Ben Sproles We were in our twenties, so we just went nuts. Blackberry Smoke fit right into this organic, guitar-based group. But theres a lot of good people too. like the music, but would actually like to hear the singer through the WHOLE SONG and not just part of it. Im a terrible schoolteacher. How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? Credits. I could say the same about Zeppelin II or Revolver or At Fillmore East. Advertisement Benjis rig rundown gets underway with a look at his pedalboard Were really enjoying it. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Starr: No. February 26, 2021 @ [16] In 2021 the band released its seventh studio album, You Hear Georgia.[17]. WebOriginally, Benji did not want Seaside to have a leader or a clear power structure. But what he brought to the Brothers was just that he was on fire and he was always that way. "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. As a subscriber enjoy big savings off the shop price! Biography ID: 35047599 Timm Shanks (1950 - 1999) Born June 13, 1950 Death April 6, 1999 Summary Timm Shanks was born on June 13, 1950, and died at age 48 years old on April 6, 1999. If you were going on an extended vacation and could only take one, which guitar would you choose? 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. I love this band, also love when Black Bettys performing with the band. Benji is a fantastic player that has killer tone with a Updated: June 20, 2015 Biography ID: 103269493 Jump to: Biography Memories All Over the Road (Charlie Starr) 10. Whats your take on putting everything fricking thing on the rack? Im going to be 69 this year and I still love to hear this band. We pulled down a bunch of his amps and I used an old Magnatone on a song and maybe an Ampeg Gemini. Hey Delilah (Charlie Starr) 4. WebShanks, originally from Waycross, Georgia, is a graduate of the University of Georgia. "I think Derek Trucks is the greatest guitar player Ive ever played with. But at that point, we werent even able to get in the same room together. ArtsATL: What would you say the world needs a little more of right now? February 24, 2021 @ "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. He started playing percussion on the new album and Britt (Turner, Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. How did that develop? eve never worked with a major record label. 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. 3 in all of music. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I didnt write it for myself to sing; it was for a country troubadour, so I suggested we should record that as a tribute to George. 6:16 pm, Just saw Blackberry smoke here in Myrtle Beach at bike week and they are at there best, very professional, Denise Thatcher Its been refinished, the head has broken and its got replacement parts. I owned a vintage one in the '90s, which had a badly repaired headstock break so I sold it, but it was so cool. The name of the band was called Spit Shine, a small punk rock band out of Rome high school. If you came here from a link, please go back and correct the link for one of the heroes listed below. Starr: Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. "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. "I love them and always have. 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.. Takes me back in the day. Havent seen them yet but have heard theyre excellent. Jump to: Biography Memories Family Tree Followers Timm How did that develop? And that's why God made volume knobs. 3:50 pm. ArtsATL: How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? Hes a great drummer. Billy is the best. It was really an easy decision. Jimmy was great. At one point, I decided that I hold my guitar too low to really get comfortable playing with nothing but the fingers down there.". ", I don't know if I could play the music I play without Zeppelin II, Revolver or At Fillmore East. Aug 17, 2022. He was so well read, musically, with all of his session worka 22-year-old guy playing with Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, King Curtis and Clarence Carter. Do you find the single pickup limiting? Just what youd expect from the guys. They have released seven studio albums, two live albums and five extended plays. 9:39 am. 4:17 pm. Does that mean the Stones are your favorite band and most important influence? "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. They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. "It's a reissue Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar. 7:51 am. Benjis been playing with us a long time, off and on. He asked if I bought one and when I said no, he just kind of rubbed his beard. 1:59 pm. We started sending little voice memos back and forth, then we got on the phone and hashed it out. 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. Well, there was really nothing we could do. WebBenji. WebBenji Shanks - Lead/slide Guitar. He supported Kip Moore in the UK and again he completely stole the show. He was just an intense, intense player. Benji was also featured on the Bluestring Jammy nominated release Pick Me Up (Flying Frog Records). Benji Shanks / @shanksforeverything gives an inside look at his touring rig. February 25, 2021 @ [3] They have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and South America. Was waiting for Dave Cobb looking forward to this LP! I dont find the single pickup limiting at all. You are using an out of date browser. 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. "A little of both. ArtsATL: And how were the drive-in shows? Bath At the drive-in shows, were people out there they were just. 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. We still appreciated being able to hear them say, Thank you. Even though it seemed quite a bit downhill and far away. But theres just something about that piece of wood that is really special to me. Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. Hey Delilah is a great song, with a real the Band feel. I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. Still love Blackberry smoke though, The whippoorwill is probably a top 10 album for me. 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. 