Dickey scratches a whole different itch for me from that era of the band. I have a real hard time finding a better contemporary rock band. Capricorn called and invited us down to record, since the studio was up and running. How is this living in this man's brain? All Over the Road (Charlie Starr) 10. Initially, the goal was simply to capture some cool video footage while recording some covers live for the tour. Were really enjoying it. 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. You play slide just fine! I owned a vintage one in the '90s, which had a badly repaired headstock break so I sold it, but it was so cool. How has Blackberry Smoke been able to stay true to itself over the course of 20 years? Benji Shanks's (@shanksforeverything) profile on Instagram 458 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. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. I love Benji Shanks style of guitar playing especially when he plays that slide guitar. 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. And Warren too; it's unbelievable how good they both are.". [16] In 2021 the band released its seventh studio album, You Hear Georgia.[17]. But is it just me or when ever I listen to alot of artists today, the music seems to drown out their voices. I suspect theyre playing to a click, and its holding them back. It was for sale and I kept balking at the price and I finally said alright, I'll buy it. Starr: I was watching television one morning, drinking a cup of coffee, and I heard a fellow on the news being interviewed. And that's what we did. 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. At one point, I decided that I hold my guitar too low to really get comfortable playing with nothing but the fingers down there.". Ive seen them 2 or 3 times in concert and they may be my all time favorite live band. February 25, 2021 @ 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 Be the first to contribute! I'm not pretty. All Credits Composer Director Hes been associated with Guitar World for 30 years, serving as Managing Editor from 1991-96. Happy to see Hey Delilah make the cutFantastic Tune! Playing publicly since 2003, Benji Shanks has come to be known by frequently guest performing with some of the southeastern regions best bands. Soularcat), who is Benjis biggest musical influence. February 26, 2021 @ he was saying it. Joining the band now both in the studio and on the road is well-known Atlanta percussionist Preston Holcomb, as well as guitarist Benji Shanks who has worked with The Black Crowes and others in the past. He's not trying to impress you with his chops, speed or prowess. You are using an out of date browser. [Laughs]. That's completely accidental, butwe've absorbed the music of the Band, Little Feat and many others. And it made me smile. We pulled down a bunch of his amps and I used an old Magnatone on a song and maybe an Ampeg Gemini. They join the Charlie and the rest of Blackberry Smoke, Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards). 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. But theres just something about that piece of wood that is really special to me. But at that point, we werent even able to get in the same room together. I had the pleasure of seeing BBS last month for the fifth time in the last three/four years. You can get so many different sounds with a single-pickup guitar, just the way where you pick the strings. Benji Shanks | Credits | AllMusic Blackberry Smoke - Wikipedia The name of the band was called Spit Shine, a small punk rock band out of Rome high school. Benji Shanks is long time buddy of mine. We passed it back and forth playing and when I got up to leave, he said, 'Don't forget your guitar.' So thats the South Im talking about. 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. "I love them and always have. 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. His addition gives Blackberry Smoke a three-guitar lineup, teaming with Starr and Paul Jackson. "Yeah, I'm blaming my lack of slide playing ability on Jimmy Page!". I love it. 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. Blackberry Smoke also managed to record the EP. out there. Aug 2, 2022. Web4,340 Followers, 1,308 Following, 458 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Benji Shanks (@shanksforeverything) So thats the South Im talking about. 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. "And then you start to dissect his compositions and it's just otherworldly. Other than that, I think just tremolo and reverb from that amp. I love it dearly. He had one that was very special, but it wasnt that one. I wonder though, why Charlie brought another guitar player/member into the band? 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. And thats funny you ask because years ago I asked Rick if he had loved the guitar and he said he hadnt. "But Dickey was playing a little more laid back at times and bringing a little more country, which developed later, with Blue Sky and Ramblin Man.