Super excited to announce new guest, Ben Brandt, to The Story!One could say Ben Brandt was born with a guitar in his hands and this would not be far from the truth. The son of a professional musician, Ben cannot remember a time when the guitar was not a part of his life. As a baby he was fascinated by the instrument and by the time he was three he was picking out riffs on his father’s guitars. In 1999, at the age of 10, Ben started his own band, the Ben “Jamin” Brandt Project and his talents were discovered by a local radio station in NJ, WDHA. They promoted his music and booked him at festivals where he shared the stage with the likes of Savoy Brown and Billy Hector.In 2010 Ben moved to Harrisburg, PA and started the Ben Brandt Trio in which he was both vocalist and lead guitarist. They played throughout the PA/MD/DC/VA region where they quickly gained a wide fan base in the Blues/Rock scene. Over the years Ben and his band have had the opportunity to open for a number of well known acts such as Jimmy Thackery, Doyle Bramhall II, Gary Hoey, Coco Montoya, The Record Company, etc. He has also been called to the stage to sit in with notable guitarists such as Davy Knowles, Artur Menezes and Albert Castiglia. Ben also is a member of the Central Pennsylvania Blues Society (BSPA) and frequently performs at their weekly jam sessions.In 2019 Ben teamed up with singer/songwriter Kevin Koa and formed the Soul Miners Union, a roots and blues based project that featured original songs with great grooves and catchy lyrics. Their debut album was recorded and produced by legendary guitarist/producer Josh Smith at his Flat V studio in Los Angeles. The album was released in September 2020. Blues Rock Review wrote, “Brandt brings a gritty, seasoned approach to the songs he captains.” At times Ben provides “crisp licks and understated solos” whereas other songs allow Ben “the space to stretch out and cut into some aggressive playing” with “riff driven rhythm and ominous lyrics.” The album contained “deft playing, seamless transitions and memorable choruses” and was a “fresh take on a few different blues areas.”Ben’s influences over the years have included a very eclectic mix of Blues, Prog and Rock from Chris Cain, Gary Moore and Eric Johnson to Andy Timmons, Robin Trower, Steve Vai and Alex Lifeson. These different genres and playing styles provide Ben with a broad palette to pull from to hone his craft. Dynamics and phrasing are key components in Ben’s playing where every note has meaning and purpose, and his impeccable tone is sought after by guitarists both young and old.Ben’s skills are well known in Harrisburg, PA and the surrounding tri-state area where he continues to perform on a regular basis. Ben is not one to be put in a box and always strives to learn new things, pushing himself and the musicians he plays with. At 32 years of age and over 20 years of playing live Ben has acquired a lot of experience yet he has truly only begun to show the world what he is capable of.You can find Ben and his projects here:Website: https://www.soulminersunion.com/newsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ezvhPd5zaWyKCWFWAjPSYFacebook: Ben Brandt & the Soul Miners UnionSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-story/donations

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