The C2C Sit Down with Benny G
Originally hailing from Long Island in New Jersey, love of classic songwriting and his beautiful soulful vocal style drew Benny G to Nashville where he is beginning to flourish with his own country-soul sound. Attention and traction through posting on social media has led to him beginning to release music of his own which is catching eyes around the globe which will bring him to Europe next month where he will be performing in Berlin and London at this year’s C2C: Country to Country. Ahead of the trip, Jamie hung out with Benny over Zoom for a really fun chat looking ahead to the festivals.
Appreciate you taking the time to hang this morning and it’s three weeks I guess until you're flying over here.
“Yes, sir. I'm excited.”
I know you have been over to London before, was that for like work or was that when you were younger on vacation?
“I guess it kind of was for work. I played like a really small bar, like a small club maybe a year or two ago in London. It was before all of the TikTok madness and people starting to know my name in Nashville and stuff like that so it was a different time, but I love London. I had so much fun when I was over there last time and I'm very, very excited for C2C.”
You’ve obviously heard a lot of things about the festival and the German festival which you go to first is very different to what you'll see in London, but a really good different. The way I I'd sort of describe it is that Berlin feels more like AMERICANAFEST type size, whereas London is like an indoor CMA Fest, but what have you heard about the festival and what excites you most about getting the opportunity to come and play over here and in Germany?
Um, I've known about the festival for a very long time and I think the lineup, this year, especially, I'm a big Zach Top fan and love Ty Myers, so I think there's some real talent on the bill. I also have a bunch of buddies that are gonna be doing this with me for the first time, like I'm buddies with Solon Holt and Brendan Walter, those guys are friends of mine so the fact that we're gonna be taking it on and going together is just really cool and it’s also really cool having the Nashville community overseas where we're all friends. So, it's gonna be a really fun time, I'm super excited and I guess another part that makes me really excited for C2C is that while I'm in America, singing country, music, country-soul music or whatever, but I feel like I want to have a global career. I want to be playing arenas in Europe someday and I want to be touring all over the world, I want to go to Brazil, I want to go to this place and that place. I feel like it's a lot cooler to be an act that could go and connect with people overseas versus just staying here. I love Europe and it just excites me because this is a great opportunity.”
It's cool what you said about Solon coming over and Brendon as well, everyone say how one of the nice things about doing these festivals in Europe is that you are all in the same place for a decent amount of time where you can hang out with your buddies because at things back at home you just end up passing like ships in the night.
“Exactly. I feel like we're all in the same place and I was like looking at the schedule then texting around being like, bro we're literally back to back, we'll go check out each other's sets then grab a beer.”
It’s so easy and in Germany especially, all the stages are so close together. Then as well as the festivals, you are going to be hopping on the bus for some shows with Jack Wharff and his boys.
“Yeah, I actually was just hanging out with them last night. They made their Opry debut so I went to go hang out with them over there and we met for the first time. I'm super excited for those dates with the Jack Wharff Band, they're so talented and it was my first time hearing them live, I've obviously been following them and their music for a minute but their live show is just electric. I heard like, three songs that they played at the Opry it was powerful and I know they're gonna be guys that are doing it for a really, really long time, I could tell. They are so, so nice and we were talking about what we're gonna be jamming after the shows and I could just tell they're dudes that I'm really gonna get along with, so I'm super excited and I can't wait for the shows.”
Appreciate you taking the time to hang this morning and it’s three weeks I guess until you're flying over here.
“Yes, sir. I'm excited.”
I know you have been over to London before, was that for like work or was that when you were younger on vacation?
“I guess it kind of was for work. I played like a really small bar, like a small club maybe a year or two ago in London. It was before all of the TikTok madness and people starting to know my name in Nashville and stuff like that so it was a different time, but I love London. I had so much fun when I was over there last time and I'm very, very excited for C2C.”
You’ve obviously heard a lot of things about the festival and the German festival which you go to first is very different to what you'll see in London, but a really good different. The way I I'd sort of describe it is that Berlin feels more like AMERICANAFEST type size, whereas London is like an indoor CMA Fest, but what have you heard about the festival and what excites you most about getting the opportunity to come and play over here and in Germany?
