Lance Benson: Journal

Thanks to all who came out and enjoyed Josh Harty fire side last weekend! We couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening to enjoy an outdoor concert. Many thanks to all invovled making it a great success, the stage, lights, sounds, and most important people showing up and supporting! Beautiful moment after the show with the fire side jam sessions with the stand up bass! Josh had a great time, and it was great to have him up for the weekend! Look forward to my next house show, only a month away, Mary Bue.....visit shows page for details, it the higher power shines down, it will be outside just like the last one!!

Hello friends & neighbors......forcast for this coming weekend looks to be outstanding! Josh Harty will be making his way up this Satruday to perform at my house for a house concert, the twist is, it's outside! I'm having a trialer brought in for a stage, lighting, and full sound baby! Doing it up right! I will have games in the yard for both adults & kids, big fire throughout the evening, and camping if folks are interested. RSVP's are coming in, but room for many more. If you are in the Bemidji area this weekend, and would like to party like a rock star....drop me a line, you can visit the SHOWS page for all info....cheers!

summer is flying by so fast, WOW! I keep getting reminded of how awesome my summer has been so far, lots of fun travels and adventures with more around the corner, but a little closer to home. Just finished up a weekend trip to Grand Rapids & Duluth/ Superior. Great shows all around but best of all I was able to have along some family. My Aunt & Cousin joined me on the road and we were able to head up the North Shore and do some amazing hikes, day was 80 degrees and beautiful! Took a swim in Lake Superior.....BURRR but made me feel very alive, love it baby! Also the most important stop at Betty's Pies before heading home. Beautiful moments for sure, look forward to going back in the Fall. My next shows keep me closer to home, it is wedding season for sure as I'm booked up for many this year, and already getting calls for next year. This weekend sees me at two big weekend bashes, I will be gig hopping ( never done that before) as I've been booked two places for Saturday night ( on purpose I may add ) should be a great time seeing old and new friends. I hope summer is finding your spirit well, looking forward to the rest of it for sure..peace-

Arizona is beautifully hot.....next tour will be in the winter for sure, but I had other events that brought me to town so the tour was around that. Fidder's Dream in Pheonix was a highlight so far this year, wonderful venue, great crowd, good people all around. My routine down here starts with a cup of coffee while I float in the pool for an hour or so, breakfast, back in the pool, lunch, back in the pool, then a show, and then yes back in the pool. It has been around 107 each day. but the heat feels great. Made many new friends this weekend, great succuss!! Pictures will be posted when I get back!!

After many more great shows, nice to have a some moments to relax and be at home, I know my dogs are very happy about that! This past month has been awesome crazy with travels to Rochester, MN... Mpls, and Fargo, along with many other private events way up North. I've had the blessing to continue to take my family and friends on the road with me this month, and we lived it up for sure! Looking forward to the upcoming summer shows....my first journey to Arizona in a couple weeks, looking forward to getting tan...burned...whatever comes my way. I make a swing to Grand Rapids & Duluth in July, look forward to seeing some of you at those show, thanks for the support this year, it's been a fun ride!

Amazing to see that I woke up to almost 2 feet of snow in my yard yesterday, and a the drifts were taller than me on my roof! Needless to say the show in Woodbury was rescheduled for May 17th. I made the attempt to take a quick trip down to the store in the afternoon and much work it was, but I have to say as I looked out my window after mowing last week, I was trying to remember what my yard looked like covered in snow....well my question was answered. In 10 years of performing I've only cancelled one show ever...so it was a little wierd to have to cancel, but looking on the bright side....the trip down in a few weeks will be kick ass, as I know lots of people have interest in attending the show. Look forward to seeing you in a few!

Well, as I've been snowed into my home after over a foot of snow has fallen after the Mark Reeves Concert here at my house, gives me a good chance to update the journal over a good cup of coffee.

Mark Reeves was like a magnet as he performed two sets starting his first one at 8:00pm. The capacity of my home was....well lets just say if the fire marshal showed up we would have been shut down. Mark had the crowed in the palm of his hand as he performed songs from his 1998 release 'it takes a while to get like this' and his 2004 release 'sure is a pretty name'.The crowed hooted and hollered as he moved from one song from the next, and joined in on many sing alongs. The pure volume of the crowed in my small home gave you shivers it was so magic. He was greeted with a standing ovation that I'm sure my neighbors could hear for miles....well okay blocks!

As the night wrapped up with his last number, the crowd was able to meet Mark, get CD's signed, and ask questions of "how did you do that". As the crowd began to thin, the few that stuck around were able to enjoy the company of Reeves over a fire outside as we watched the first snow fall that would soon accumulate to over a foot!

1:00am saw a beautiful moment as we fired up the PA once more and had a huge jam session with Mark, sharing new songs and many of us singing his songs back to him.....best moment of my year so far!

Thanks for the support of all how attended, Mark & I had a wonderful time! I know my friend Jon took over 500 pictures, so I will have those up as soon as I get copies! peace-love-music!

