Wayne Benson

John Wayne Benson is an American mandolinist and songwriter in the bluegrass tradition. He is best known for his unique approach to the mandolin, and for his long-term involvement with Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.

Wayne Benson
Birth nameJohn Wayne Benson
Born (1969-04-09) April 9, 1969
Charlotte, North Carolina
GenresBluegrass music
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsMandolin
Years active1989–present
LabelsPinecastle Records
Associated actsRussell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
Websiteiiirdtymeout.com

History

Early years

Benson was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a musical family where his father John Benson played fiddle, banjo, and guitar with his uncles. Gifted a Roy Rogers guitar for Christmas when he was seven, Benson learned how to play, sitting in on family music gatherings. At age 15, he began playing mandolin. In his late teens, Benson was part of the bluegrass music scene in Denton, North Carolina.[1][2]

Livewire

In 1989, Scott Vestal invited Benson to join the band Livewire with Ernie Sykes (bass) and Robert Hale (guitar).[3] Benson played with Livewire for three years, recording one album Wired in 1990 on Rounder Records. Benson also participated when Livewire reunited in 1999 for one show.[4]

IIIrd Tyme Out and John Cowan

In 1993, Benson joined the band Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.[5] Benson left IIIrd Tyme Out in 2004 to play with the John Cowan Band, recording two albums with them.[6] In 2007, Benson returned to IIIrd Tyme Out and has remained with them since.[7] Besides Moore and Benson, the current lineup includes Nathan Aldridge (fiddle), Keith McKinnon (banjo), and Dustin Pyrtle (bass).[8]

Solo and collaborative projects

In 2003, Benson released his solo album An Instrumental Anthology on Pinecastle Records. The album featured 12 original compositions, and guests included Vestal, Cowan, Aubrey Haynie, Rob Ickes, Mark Schatz, Ron Stewart, and Jim Van Cleve.[9]

Benson recorded Mandolin Chronicles with Alan Bibey in 2013, an album of mandolin duets. Supporting artists included Ron Stewart (banjo, fiddle), Wyatt Rice (guitar), and Harold Nixon (bass).[10]

Other projects

As part of their Artist Signature Series, Gibson issued the Wayne Benson Signature mandolin in 2003, based on the F-5 scroll body design. Only 50 we're made available.

In 2004, Benson released Wayne Benson - A Mandolin Anthology, a music instruction DVD.

In 2006, Benson performed with the Wreckers, a duo featuring Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp. Assisting with their publicity tour, he appeared on The Tonight Show, CBS This Morning, The Late Late Show, and other shows.[11]

Awards

Benson earned the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Mandolin Player of the Year award for five consecutive years (1999-2003).[12]

IIIrd Tyme Out won seven consecutive International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards for ‘Vocal Group of the Year’ (1994-2000).[13]

Personal life

After living in Nashville for 16 years, Benson lives in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. He is married to bluegrass musician Kristin Scott Benson (The Grascals).[14] He teaches private mandolin lessons in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area.[2]

Discography

Solo recordings

Alan Bibey and Wayne Benson
  • 2013: The Mandolin Chronicles (Pinecastle)[15]

With Livewire

1990: Wired (Rounder)

With Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out
  • 1993: Grandpa's Mandolin (Rebel)
  • 1994: Across The Miles (New Haven)
  • 1995: Letter To Home (Rounder)
  • 1996: Living on the Other Side (Rounder)
  • 1998: Live At The MAC (The Mountain Arts Center) (Rounder)
  • 1999: John & Mary (Rounder)[16]
  • 2001: Back To The MAC (Rounder)
  • 2004: The Best Durn Ride (Chateau)[17]
  • 2009: Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (Rural Rhythm)
  • 2011: Prime Tyme (Rural Rhythm)[18]
  • 2013: Timeless Hits From the Past Bluegrassed (Cracker Barrel)[19]
  • 2015: It's About Tyme (Break A String)

With John Cowan
  • 2006: New Tattoo (Pinecastle)

