Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, it is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populous parish—the equivalent of count ...
in 2001 as a simple folk-rock duo, but quickly grew into a popular regional band. Eventually expanding into a six-piece group, the Benjy Davis Project has recorded four albums and two EPs. They have played across the country as headliners and support act on shows with
John Mayer
John Clayton Mayer ( ; born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born and raised in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Mayer attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but left and moved to Atlanta in 1997 with ...
,
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock band based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and signed with The End Records. The band formed in 1988 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and consists of Kevin Griffin (vocals and guitar), Tom Drummond (bass ...
North Mississippi All-Stars
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north'' is ...
and others, as well as events like the
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (commonly called Jazz Fest or Jazzfest) is an annual celebration of local music and culture held at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana. Jazz Fest attracts thousands of vi ...
. In 2009 and 2010, the band performed at
Hotel Carolina
Hotel Carolina was an annual singer-songwriter music festival which began as a single annual event, held in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The Hotel Carolina roster has since expanded to also include events in Philadelphia and St. Pete Beach, F ...
, an annual two-day singer-songwriter festival held in
South Carolina
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, anthem = "Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind"
, Former = Province of South Carolina
, seat = Columbia
, LargestCity = Charleston
, LargestMetro = G ...
.
History
The Early Years (2001-2007)
Louisiana singer/songwriter Benjy Davis formed the Benjy Davis Project as a folk-rock duo in Baton Rouge in 2001. Originally, the group members were Davis and drummer Mic Capdevielle. Eventually, the outfit expanded into a six-piece with the addition of Anthony Rushing (violin, mandolin, vocals), Jonathan Lawhun (guitar, banjo), Brett Bolden (bass) (later replaced by Matt Rusnak), and Michael Galasso (harmonica, keyboards, vocals). The group self-released its first album '' More Than Local'' on June 11, 2002 and an EP ''
The Practice Sessions
Benjy Davis Project was formed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2001 as a simple folk-rock duo, but quickly grew into a popular regional band. Eventually expanding into a six-piece group, the Benjy Davis Project has recorded four albums and two EPs. ...
'', on May 4, 2004. Bogalusa issued their second full-length album, '' The Angie House'', on September 27, 2005. The song "Sweet Southern Moon" was featured in a 2007 advertisement campaign for Louisiana-based Abita Brewing Company.
Dust (2007-2010)
Real Records stepped in to handle their third full-length release, ''
Dust
Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in ...
'', released on September 18, 2007. Benjy Davis Project was soon signed to
Rock Ridge Music
Rock Ridge Music is an independent record label and artist management company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, it has signed, managed, and/or promoted artists including Reel Big Fish, Sister Hazel, Rachel Platten, Matthew Perryma ...
in August 2008, and re-released ''
Dust
Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in ...
'' on November 4, 2008. The new release was remixed and included three new songs. ''
Dust
Dust is made of fine particles of solid matter. On Earth, it generally consists of particles in the atmosphere that come from various sources such as soil lifted by wind (an aeolian process), volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust in ...
'' was produced by
David Z
David Z may refer to:
* David Z (producer)
* ''David Z.'' or ''David Z. Norton'', a sister ship of the ''Robert S. Pierson''
{{disambiguation ...
(
Prince
A prince is a Monarch, male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary title, hereditary, in s ...
,
Fine Young Cannibals
Fine Young Cannibals (FYC) was a British pop rock band formed in Birmingham, England, in 1984, by bassist David Steele (musician), David Steele, guitarist Andy Cox (both formerly of The Beat (British band), The Beat), and singer Roland Gift (fo ...
,
Jonny Lang
Jon Gordon Langseth Jr. (born January 29, 1981), known as Jonny Lang, is an American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has made five albums that have charted on the top 50 of the ''Billboard'' 200 chart and has w ...
,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Kenny Wayne Shepherd (born Kenny Wayne Brobst; June 12, 1977) is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He has released several studio albums and experienced significant commercial success as a blues artist.
Life and career
Shepherd wa ...
, Big Head Todd & the Monsters) and was the culmination of all the best creative parts from the band's past. “These sessions were more raw, more real,” Davis said. “David wanted to record us where we were and how we played at that moment in time. And we were introduced to more elements of the arrangement process, the architecture. And we did it in four days, so there was more pressure to perform, in a good way.”
