Plays mandolin, writes songs, and sings with "Kane's River" the Rockies-based bluegrass/newgrass group that's rapidly gaining national recognition, as well as with "Growling Old Men" a roots-based folk duo/trio with John Lowell and David Thompson.
Sits in on mandolin, octave mandolin, old time banjo, vocals, and bass with some of today's best musicians including Tony Furtado, Mike Dowling, Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, Tish Hinojosa, Bryan Bowers, The World Famous Stagecoach Band, Tom Rush, Chuck Pyle, Jalan Crossland, David Grier, Matt Flinner, and others.
Produces CD's and composes soundtracks in his studio-"The Henhouse" (which he built in his backyard), working with well-respected artists and organizations from all around the country.
Founding member of the popular neo-bluegrass band "Loose Ties" which toured and recorded between 1986-1996.
Established Snake River Records, an independent record label selling and distributing bluegrass and acoustic music, including the Loose Ties catalog and Ben's critically acclaimed solo album, "One Shoe Left."
Played bass with "The Judith Edelman Band" from 1997-1999, accompanied by world-class mandolinist Matt Flinner and fiddler extraordinaire Brian Wicklund.
Second place in the 1989 National Mandolin Championships and a finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival's NewFolk songwriting contest.
Honored with a Performing Arts Fellowship from the Idaho Commission on the Arts in 1990 for his contribution to the performing arts in Idaho.
Ben plays hand built mandolins by A. Lawrence Smart and Michael Heiden.
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