Also appears on
  • 1995: various artists - Bluegrass '95 (Pinecastle)
  • 1996: various artists - Bluegrass '96 (Pinecastle)
  • 1996: Beth and April Stevens - Sisters (Rounder)
  • 1996: various artists - Bluegrass '97 (Pinecastle)
  • 1998: Mark Newton - Living a Dream (Rebel)
  • 1998: Suzanne Thomas - Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts (Rounder)
  • 1998: various artists - Bluegrass '98 (Pinecastle)
  • 1999: Jeff Autry - Foothills (Pinecastle)
  • 1999: Chris Jones - Follow Your Heart (Rebel)
  • 1999: various artists - Bluegrass '99 (Pinecastle)
  • 2000: Scott Vestal - Millennia (Pinecastle)
  • 2000: various artists - Bluegrass 2000 (Pinecastle)
  • 2001: Scott Anderson - Rivers (Mato Music)
  • 2001: Mike Burns - Walk the Water's Edge (North Co)
  • 2001: Sally Jones - Love Hurts (self-released)
  • 2001: Randy Kohrs - Crack in My Armour (Junction)
  • 2001: Ramona Church Taylor - Carolina Memories (Pinecastle)
  • 2001: various artists - Bluegrass 2001 (Pinecastle)
  • 2002: Kristin Scott Benson - Straight Paths (Pinecastle)
  • 2002: Jim Hurst - Second Son (Pinecastle)
  • 2002: Chris Jones - Few Words (Rebel)
  • 2004: Becky Buller - Little Bird (Bell Buckle)
  • 2007: Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time - Took Down and Put Up (Lonesome Day)
  • 2007: Tom T Hall - Sings Dixie & Tom T. (Blue Circl
  • 2007: Donna Hughes - Gaining Wisdom (Rounder)
  • 2009: Kristin Scott Benson - Second Season (Pinecastle)
  • 2012: Robert Hale - Pure & Simple (Pinecastle)
  • 2013: Willie Nelson - To All the Girls... (Legacy)
  • 2013: various artists - Roanoke: The Music of Bill Monroe (Pinecastle) - track 1, "Louisville Breakdown"
  • 2014: Dave Adkins - Nothing to Lose (Mountain Fever)
  • 2014: Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time - All-Star Duets (MightyCord)

Music instruction
  • 2004: Wayne Benson - A Mandolin Anthology DVD (Acutab)
gollark: Somehow, still no xenowyrm... can I probably trade it for a CB one?
gollark: CB golden wyvern!
gollark: I currently have hatchling *and* egg space, too.
gollark: I can somehow get stupid amounts of random stuff just browsing the AP (a gold) and cave (a leetle tree, CB nebula), and trade for xenowyrms, but never actually catch them.
gollark: Five hundred years' time, yes.

References
  1. Wilson-Giarratano, PhD, Gail (2015). Carolina Bluegrass: A High Lonesome History. ISBN 9781467118248. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  2. Ted Lehman (April 19, 2017). "Routes to Roots II: Wayne and Kristin Scott Benson". No Depression. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  3. "Robert Hale, Pure and Simple". Bluegrass Unlimited. January 1, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  4. David Morris (September 28, 2011). "Livewire's One-and-Done Reunion". Bluegrass Today. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  5. Bay, William (Dec 10, 2015). Master Anthology of Mandolin Solos, Volume 1. ISBN 9780786693733. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  6. John Lupton (September 1, 2004). "IIIrd Tyme Out launch their best durn ride". Country StandardTime. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  7. "Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out at Carter Family Fold Saturday". Cybergrass. March 14, 2017. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  8. Patsy B. Weiler (July 8, 2015). "Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out to perform at Macon Days". Daily News Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  9. John Lupton. "Wayne Benson: An Instrumental Anthology". Country Standard Time. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  10. "Alan Bibey and Wayne Benson Create "The Mandolin Chronicles"". Cybergrass. February 9, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  11. "Pinecastle Records Releases 'The Mandolin Chronicles' March 12". Tryon Daily Bulleton. February 15, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  12. "Archives". SPBGMA. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  13. "Recipient History". IBMA. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  14. Tim Kimzey (October 21, 2010). "Banjo Slinger Kristin Scott Benson Keeps Focus at Home". Go Upstate. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  15. Harold Nixon (February 10, 2013). "Alan Bibey & Wayne Benson – The Mandolin Chronicles". Grasstowne. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  16. Al Price. "John And Mary - IIIrd Tyme Out". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  17. Jon Weisberger (June 30, 2004). "IIIrd Tyme Out - The Best Durn Ride". No Depression. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  18. Walter Tunis (January 19, 2012). "III Tyme Out offers 'Prime' cuts on latest album". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  19. Edward Morris (February 13, 2013). "IIIrd Tyme Out "Bluegrasses" Country Classics in New Cracker Barrel Album". CMT. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
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