Um, I've known about the festival for a very long time and I think the lineup, this year, especially, I'm a big Zach Top fan and love Ty Myers, so I think there's some real talent on the bill. I also have a bunch of buddies that are gonna be doing this with me for the first time, like I'm buddies with Solon Holt and Brendan Walter, those guys are friends of mine so the fact that we're gonna be taking it on and going together is just really cool and it’s also really cool having the Nashville community overseas where we're all friends. So, it's gonna be a really fun time, I'm super excited and I guess another part that makes me really excited for C2C is that while I'm in America, singing country, music, country-soul music or whatever, but I feel like I want to have a global career. I want to be playing arenas in Europe someday and I want to be touring all over the world, I want to go to Brazil, I want to go to this place and that place. I feel like it's a lot cooler to be an act that could go and connect with people overseas versus just staying here. I love Europe and it just excites me because this is a great opportunity.”
It's cool what you said about Solon coming over and Brendon as well, everyone say how one of the nice things about doing these festivals in Europe is that you are all in the same place for a decent amount of time where you can hang out with your buddies because at things back at home you just end up passing like ships in the night.
“Exactly. I feel like we're all in the same place and I was like looking at the schedule then texting around being like, bro we're literally back to back, we'll go check out each other's sets then grab a beer.”
It’s so easy and in Germany especially, all the stages are so close together. Then as well as the festivals, you are going to be hopping on the bus for some shows with Jack Wharff and his boys.
“Yeah, I actually was just hanging out with them last night. They made their Opry debut so I went to go hang out with them over there and we met for the first time. I'm super excited for those dates with the Jack Wharff Band, they're so talented and it was my first time hearing them live, I've obviously been following them and their music for a minute but their live show is just electric. I heard like, three songs that they played at the Opry it was powerful and I know they're gonna be guys that are doing it for a really, really long time, I could tell. They are so, so nice and we were talking about what we're gonna be jamming after the shows and I could just tell they're dudes that I'm really gonna get along with, so I'm super excited and I can't wait for the shows.”
As your in Europe for a little while. is there any touristy stuff that you’re hoping to do whilst you’re here or any food that you are looking forward to?
“I've been to Abbey Road before, I’m a huge Beatles guy, I grew up listening, so I might just go again and see if I can work some magic to find a way to actually go inside of Abbey Road. I feel like I might have enough musician friends or someone I know, even if I’m lucky enough to just peak my head in for a second as ‘Abbey Road’ is one of my favourite albums ever. I feel like that's such a cliche, but definitely that and I’m also excited for killer Indian food, you guys have that in the bag. In Nashville, we have like one really good place, but everything else is kind of terrible so, I'm really excited to just walk into a curry house and get some great Indian food. So those are like my two things really.”
It's so funny what everybody in Nashville says about Indian food, it's almost as if you all have a pre-prepared statement to give to Brits about being excited for a curry. It is officially now Britain's national dish in a very bizarre way, not actually fish and chips surprisingly and if you go to the right places it is really good. All you guys in America get drawn to a chain called Dishoom.
“I actually went to Dishoom the last time I was in London, it was like, oh my God, this is so good.”
To us, that's like what Hattie B’s is to you guys where if you live in Nashville and you want hot chicken, like you're not going to go to the place that's got a queue halfway down the street when you can get just as good round the corner with no line. But yeah, if you want the best curries, Brick Lane in Shoreditch is your place to go.
"You know what, I have a friend who told me about Brick Lane."
Oh, mate, it is the best you'll find anywhere in the country, plus there are so many options that it’s so much cheaper and much better quality than places centrally.
“That's very good to know, I will be going to Brick Lane, Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a buddy of mine and he's told me about places there multiple times and I have not gone, but I think maybe this is my time to eat some curry with Ben on Brick Lane.”
You will not be disappointed! Coming on to your music, when I listen to your voice, to me as a Brit, if I was writing a cliché type Benny G, for fans of …… type bit, James Bay would be the guy that first comes to mind. It’s this whole sort of country-soul sound that you do, then you mentioned The Beatles were are a big influence but who else really helped shape it? Who were the artists that really drove what you want to do and shape your sound?
“I'd say I grew up listening to so much music, so my palate is like all over the place. I guess I'd say my Mount Rushmore, like, my GOATs are John Mayer and Chris Stapleton, I'd say those are my top two. I also grew up listening to James Taylor a lot, who I love and also CCR. I just love classic songwriting, I love storytelling and melodies that are simple but captivating. I feel like those classic songwriters and on a vocal level with Chris and John, just telling it with a guitar and singing the vocal, doing it simple, I love that approach to it all.”