Seems over the winter I've had many visits to Duluth & Superior both for shows & outdoor adventure. This past weekend was another fun filled adventure with an outstanding 7 mile hike on the Superior Trail before one of the best shows I've had in a while at the Red Mug Coffeehouse in Superior. If you are ever in the area, stop in for a Vegi Panini....they are amazing! Thanks to Ann & staff @ Red Mug & to the wonderful crowd that kept me company for 2 hours. Ventured over to Spirit Mountain again to find excellent conditions, and the snowboarding park open. I learned how to ride the pipe, hit some major rails, and launch myself into another planet. It was a good warm up for my trip out to Aspen Colorado next week. I was planning on doing some shows out there, but time didn't allow in the schedule, maybe an open mic night.

Next gig is my house Concert with Mark Reeves from Canada. Visit the shows page to make your reservation, you won't want to miss this performance, he will blow you away!

Cheers!

Last weekend @ Brigid's Cross was beautiful. I have never performed in a bar setting that I could hear a pin drop after each song, thanks for all who came out on short notice, and kept me company for 4 hours! Shows have been extremely fun so far this year, I've been very blessed to have Mark Bauer joining me on many shows adding his blend of djembe's, shakers, & rain sticks, along with good company. A week off to do some fishing way up north, then back to Brainerd next weekend @ the Electic Cafe. Eric Carlson will be joining me again at this venue, good times ahead!

Thanks to all in Grand Rapids that came out to the show, and thanks for the encore! We had a wonderful trip over, great supper (thanks to Sandra & Chirs) fun show and relaxing drive home. Looking forward to my next visit this summer @ Brewed Awakenings!

I just booked a last minute show @ Brigid's Cross in Bemidji for the Polar Daze weekend. It's this Saturday at 8PM, no cover! See you there!

Happy New Year to all! I've been enjoying the down time of the year for sure taking advantage of all the northwoods has to offer. Been playing guitar a lot around the home & with friends, good stuff. Enjoyed a beautiful evening on the lake doing a little ice fishing, hit the woods with some friends that were up from Minneapolis, we tracked some nice trails with our snow shoes, it was awesome. Hit good old buena vista (ski hill) today doing some snowboarding with a group of good friends, great conditions and awesome snow park for the boarders. Caught some good air, and good slides! Bringing in the new year with lots of guitar playing and enjoying good company! I hope everyone has a safe & peaceful new year...it is meant to be that way!

Greetings everyone! I hope the holiday season has brought much peace for all of you with friends & family. I sure enjoyed some down time with family and performing the candle light service on Christmas eve @ the Methodist Church in Bemidji. I want to take this oppurtunity to send a cheers to all of you who have supported me & my music this past year with the release of the new album, it has been such a blessing to be out performing and having people come out to the shows. I've been in my booking happy place lately booking shows every other weekend out & about around MN, WI, ND and June will see my first visit to AZ! Wishing all of you and yours peace, love & happiness this holiday season!

Duluth is beautiful! What a great weekend. Left early Saturday morning & spent some time hiking on the North Shore at Gooseberry Falls, had a nice back country lunch in the woods. Hiked to the point around dark, it was so quite and peaceful. Made our way down to the show, and what an evening. I opened the show for Stacy K & Mary Bue, what talented songwriters, and new friends. Check them out for sure! Just when you thought the weekend couldn't get any better...... it does! Hit Spirit Mountain on Sunday afternoon to do some snowboarding and it was amazing, so much snow this year. Look forward to getting back there! Perfect weekend, thanks to all involved, a few pics will be posted soon!

It has been great to be back out on the road from time to time! Superior & Fargo were fun road trips, great venues. Look forward to my return to both places next year! Photo page is updated with a few pics from each show. Exciting to see so much snow the past few days, snowboarding has begun, and I look forward to hitting many different ski places in my travels this winter, Spirit Mountain in a couple weeks in Duluth, YES! Look forward to seeing anyone out at the upcoming shows, Happy Holidays...peace!

JR did it again, rocked the house. Thanks for all who came out and enjoyed this awesome performer. Also thanks to the crew that helped with the explosion that happened in the kitchen, appreciate the help cleaning. My friend Jon took some AMAZING pics from the show, and I hope to have them up in the next week or so, look for them soon on the photo page.

Next house show in March featuring Mark Reeves from Winnipeg, visit the shows page for all details, and make an RSVP if you would like to attend!

Brainerd was cool, Eric Carlson & friends joined me at the cool Eclectic Cafe for a night of just pure fun! I picked up a new roadie, I was doing my load in just in front of the venue and I had placed my mic stand behind the vehicle and when I went to grab it, it was missing. As I looked down the street I could see someone (little on the tipsy side) carrying my mic stand.....ummm....excuse me.......but she just wanted to be of help, so she claimed herself to be a roadie! Thanks Brainerd, had much fun!

