heres how it works. Learn all about Benji Shanks on AllMusic. Shanks was a born into a Jewish family in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1930. has been featured by Paste magazine and other publications.[1][2]. WebBenji. 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. Saw Blackberry Smoke in the UK though and still thought they kicked ass. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. If you came here from a link, please go back and correct the link for one of the heroes listed below. , which is out today. "I've never really been adept at playing slide with only my fingers on my picking hands, which is obviously what Duane did. The set also included a few covers, including It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, a Bob Dylan classic that caught the attention of the crowd as the dined and drank while they entertained. Dawg Fan [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]. The two have played together outside of Blackberry Smoke before, several times in years past, so seeing both musicians smiling and genuinely having a good time was a welcome site to those who have missed live, in-person shows over the past year. How did you start working together now? ArtsATL: If you were going on an extended vacation and could only take one, which guitar would you choose?
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