“I've been to Abbey Road before, I’m a huge Beatles guy, I grew up listening, so I might just go again and see if I can work some magic to find a way to actually go inside of Abbey Road. I feel like I might have enough musician friends or someone I know, even if I’m lucky enough to just peak my head in for a second as ‘Abbey Road’ is one of my favourite albums ever. I feel like that's such a cliche, but definitely that and I’m also excited for killer Indian food, you guys have that in the bag. In Nashville, we have like one really good place, but everything else is kind of terrible so, I'm really excited to just walk into a curry house and get some great Indian food. So those are like my two things really.”
It's so funny what everybody in Nashville says about Indian food, it's almost as if you all have a pre-prepared statement to give to Brits about being excited for a curry. It is officially now Britain's national dish in a very bizarre way, not actually fish and chips surprisingly and if you go to the right places it is really good. All you guys in America get drawn to a chain called Dishoom.
“I actually went to Dishoom the last time I was in London, it was like, oh my God, this is so good.”
To us, that's like what Hattie B’s is to you guys where if you live in Nashville and you want hot chicken, like you're not going to go to the place that's got a queue halfway down the street when you can get just as good round the corner with no line. But yeah, if you want the best curries, Brick Lane in Shoreditch is your place to go.
"You know what, I have a friend who told me about Brick Lane."
Oh, mate, it is the best you'll find anywhere in the country, plus there are so many options that it’s so much cheaper and much better quality than places centrally.
“That's very good to know, I will be going to Brick Lane, Benjamin Francis Leftwich is a buddy of mine and he's told me about places there multiple times and I have not gone, but I think maybe this is my time to eat some curry with Ben on Brick Lane.”
You will not be disappointed! Coming on to your music, when I listen to your voice, to me as a Brit, if I was writing a cliché type Benny G, for fans of …… type bit, James Bay would be the guy that first comes to mind. It’s this whole sort of country-soul sound that you do, then you mentioned The Beatles were are a big influence but who else really helped shape it? Who were the artists that really drove what you want to do and shape your sound?
“I'd say I grew up listening to so much music, so my palate is like all over the place. I guess I'd say my Mount Rushmore, like, my GOATs are John Mayer and Chris Stapleton, I'd say those are my top two. I also grew up listening to James Taylor a lot, who I love and also CCR. I just love classic songwriting, I love storytelling and melodies that are simple but captivating. I feel like those classic songwriters and on a vocal level with Chris and John, just telling it with a guitar and singing the vocal, doing it simple, I love that approach to it all.”
In terms of the music that you're putting out yourself, we had two tracks at the end of last year, “An Hour or So” is incredible, just to say.
“Thank you.”
I think anyone that hears that for the first time, they're going to be oh my god, this is like my jam and my discovery of the festival, but where are we in terms of more new original music? I guess living in Nashville, you're working on stuff all the time so are you of at a stage where you've got a bunch of songs that we're working towards putting out and potentially leading to an extended project at some point?
“Yeah, so it's a lot of unannounced tea here, but I've been working with an amazing producer named Eddie Spear. He's done a lot of stuff with Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell and Marcus King, but me and him really click and love all the same old country records, old soul records and singer songwriter stuff. We’re working on a project right now and we actually just finished most of it, like the live tracking of it, so I'm super excited. I think we should be getting some mixes and master’s soon but yeah, we should have a lot of music coming out in the year that I'm super excited about.”
With the tracks that came out last year, you were co-producing as well, has that always been something that's excited you as much as been a songwriter and a performer, you know, doing the behind the scenes stuff as well?
“Yeah, I mean I kind of started doing it all by myself, like with the writing process, I really had my first co-writes when I came to Nashville, so I didn't know how to co-write really in the beginning when I came here. Then I was also producing everything myself early on, like on my computer, running Logic and just figuring out by myself how to do it. So, I feel like I'm just one of those people creatively, that just can't help but speak up and have ideas, you know like, how about this lap steel lick here? How about this guitar lick there? I'm just obsessed with every facet from the writing, recording, to the putting out process of music. With Eddie, I mean, I took, I don't want to say, a leap of faith, because he's literally a legend, but I felt I kind of had to take a step back from the production, because I really wanted to be pushed in ways as a singer, as a performer and let him kind of do a lot of the honing in on the production so I'm not as much in that role. I mean, obviously, I'm giving him ideas but I am letting him take the lead on all that stuff with this music that's about to come out. However, I just love being a part of all the process and even with letting him take the production over completely with this stuff, I'm still kind of chiming my two cents in with all of it.”