In January 2009, The Benjy Davis Project appeared on
The Rock Boat
The Rock Boat is an annual rock music-themed "floating music festival at sea" aboard a cruise ship. It takes place in different locations each cruise, with several dozen bands performing in each cruise.Sister Hazel. In July 2009 labelmate
Tony Lucca
Tony may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer
* Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leag ...
joined their tour as their supporting act.
Lost Souls Like Us (2010-2013)
Benjy Davis Project released their fourth studio album, ''
Lost Souls Like Us
''Lost Souls Like Us'' is Benjy Davis Project's fourth studio album, released on March 2, 2010. It was recorded at Rivergate Studios in Hendersonville, TN. The album featured the current band line-up of Benjy Davis and Mic Capdevielle. In additio ...
'', on March 2, 2010. ''
Lost Souls Like Us
''Lost Souls Like Us'' is Benjy Davis Project's fourth studio album, released on March 2, 2010. It was recorded at Rivergate Studios in Hendersonville, TN. The album featured the current band line-up of Benjy Davis and Mic Capdevielle. In additio ...
'' was recorded at Rivergate Studios in Hendersonville, TN and was co-produced by Bobby Capps (
38 Special 38 Special may refer to:
* .38 Special, a revolver cartridge
* 38 Special (band)
38 Special (also stylized as .38 Special or spelled out as Thirty-Eight Special) is an American rock band that was formed by Donnie Van Zant and Don Barnes in 1 ...
) and Jason Spiewak. The album featured the current band line-up of Benjy Davis and Mic Capdevielle. In addition to Davis and Capdevielle, the album featured a cast of seasoned studio musicians: Mark "Sparky" Matejka of
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd ( ) is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ( ...
, Danny Chauncey of
38 Special 38 Special may refer to:
* .38 Special, a revolver cartridge
* 38 Special (band)
38 Special (also stylized as .38 Special or spelled out as Thirty-Eight Special) is an American rock band that was formed by Donnie Van Zant and Don Barnes in 1 ...
and Jason "Slim" Gambill of
Lady Antebellum
Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum) is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006. The group is composed of Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar) ...
all contributed guitar parts; Ethan Pilzer ( Jewel,
Big & Rich
Big & Rich is an American country music duo composed of Big Kenny and John Rich, both of whom are songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists. Before the duo's foundation, Rich was bass guitarist in the country band Lonestar, while Kenny was a sol ...
) played bass; Spiewak and Capps played piano and organ; and Sara Jean Kelley sang background vocals.
Benjy Davis Project toured extensively over the next year in support of ''
Lost Souls Like Us
''Lost Souls Like Us'' is Benjy Davis Project's fourth studio album, released on March 2, 2010. It was recorded at Rivergate Studios in Hendersonville, TN. The album featured the current band line-up of Benjy Davis and Mic Capdevielle. In additio ...
''. In January 2011 they released a digital-only album called ''Sincerely'' featuring acoustic renditions of several songs from previous albums, as well as a new track called "Crashes". Since February 2011 the band has been on hiatus, citing the need to "clear their heads, re-energize and to allow Davis some time to write new songs".
Solo album (2014-present)
On January 21, 2014, Benjy Davis released a 10-track, self-titled debut solo album. In 2018, Davis signed a songwriting deal with
Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an American independent record label, distributed by Universal Music Group. Specializing in country and pop artists, Big Machine is based on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. The label was founded in September 2005 by for ...
. Some of his songs have been recorded by country music artists
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band founded in 1999. The band members were Gary LeVox (lead vocals), Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, background vocals), and Joe Don Rooney (lead guitar, background vocals). DeMarcus is LeVox's second co ...
Jake Owen
Joshua Ryan Owen (born August 28, 1981), known professionally as Jake Owen, is an American country music singer, songwriter, and actor. Signed to RCA Nashville in 2006, he released his debut studio album, ''Startin' with Me'', that year.
This ...
.
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays (EPs)
Compilations
Members
Current members
* Benjy Davis - vocals, guitar
* Mic Capdevielle - drums, percussion, vocals
Former Members
* Anthony Rushing - violin, mandolin, vocals
* Brett Bolden - bass
* Jonathan Lawhun - lead guitar, banjo
* Matt Rusnak - bass
* Michael Galasso - piano, B3 organ, wurlitzer, harmonica, vocals
* Patrick Hernandez - guitar, vocals
* Will Leblanc - bass