A sincere thank you to everyone who attended the show on Saturday. The energy in the theatre was beautiful! I appreciate the hometown support, many of you bought LOTS of CD's...thank you! The crew & band enjoyed the evening & audience very much, it was magic. Lets do it again sometime!

Local singer/songwriter Lance Benson will celebrate his latest album with a CD release party in downtown Bemidji.

His fifth album is titled “Mornings & Afternoons” and will be commemorated with a party at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Chief Theater of the Paul Bunyan Playhouse.

“I wanted this effort to be a roller coaster, to have a four-piece band on a song, then break it down to just me and my guitar, then the next one (would) maybe have a shaker, and build from there,” Benson said in a press release. “(I wanted to) take the listener on a ride with highs and lows. We captured exactly what I was looking for.”

“Mornings & Afternoons” was recorded by Gary Burger in June and features Benson and many guest musicians.

Tickets for the CD release party are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. They went on sale Oct. 1 and are available at Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub, KRKB Music Outlet, and Overbeek Electronics & Music. More information about tickets and upcoming show dates is available online at lancebenson.com.

Benson’s past albums include “M.E.” (released in 1998), “What to Say” (1999), “World to Me” (2000) and “Gestures” (2002).

Between albums, Benson has gone on tour, including stints following the release of “World to Me” and “Gestures.” In 2000-01, he logged more than 40,000 miles as he took his music on the road.

“I love the aspect of touring; having a gig to get to is a beautiful thing,” he said in a news release. “I love checking into my hotel or campsite, dinner before the show, the sound check, and most of all, performing for new friends.”

Following the release of “Mornings & Afternoons” Benson plans to book performances every other weekend.

“I enjoy a full-time tour, but also enjoy my home life,” he said. “After touring so much, I’ve realized what makes me happy, and that is to make a blend of life and music.”

I'm very excited to announce some performances that will be one's to remember! I've booked Justin Roth (http://www.justinroth.com) to perform in my home on November 10th, and Mark Reeves (http://www.markreeves.com) for next year on March 29th. House concerts are beautiful and intimate. I'm also very lucky I will be able to open both shows! Visit the shows page for booking your seat!

Thanks to everyone who came out to Common Grounds in Longville, you were all a great audience! I look forward to my return visit next summer.

The new album has arrived. Release show on the 20th of October but things are looking good to have the album up for presale before then right here in the store on the website. Things are moving in a good direciton and I'm greatful to be back out doing shows again.

See you soon!

I'm very excited to announce my CD release show @ the Paul Bunyan Playhouse on October 20th! I've always dreamed of having my own show at that theater! I've been booking other shows closer to home for the fall/winter. I'm excited to get back out there and perform again, I love all aspects of having a show. The drive, the soundcheck, supper, and best of all playing the show and meeting everyone after the gig. If anyone has any venue ideas that they think I should be performing at, send over an email and I'll look into it for sure! Enjoy the rest of the summer!

The new album is mixed & mastered and just about ready to be sent off for duplication! Things are sounding good! Eric Addington joined me last weekend in the studio to add some magic guitar work! 12 songs, 11 origianl and yes I did a cover song this time around! "Yukon Sally" by Peter Mayer, it turned out very well, Peter will be proud! Hometown show this fall to release the project, I'm working on a cool venue and with some fun events after the show. I should know soon what the plan is and it will be posted on the schedule page! Until then, peace-love-music!

Two days completed in the studio and good vibes all around. The cool thing about recording is that you have no idea what to expect with your thoughts of how you think it will sound. It is always beyond those thoughts. If you enjoy my 2000 effort "world to me" you will dig some broke down tunes on this album for sure. We have captured a band sound with a simple four piece that reflects my 2002 cd "gestures" but has a much more laid back approach. I made a rule that I won't place an electric guitar on this album, it's so tempting, but it won't happen. Keep it simple! Small break and then I return to the studio with Eric Addington, and maybe couple other "guests" to enhance! Beautiful stuff!

To anyone reading the journal, we are one week away from entering the studio to begin my fifth studio album! Practice sessions have been moving & Therapeutic . I have teamed up with Mark Bradley ( back bone of Gestures) once again and also Mark Bauer ( back bone of World to Me). Should be vibrant to have the Marks together in the studio! Gary Broste joins me again. He helped out a year ago on a song I recorded for my wedding and truly was a blessing to have in the studio, I'm looking forward to his grooves. Kristi Miller on Mandolin that will be a key instrument on this album, our sessions have been great! Some other guests will show here and there, that is the beauty of recording, who knows what will happen. I will be posting pictures from the sessions so keep a look at the photo page! Good things to come...

Thanks to all who came out and joined me @ the 71! What a fun performance, the crowd was very kind. Thanks to Rachael & the gang for coming out just to see my play, I think that is so cool. Enjoyed meeting everyone else in your group! The time @ Jammers was a fun event as well!