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!
Ah, Annie, Wait until you see me in the one where I am a swim team coach with all my tropies!!! I didn't want to hit you with too many heart-pounding images at one time. LOL. Billy Backstroke Bucher
I am all of the above. Loved the music and the afternoon and love taking pictures of the whole band. What a group Rocket Girl is. All my best, Billy Bucher
Annie, I just have a blast putting together a photo show on Kidd Springs under new "Dallas Sounds" photo album. Tell your friends to come in and comment. I just love comments, sigh, being a Virgo. All my best, Billy Bucher
Y'all sounded great at Kidd Springs today. It was really a nice sound and that sound was very full and beautiful. Turned out to not be so hot after all. Will get some pictures up tomorrow. All my best, Billy Bucher
well thank u i appreciate that i dont rly think so tho but mb thats because im a little bit self-conscious of myself but it makes me feel good when i get a compliment and i probably will come back some time!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo
Last night!!! Last night!!! Annie came see me drum last night, And the Sharks and the Jet, Can just go to the big Heck!!! Hmm, guess I'm no poet yet. Billy Backbeat Bucher
Annie, I'm Caro from TELEPATÍA and I want to tell you something. I've been listening your work and I enjoy so much, I like it, is what I mean. My english is not really good. Sorry, but I think you understand me.
Well, all the best 4 you keep doing your work, and thanks 4 the req!
