Thursday, April 16, 2009

Guitar Center review!

We at Laguna congratulate Ben and 633 records on his new release!!!

Great tunes, great tone, and great playing - what more could you ask for??
Ben's playing has a certain fire and brilliance to it, combined with the soulful touch of his blues roots - a perfect combination.
His masterful playing combined with his emotive vocals add up to a guitar hero for the modern times - way to go Ben!

Rick Gagliano
Product Manager -Guitar Center Corporate Guitars/Amps

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

T.J. Royal interview

by T.J.
Royal

Jacksonville, Fla.'s Ben Robinson has been stoking fires as a blues guitarist since his tweens, dropping jaws at open mike nights and basking in many a spotlight from an early age.


Now 22, Robinson's playing has earned raves from pros and the industry's for a decade, from the likes of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons to David Letterman's orchestra leader Paul Shaffer. David Letterman you say? Oh yes, Robinson was showing the world his virtuosity on The Late Show when he was only 12.


As you check out tracks with face-melting solos, like "Armageddon Express," or smooth blues solemnity, like "Heart of Stone," on www. myspace. com/thebenrobinsonband, it's clear the man's early success has turned into a potent, wholly enjoyable sound years later, on his self-titled album.


Ben took a break from making his Laguna guitars cry uncle to fill in The Village Idiot about his latest songs, how he got to this point and also about something he might just add to his live act.



VI: How long have you been performing, not just professionally?

Robinson: My first actual live performance was when I was 10. The first legitimate one was at a place called Rafters, in Saint Simon's Island, Ga., for an open mike night. (It was the) first time I'd ever played in front of anybody besides my parents. Everybody kind of looked around like, 'why's this kid here.' I played, and they asked me to come back every time they had a jam night, which was a lot of fun.


VI: How does it feel recording your first "adult" album after playing professionally for so long?

Robinson: I really didn't know what to expect. When we started writing, nobody knew what to expect, so it was a really cool experience recording this album, because of how free flowing everything was. Everything you hear on the (record) is what we did. It's really cool recording this record, just because of the free flowing, 'let's see what happens' kind of mentality that went along with it.


VI: What was the inspiration behind the song "Heart of Stone?"

Robinson: It was actually a collaborative effort, each person had a part in writing that song. They took an experience (they had) from their life, within that certain context of "Heart of Stone." ... My personal experience on it, I felt a need for a great song that was honest, the lyric of "heart of stone" is a very straight, honest written lyric, about a guy who screws up and realizes it. ... It was a girl, there was a girl, and that's all I think needs to be said about it.


VI: You've been able to do things musically that others didn't when you were younger.
How do you think back on those experiences now that you're pushing forward and trying to make a buck as a blues performer?

Robinson: All that cool stuff, it's a great learning experience. It's a great personality builder, it really helped me to (prepare) at such a young age. Paul Shaffer, he's a killer player. To have you on at 12 years old, for lack of a better term, it's like being thrown into the fire, because it can change at any point. That cool stuff I was able to do when I was younger, it wasn't all quite highlights, it really helped mold me as the performer that I am today. It was definitely a big booster. If I tried to get into it at this point, it would be a totally different deal.


VI: What's been something crazy that's happened out in the road in the past year, or more recently?

Robinson: This was really cool. We were in Daytona Beach, towards the beginning of last year. Me and my band, the band playing with for that night, we go and we check out the club, gearing up to play that night. We go to get something to eat right around the corner where we're playing. There was all these people at the club (when we got back), when we walked in the door, they went crazy. I hadn't been to Daytona Beach, I didn't know any of these people. This was about the hour before the show started, spent that time going around talking to everyone. That set the precedent for a good show. It was a really fun experience. To have people just appreciate what you're getting ready to do, that was great.


VI: Apparently, you're not the only Ben Robinson to appear on David Letterman. You're a hell of a guitar player, but this other Ben Robinson apparently caught a bullet between his teeth like, five times, and even wrote a book about how to do it.
Can you top that?

Robinson: I've never actually met him before, but I've seen him on You Tube and stuff. Aaah, let me think about this. As far as playing live, I think the only thing I could do that would top that, I can play my guitar and my rhythm guitar player's guitar at the same time. I could play a whole song like that. The other guitar player will come and stand right next to me, still have his guitar strapped on. I'll play the rhythm, just fret it on his guitar. And then with my left hand, I'll tap the leads with the melody part. ... But that's not quite catching a bullet in my teeth. Maybe I should buy his book and learn how to do that. That would be great to add to the show.


If you're dying to catch Robinson's show in The Carolinas, keep your eyes peeled each month to The Village Idiot, your source for the region's hottest acts and where you can catch 'em playing live!

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Ben now on Twitter

http://twitter.com/benrobinsonband

Tweet, tweet!!

Blues Boys Booking!

It is official! Ben Robinson is now being booked exclusively by The Blues Boys talent agency.

"We are so excited to have the chance to work with Harty and his team!' Ben Robinson

Folks, EVERY date you see is from this new relationship. More exciting news to come.

Thanks!

The Beach Shack!!!

The Beach Shack, the Beach Shack, The Beach Shack, baby the Beach Shack!!
1 Minutemen Cswy
Cocoa Beach yea baby!!, Florida 32931
US
Cost:Free
Description:We are going to have a party at the Beach Shack! I have been wanting to come here for a while now, so come watch me and the rest of the gang have fun..and of course we insist you join in. I absolutely LOVE Cocoa Beach!!! www.beachshackbar.com

Village of Baytowne Wharf Concert Series

08/12/2009 07:00 PM - Village of Baytowne Wharf Concert Series

Miramar Beach, Florida
US

Description:http://www.baytownewharf.com/

What a beautiful destination!! We are looking forward to this show in a big way.

See you there!

Clematis in West Palm Beach Florida

Yes! Ben Robinson and the band are BACK for another big show. 4000 expected to attend.

This is a MUST see for locals and visitors alike.

BE THERE! For show times please see Ben's myspace. www.myspace.com/thebenrobinsonband

SEE YA!

Sunfest West Palm Beach Florida

Ok folks, I know it has been awhile...but I have done my time!!!

On to BRB news.



Ben and the band will be playing Sunfest! Please check the myspace for details.

Again, yet another MUST see for local's and visitors alike!

www.myspace.com/thebenrobinsonband