I love it. I sat down recently with the one and only Benji Shanks, who is currently on tour with Blackberry Smoke as a guest guitarist. Album. Did you learn anything new about yourself during the intense months of COVID? The album also racked up another nearly 1 million streams its debut 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. But theres just something about that piece of wood that is really special to me. But then it started to grow. Am I alone in wanting to hear people get rowdy in the studio and cut that sh*t live like God intended? Benji and I have been playing together as a duo for about 15 years and are just kindred spirits. Enjoy. February 26, 2021 @ We have some more songs in the works.". Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. They were both just so fantastic.". 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. February 27, 2021 @ Billy is the best. What are you waiting for. Then I just kept learning about how Jimmy was really the architect of all this stuff. 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. Mickey [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. But what he brought to the Brothers was just that he was on fire and he was always that way. We saw them in January, 2019, on the Southern Rock Cruise. Excellent new song! About a week later, I went in his dressing room and he had one! Not to say there was no energy during the livestreams from the Tabernacle and Ryman Auditorium where there was no audience. 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. May 31, 2021 @ ", "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. ", "I used an Echoplex, a '70s EP-3, quite a bit, and a Drybell Vibe Machine, a really great Univibe sound in a tiny little pedal. Benji Shanks tickets provide an opportunity to be there in person for the next Benji Shanks concert. Donald Shanks died at age 73 years old in 1983 If you ever get the chance to see him play, do it! We missed having them close and being able to hear them, too. Hey Delilah is a great song, with a real the Band feel. What prompted that decision? ', "And he said, 'Let's write together.' He was in The Grapes, a long-running and great Atlanta jam band. I previously had tons of respect for schoolteachers and now have even more. WebExplore Benji Shanks's discography including top tracks, albums, and reviews. My wife likes it when I get rid of things. But we also definitely missed the energy of our audiences. Jerry Shanks was married to Billie J. Wonderful stuff! February 26, 2021 @ has been featured by Paste magazine and other publications. Schnelkc 1:17 pm. 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. Its obviously a rough and tumble world, and theres a lot of bad people. [1] Shanks was a television sports anchor at WBSG in Brunswick, Georgia and WGXA in You have a better excuse than most of us to keep getting guitars since it's actually your job. And that's why God made volume knobs. "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 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. Blackberry Smokes Benji Shanks Provides Rig Rundown. 10:23 am, Sir Adam the Great His father, Martin, owned a shoe store, and Shanks sold his first pair at 11 years old. and maybe let the other guy play a solo once in a while. 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? We missed having them close and being able to hear them, too. We were in our twenties, so we just went nuts. I'm a fan for life. Although I dont think it was a shock. ArtsATL: Is there anyone who stands out for you as representing the good of the South? 7:43 am. I havent seen Blackberry Smoke since but like you, have been listening to a lot of their music, Ben Collinge [Laughs]. Lets finish the Hall of Fame talk with Jimmy Page, another of your great influences. It sounds like they were doing things they weren't supposed to be doing. I know what I'll be doing that night. I don't know if I could play the music I play without any of those records. I could say the same about Zeppelin II or Revolver or At Fillmore East. 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? February 25, 2021 @ 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? Capricorn called and invited us down to record, since the studio was up and running. During the relaxed jam session, both Starr and Shanks interacted and shared road stories both past and present. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. I got a lot of quirky, different types of tunings I've learned over the years from different people and records. February 25, 2021 @ Our interview was cut short, because well, the music biz never stops and sound checks must go on. I'm proud to know those two fellas. Best album yet. Yes, that one was fantastic. 