Lastly as you’re a guy from like Long Island, are you a Jets fan rather than a G-man?
“Oh, I am neither, this might rub you the wrong way, not sure like how invested in American football you are, but I used to love Tom Brady so I was a Patriots fan for a really long time and then when he had his run with the Buccaneers, I followed him there but I think I'm gonna be a Titans fan now.”
You all get drawn into it once you move there and you learn to accept mediocrity. It's like the music business is hard, it's an uphill battle so you may as well be a Titans fan that mirrors that in the NFL.
“Yeah, I mean, they're really not doing so great, well they've never really done that great, but I feel like at this point I can't be on a bandwagon for much longer.”
“Thank you.”
I think anyone that hears that for the first time, they're going to be oh my god, this is like my jam and my discovery of the festival, but where are we in terms of more new original music? I guess living in Nashville, you're working on stuff all the time so are you of at a stage where you've got a bunch of songs that we're working towards putting out and potentially leading to an extended project at some point?
“Yeah, so it's a lot of unannounced tea here, but I've been working with an amazing producer named Eddie Spear. He's done a lot of stuff with Zach Bryan, Sierra Ferrell and Marcus King, but me and him really click and love all the same old country records, old soul records and singer songwriter stuff. We’re working on a project right now and we actually just finished most of it, like the live tracking of it, so I'm super excited. I think we should be getting some mixes and master’s soon but yeah, we should have a lot of music coming out in the year that I'm super excited about.”
With the tracks that came out last year, you were co-producing as well, has that always been something that's excited you as much as been a songwriter and a performer, you know, doing the behind the scenes stuff as well?
“Yeah, I mean I kind of started doing it all by myself, like with the writing process, I really had my first co-writes when I came to Nashville, so I didn't know how to co-write really in the beginning when I came here. Then I was also producing everything myself early on, like on my computer, running Logic and just figuring out by myself how to do it. So, I feel like I'm just one of those people creatively, that just can't help but speak up and have ideas, you know like, how about this lap steel lick here? How about this guitar lick there? I'm just obsessed with every facet from the writing, recording, to the putting out process of music. With Eddie, I mean, I took, I don't want to say, a leap of faith, because he's literally a legend, but I felt I kind of had to take a step back from the production, because I really wanted to be pushed in ways as a singer, as a performer and let him kind of do a lot of the honing in on the production so I'm not as much in that role. I mean, obviously, I'm giving him ideas but I am letting him take the lead on all that stuff with this music that's about to come out. However, I just love being a part of all the process and even with letting him take the production over completely with this stuff, I'm still kind of chiming my two cents in with all of it.”
Lastly as you’re a guy from like Long Island, are you a Jets fan rather than a G-man?
“Oh, I am neither, this might rub you the wrong way, not sure like how invested in American football you are, but I used to love Tom Brady so I was a Patriots fan for a really long time and then when he had his run with the Buccaneers, I followed him there but I think I'm gonna be a Titans fan now.”
You all get drawn into it once you move there and you learn to accept mediocrity. It's like the music business is hard, it's an uphill battle so you may as well be a Titans fan that mirrors that in the NFL.
“Yeah, I mean, they're really not doing so great, well they've never really done that great, but I feel like at this point I can't be on a bandwagon for much longer.”
Dude, this has been fun, have a great rest of the day and we'll catch up properly in a couple of weeks over some beers, man.
“That sounds incredible man, thank you for having me.”
The latest track ‘Masterpiece’ from Benny G is out now and is available HERE and you can up to date with all that Benny is up to by following him socially on INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK & TIKTOK.
C2C: Country to Country will take place in Berlin and Rotterdam over the weekend of on Friday 6th to Sunday 8th March where you can full more details about the German event on their WEBSITE or on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK.
The event then heads to the UK for the following weekend where London, Belfast and Glasgow will host the showpiece of the country music calendar which you can more details and ticket information on their WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK)
“That sounds incredible man, thank you for having me.”
The latest track ‘Masterpiece’ from Benny G is out now and is available HERE and you can up to date with all that Benny is up to by following him socially on INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK & TIKTOK.
C2C: Country to Country will take place in Berlin and Rotterdam over the weekend of on Friday 6th to Sunday 8th March where you can full more details about the German event on their WEBSITE or on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK.
The event then heads to the UK for the following weekend where London, Belfast and Glasgow will host the showpiece of the country music calendar which you can more details and ticket information on their WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK)
