My Album "SOME KIND OF WONDER" includes : Cam King,( guitars, bass, percussion, vocals) Freddie Krc ( drums), Andrew Hardin,( guitar, tipple) Keith Carper (upright bass), Ross Holmes (fiddle) and Rahim Quazi (vocals). Cam King engineered it and co-produced it with me. I am currently working with guitarist Jon Wallace and Bassist Jeff Wallace and April Samuels in my band ROCKET GIRL!
I am playing classical flute/woodwind duets with David Lee Schloss. I perform as a solo act as well on both accoustic and electric guitars. I have worked with numerous bands in Texas including, The Rahim Quazi Band. Former acts include Colorwheel, Skirt, Chattervox, The Texas Mood Elevators.
Influences
Anything that can motivate folks to get up and make a positive difference in the world. Music and a good performer can do that- I try to do that, too---
I grew up listening to anything and everything I could get my hands on- I still do-
Any human out there who is putting passion into a cause of any sort that elevates
the soul condition is an inspiration.
Beethoven, Kitty Wells, Ian Anderson, Miles Davis, Beck ( yes, both of them) Bjork, Kate Bush, Willie Nelson , Buck Owens, Roland Kirk, Billy Bragg, BEATLES, Bee Gees, Queen , Foreigner, The Jam , The Clash, Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, Duke Ellington, eWilliams, Lena Horne, Billie Holliday, Woody Guthrie, Gershwin, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Heart, The Donnas , The Alarm, Chet Atkins, Pat Benetar, Patti Smythe, Carol Burnett, Nat king Cole, Madeline Khan, MLK, Ghandi, Janis Joplin, Buckminster Fuller, Annie Lennox. Pete Seeger, Mary Shelley, Leonard Cohen, Trent Reznor, Alan Jackson, Carole King, K.D. Lang, Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Cole Porter, Paul Hindemith, Elgar, Loretta Lynn, Ornette Coleman, Julius Baker, James Galway, Edith Piaf, Kermit, Racheal Carson, Oliver Sachs, U2, The Replacements, Dead Kennedys, The Pretenders, Blondie, Franz Ferdinand, Echo and the Bunnymen, Rilke, Bob Dylan,Patti Smith, Bessie Smith, Phoebe Snow, The Clash, The Waterboys, Danny Elfman, Nat King Cole, Bowie
Sounds Like
strong assertive flute lines, power vocals and hooky melodies and lyrics
Annie Benjamin is known for her vocal ability to go from 0 to 180 degrees in the blink of eye, driving flute licks and her alt-country-pop melodies and songwriting. She is the mom of two boys, a guerrilla gardener and confirmed chocoholic.
Annie decided at the age of 9 that she wanted to be a singer — so it was a good thing that she woke up one morning with a "voice the could stop traffic" at age 16. She first picked up flute at age 11, and at age 13 was recognized by the Texas Flute Club as an "outstanding young player". She went on to study with Claire Johnson at Southern Methodist University. Upon realizing that she didn’t want to follow the classical path, she hit the Dallas clubs and followed various blues artists including ZuZu Bolin, and learned to emulate blues licks on her flute. She first picked up guitar while in her 20s in order to write and accompany herself.
Throughout her career, Annie has followed a diverse path. She has performed in musical revues, theatrical productions, and has developed educational programs incorporating music and environmental awareness for elementary schools. She plays classical flute duets at swanky venues in the DFW area, and country music in dives and honky tonks. She has performed at The New Music Seminar, The Kerrville Folk Festival, and in 2006 was a featured songwriter at the National Folk Alliance.
In 2001 she released her first album Life’s Blessings on her label Rocket Girl Music, to critical acclaim, and she received rotation in the U.S. and Europe. In 2007 she released Some Kind of Wonder, which she co-produced with guitarist/songwriter/engineer Cam King. Dallas recording guru, Steve Browne mixed the album.
Her music has been featured on NPR’s Car Talk. She was recently filmed for a spot on a new TV series "The Art of Living" that will air in Spring of 2008.
In 2006 Annie, Jon and Jeff Wallace and April Samuels joined forces to form the Alt/ Americana band Rocket Girl. They have been cleared for take off and run on a high octane mixture of driving rock, classic country and caffeine.
She plays classical flute duets with David Lee Schloss and is involved with numerous charities throughout Texas. She is a member of Houston Association of Accoustic Musicians , is a former board member of the Dallas Songwriters Association, and is affiliated with BMI . She is passionate about autism awareness ( one of her sons has Asperger’s Syndrome) and about non-violent alternatives to conflict resolution........... And....... she really does believe that music can heal the world!
Please take a look at the eCard below and check out the lineup of great musicians who will be performing with me on June 16th at the Iridium. I am very excited!
Annie tickets are available for your gig at Mount Sequoayah, info for your fans:
Annie Benjamin Live !!! Saturday, May 16th, 2009 7 PM $10 admiission tickets available at the Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center and the Fayetteville Visitors Bureau and of course they can call me at Ox Cart, Inc. and I can be sure to get them to them.
Mount Sequoyah location and contact information is: The Mount Sequoyah Conference and Retreat Center 150 NW Skyline Dr. Fayetteville, AR 72701 479.443.4531 or 800.760.8126 FAX: 479.443.4569 www.mountsequoyah.org mail@mountsequoyah.org
Let your fans know if they have any friends in Northwest Arkansas to catch the show. We are looking forward to it.
Thanks for your friendship, Annie B! This is a commercial announcement: Perk up your Lounge Life with The Hi-Lifers at The Balcony Club in Lakewood tonight, 6:00 - 9:00. Rock on, Rocket Girl! All the best, The Hi-Lifers
You RAWK, Annie!!!! Jennifer Walz has yet a second video up now. I guess you've seen it. What fun. It was great playing with you again, as always. What a nice crowd. Saw Cody play guitar with the Eustace jazz big band yesterday. Good grief. I can't believe him. Stay safe, Billy Bucher