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). [Laughs] I won't buy one if it's not usable. Staying on the Allman Brothers Band tip, talk a little bit about Warren as a player. [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]. We really need to all stop formulating opinions by judging a book by its cover. 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. Still love Blackberry smoke though, The whippoorwill is probably a top 10 album for me. What are some of your other favorite guitars? Debbie. Benji was also featured on the Bluestring Jammy nominated release Pick Me Up (Flying Frog Records). The tone was a little brighter and a little cleaner, but just as fabulous. I think the songs are better now. Kip Zartman has been featured by Paste magazine and other publications.[1][2]. WebBenji Shanks - IMDb IMDbPro All topics Benji Shanks IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Help contribute to IMDb. Not to say there was no energy during the livestreams from the Tabernacle and Ryman Auditorium where there was no audience. In Groups: Dark Water (3) Artist [a5580126] Edit Artist Marketplace 365 For Sale Vinyl and CD Discography He was just an intense, intense player. Tom Waits said, 'You eventually secrete what you have absorbed.' Crosby tuned it when he was here recording with Jason Isbell and I left it.' All Over the Road (Charlie Starr) 10. On May 28, 2021, their album You Hear Georgia was released. WebCharlie and Benji never disappoint! I didn't want to ask for too much; after all, he is Warren Haynes! share setlist Let Me Down Easy (Blackberry Smoke song) Play Video; Ought to Just what youd expect from the guys. out there. Charlie Starr And Benji Shanks The Buckhead Theatre Atlanta, Georgia 1/12/2023 Source: Schoeps CCM4V'S>Lunatec V2>Sound Devices 722 (24/44.1) FOB/DLFC/KFC/ZFC/AARP 40'From Stage, 8 1/2' High DSP: Sound Devices 722>Sound Forge 10.0>CD Wave>flac(16) ID3 Tagged In Foobar 2000 Recorded By: Z-Man Seeded January 20th 2023. Cobb always works at RCA Studio A and seems to be developing a real sound in there, like he has the studio tuned in the way the guys at Stax, Motown and Sun did. "Yeah, but my wife doesn't fall for the, 'Hey, they're tools, Honey' bit. 1) Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, 06/11 House of Blues Houston | Houston TX 06/12 The Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally 25th Anniversary | Austin TX 06/25 Spyglass Ridge Winery | Sunbury PA 06/26 Rock Ribs & Ridges Festival | Augusta NJ 06/27 Orange County Fair Speedway | Middletown NY, w/ Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown and Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves 06/29 Apple Valley Park | Lafayette NY 07/01 Artpark | Lewiston NY 07/02 The Peach Music Festival | Scranton PA 07/03 Dominion Raceway | Spotsylvania County VA 07/09 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals | Bloomsburg PA 07/10 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals | Bloomsburg PA 09/03 Rio Theatre | Santa Cruz CA 09/04 Crystal Bay Casino | Crystal Bay NV 09/05 Terrapin Crossroads | San Rafael CA 09/07 The Center For the Arts | Grass Valley CA 09/09 Roseland Theater | Portland OR 09/10 Temple Theatre | Tacoma WA 09/11 Fox Theater | Spokane WA 09/12 Wilma Theatre | Missoula MT 09/19 Telluride Blues and Brews | Telluride CO 09/21 Knuckleheads Saloon | Kansas City MO 09/22 Gillioz Theatre | Springfield MO 09/26 Carnegie of Homestead | Munhall PA 09/28 The Orange Peel | Asheville NC 09/29 Bijou Theatre | Knoxville TN 09/30 Mars Music Hall | Huntsville AL 10/01 Robert Kirk Walker Theatre | Chattanooga TN 10/02 The Martin Centre | Douglas GA 10/03 Cumberland Caverns Live | McMinnville TN 10/06 Acadiana Center for the Arts | Lafayette LA 10/07 Manship Theatre | Baton Rouge LA 10/08 Fillmore New Orleans | New Orleans LA 10/09 King Biscuit Blues Festival | Helena-West Helena AR 12/04 Orange Review | Lake Wales FL, 07/30 Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater | Bridgeport CT 07/31 CMAC Performing Arts Center | Canandaigua NY 08/01 Rose Music Center at The Heights | Huber Heights OH 08/03 Saint Louis Music Park | St. Louis MO 08/05 The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Dallas TX 08/06 Soundstage at Graceland | Memphis TN 08/07 Ashland Riverfront Park | Ashland KY 08/10 Dailys Place | Jacksonville FL 08/12 MECU Pavilion | Baltimore MD 08/13 Stony Pony Summer Stage | Asbury Park NJ 08/14 Portsmouth Pavilion | Portsmouth VA 08/15 Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre | Charlotte NC 08/17 The Red Hat Amphitheater | Raleigh NC 08/19 PNC Pavilion at RMC | Cincinnati OH 08/20 Ascend Amphitheater | Nashville TN 08/21 Ameris Bank Amphitheatre | Alpharetta GA 08/25 The Rooftop at Pier 