7:37 pm. Tell me about that. Am I alone in wanting to hear people get rowdy in the studio and cut that sh*t live like God intended? BA1 1UA. "Yeah. ", "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. We still appreciated being able to hear them say, Thank you. Even though it seemed quite a bit downhill and far away. February 26, 2021 @ 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? They are the first independently-released artist to hit No. Kip Zartman 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. They were both just so fantastic.". Is there anyone who stands out for you as representing the good of the South? 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. Rock N Roll is surely dead The Duane Allman and Dickey Betts tones on those records are just unbeatable. I think they were the loudest trio I've ever seen, and he might be the best singing guitar player I've ever seen. When you have that freedom, it comes pretty easy. Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. 7:06 am, Thats too funny. Never will it die. 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. I have a real hard time finding a better contemporary rock band. August Knight "But it's just a bigger, fatter tone to meeven than a humbucker. Blackberry Smoke added Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb as permanent members this year. That first song sounds great. Note: only considered 3 of 9 setlists (ignored empty and strikingly short setlists) Setlist. 7:51 pm. ", "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. I was first introduced to @charliestarr this summer, seeing him in concert was an amazing experience. 1:31 am. He and Warren are cut from the same cloth: very selfless, both musically and as people. Picking up the guitar at the age of 13, Shanks started taking guitar lessons. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. "That was great! Our band opened for them at The Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. All of the band members were very friendly and gracious towards us. Track List: 1. But I didn't listen to him and brought tons and tons of stuff of my own because half the fun of making records is playing with your toys! This was good enough to put it also at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album charts in modern history. Cant wait to hear the rest. He said, Absolutely. Of course, we also did some Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, as well as paid homage to Little Richard. ArtsATL: Did you learn anything new about yourself during the intense months of COVID? Our interview was cut short, because well, the music biz never stops and sound checks must go on. WebBenji Shanks Profile: American guitarist, engineer and producer. Concert number five. "Warren taught me about the Stephen Stills tuning that he used, a low C tuning that I used on a new song. How would you describe the greatness of Duane Allman and Dickey Betts? September 11, 2021 @ I previously had tons of respect for schoolteachers and now have even more. So having him join us was sort of inevitable. Has Rick Richards ever tried to get that guitar back from you? How Jeff Beck passed the Telecaster torch to Jimmy Page and changed the course of rock history, Watch two bassists shred-off using Tosin Abasi's selective picking technique, The Lowlist: INXS's Kick was the sound of a rock band taking on modern technology. Starr worked in a body shop like his dad by day, playing honky tonks and bars and partying hard by night. Schnelkc Well, I had the kind of grandmother books are written about. 9:16 am. Blackberry Smoke released their fifth studio album, Like an Arrow, featuring Gregg Allman, on October 14, 2016, via their own record label, 3 Legged Records. Capricorn called and invited us down to record, since the studio was up and running. Australia. Playing publicly since 2003, Benji Shanks has come to be known by frequently guest performing with some of the southeastern regions best bands. Live It Down (Charlie Starr, Dave Lizmi) 2. February 25, 2021 @ I picked up an old Martin that Dave had in the control room and he said, 'Thats in the David Crosby Guinevere tuning. When you said new members I was afraid someone had quit. and Britt (Turner, drummer) said, Id love to hear Preston playing percussion live with us, not just have the percussion as an overdub as you often hear with recordings. 9:26 pm. Shawn tackett Their debut album, Bad Luck Ain't No Crime, was released in 2003. Had never heard them before, really impressive. Benji is doing a fine job presently with Blackbery Smoke ! . 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. 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. Theres a lot of love there. 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. FELKER'S GHOST Saw Blackberry Smoke in the UK though and still thought they kicked ass. That one is very interesting. Didnt care much for their earlier stuff but this song rocks. Additional members wouldntve given me a start. Blackberry Smoke's 2016 album Like An Arrow did the same. Your email address will not be published. Album. Met him last month and he gave me a stage tour, free tickets and backstage passes. 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. I don't know about my most important influence. It's not heavy metal, but it's got this aggressive sound and every element was just so stellar. Derek is a good bit quieter, as far as being a talker, but he and Susan have a tremendous family thing that was so much fun to be a part of when we toured with them all summer. Crosby tuned it when he was here recording with Jason Isbell and I left it.' So I had that banging around in my head, and I had a guitar riff. 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. And it made me smile. 4:47 am. [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]. "Then I went through the years of just playing the guitar, terrified to sing. I got a lot of quirky, different types of tunings I've learned over the years from different people and records. Although I dont think it was a shock. "Benji" may be referring to two or more different heroes. 