17 | New York City NY 08/26 Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion | Boston MA 08/27 Santander Arena | Reading PA 09/23 TCU Amphitheatre at White River State Park | Indianapolis IN 09/24 Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill | Detroit MI 09/25 Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica | Cleveland OH 10/28 Red Rocks | Morrison CO, 2023 MusicFestNews | All Rights Reserved, The Girl Cant Help It Little Richard, Jayne Mansfield & Divine, Suwannee Hulaween Announces Surprise Headliner Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown: Night Two at The 5 Spot Nashville, Magnolia Roads American Roots Hoedown: Night One at Dees Lounge Nashville. Looking forward to this one, but curious to see how the addition of so many artists goes in the studio. Mr. Shanks grew up in Lebanon, Ind., and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where he sometimes called basketball games on the campus radio station, WFIU. I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. He and @benjispanks had all of us at the first cord! It helps our case.". Shanks came on as a full-time touring member with BBS in 2020. 1 in album sales in both country and rock, and No. ArtsATL: Blackberry Smoke added Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb as permanent members this year. On November 12, 2014, they appeared among many others Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Warren Haynes, Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman, etc. Jimmy was great. Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. "We all kind of want to be a three-guitar band, way down deep in our hearts, and maybe add another drummer too. And Warren too; it's unbelievable how good they both are.". Without a doubt. While there are many great legendary guitar players that preach the Southern Rock sound, there are few as good as Benji Shanks. 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. Happy to see Hey Delilah make the cutFantastic Tune! It's just big and round and the low mid is great and creamy. They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. "Yeah, I'm blaming my lack of slide playing ability on Jimmy Page!". And she was quick to chastise me or any others for doing such. Bath Was it as much fun to record as it appears to be by the smile on your face in the video? FELKER'S GHOST 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. Hes a great drummer. Updated: June 20, 2015 Biography ID: 103269493 Jump to: Biography Memories He's not trying to impress you with his chops, speed or prowess. Saw Blackberry Smoke in the UK though and still thought they kicked ass. It was one of those truly special things that was completely spontaneous. Blackberry Smoke has a new album it recorded during the pandemic and is about to begin its first tour since COVID-19 hit. Keep on tellin' yourself. I had to spend every atom of energy on playing guitar and writing songs", Pool Kids on finding a fan in Paramores Hayley Williams, the joy of alternate tunings and making math rock accessible, Al Di Meola on Gibson Les Pauls: My 1971 Custom is obscenely heavy and growls like nothing else, Watch Lonnie Mack, one of the original Flying V masters, trade licks with Tele titans Albert Collins and Roy Buchanan, Custom Flying Vs, strange open tunings and massive bends: how Albert King created his own strain of the blues and inspired Hendrix, Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Watch Albert King reunite, jam with Stevie Ray Vaughan in 1983: There's a lot of guitar players that just play fast, they don't concentrate on soul but you got em both, Best acoustic guitar microphones 2023: studio and live options to capture your acoustic tone perfectly, Derek Trucks names 11 guitarists who shaped his sound, Melvins Buzz Osborne: Ill stop when I dont feel like doing it anymore or when no-one cares. Ive got everything we need and more.' "As a kid I heard the songs and just thought it was the greatest rock and roll. Jerry A Shanks of Rockwall County, Texas was born c. 1940. The. It may not display this or other websites correctly. '", 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. I love these guys. At the drive-in shows, were people out there they were just way out there. 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. Capricorn called and invited us down to record, since the studio was up and running. Well, there was really nothing we could do. 7:37 pm. Old Scarecrow (Charlie Starr, Rickey Medlocke), Benji Shanks, Blackberry Smoke, Charlie Starr, Dave Lizmi, Jamey Johnson, Preston Holcomb, Rickey Medlocke, The Black Bettys, The Four Horsemen, Warren Haynes, You Hear Georgia, george They are the first independently-released artist to hit No.