5:21 am. You can let us know when that is, How Alvvays harnessed the glorious, devastating power of truly dimed guitar amps, slacker tunings and Tom Verlaine on new album Blue Rev, Ozzy Osbourne names his dream supergroup and it features three guitarists, Joe Bonamassa plays AC/DCs Back in Black like youve never heard it before in this soulful rhythm n blues reimagining, Nuno Bettencourt says Prince once called him one of the top three guitar players in the world. But it definitely had its challenges because it was a new world. The tone was a little brighter and a little cleaner, but just as fabulous. 8:30 am. ArtsATL: Is there anyone who stands out for you as representing the good of the South? They're made to be played.". You play slide just fine! It might have been 200 people, but I thought, 'They all bought a ticket to hear our songs. "We all kind of want to be a three-guitar band, way down deep in our hearts, and maybe add another drummer too. In 2015 Blackberry Smoke became the first small independent outfit to have an album, Holding All The Roses, go to No. Blackberry Smokes Benji Shanks Provides Rig Rundown. ", "Zac Brown Launches Southern Ground Artists Label Southern Ground", "Blackberry Smoke The Whippoorwill (2012) Something Else! When I saw he would be doing acoustic I immediately thought it can only get better. I sat down recently with the one and only Benji Shanks, who is currently on tour with Blackberry Smoke as a guest guitarist. I was super late to the party on this band, but they stick in my YouTube algo like a bad habit. Love the new song already and ABSOLUTELY stoked to see track 5 is featuring Jamey Johnson! 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. Their second album released in 2009, Little Piece of Dixie. And thats funny you ask because years ago I asked Rick if he had loved the guitar and he said he hadnt. "I remember walking into the control room and listening to a playback and being blown away that it sounded as good as it did. Absolutely live in one afternoon. Hadn't seen it. What would you say the world needs a little more of right now? There are a couple of songs that are completely live, vocal and all, including Old Enough to Know. Surprised to see a Brown Fender behind his amps stage covering. "Yeah, but my wife doesn't fall for the, 'Hey, they're tools, Honey' bit. We all love those because of Keith Richards and Joe Perry. Blackberry Smoke was formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 2000. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. I think every guitar player has that one guitar that is the one.. Two years later, Benji joined his first band in high school as a freshmen. Ill never pass up a chance to see these guys within a few hours drive. Its obviously a rough and tumble world, and theres a lot of bad people. February 25, 2021 @ Its been refinished, the head has broken and its got replacement parts. Thats where the first line of the song, I dont believe everyone around the world hates the South. It was a lot of fun just to be able to make music. I saw these dudes live about 8 years ago in Boston and found them kind of boring in concert. ArtsATL: Blackberry Smoke added Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb as permanent members this year. Aint the Same (Charlie Starr, Keith Nelson) 5. In my pedalboard, I have a Fulltone Supa Trem mach one that I love.". WebNancy Shanks (c. 19562019) was an American singer . 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. His father, Martin, owned a shoe store, and Shanks sold his first pair at 11 years old. On May 28, 2021, their album You Hear Georgia was released. To watch him construct a solo is mind blowing. Fillmore East is one long guitar lesson. 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? Warren Haynes (Charlie Starr, Warren Haynes) 7. If you're uncertain which one you're looking for, take a wild guess. It's a challenge, you can't be anywhere near your amp. He never gets in a hurry. Coincidentally, wed been trying to come up with some ideas about promoting our summer tour, the Spirit of the South tour. Ive seen them 2 or 3 times in concert and they may be my all time favorite live band. All Credits Composer Director 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. I love these guys. During the relaxed jam session, both Starr and Shanks interacted and shared road stories both past and present. You Hear Georgia (Charlie Starr, Dave Lizmi) 3. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Ginger Haycox "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! And so, I was never able to really play that Duane stuff very well andwould always lean a little more toward Lowell George. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. He's not trying to impress you with his chops, speed or prowess. I wonder how that went down with current longtime member/guitar/vocalist - Paul Jackson? It was for sale and I kept balking at the price and I finally said alright, I'll buy it. 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. "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. April 8, 2021 @ They have performed alongside numerous artists such as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Guns n' Roses, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd. News 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. February 26, 2021 @ Traveling the Southeastern music circuit with Capt Soularcat for more than a decade, Shanks toured heavily in 2003 and learned what it was like to be on the road and play with some of the best musicians in the south. JavaScript is disabled. Benji and I have been playing together as a duo for about 15 years and are just kindred spirits. If you ever get the chance to see him play, do it! Benji is one of the most modest, amazing guitar players I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He was talking with a really, really thick Southern accent. Aug 2, 2022. It all happened in one day, without planning to put it together as a project, because were not a cover band. 1 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Blackberry Smoke was the last band I saw live, the day before everything shut down here in Quebec. It helps our case.". 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. 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.
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