Bio
King Benny
Tony Cordes - Drums, Vocals
Benjamin Cordes - Guitar, Vocals
Brian Deeds - Bass
King Benny is a Blues/Rock based band out of a small river town by the Mississippi River called Louisiana, Missouri.
The band blends influences from the Delta Blues of the 1920's and 30's with the Electrified Blues and Folk Music of the 1960's, as well as rock and roll from the the 70's to form their sound. Their original music prompted Woodstock co-creator, Artie Kornfeld to call them "A Bluesier version of The Band".
The band was featured on Kornfeld's "Spirt Show". Guitarist Ben Cordes stated, "I always dreamt of playing Woodstock, so being on Artie's show, was the 2nd best thing. It's nice to know that the man that helped bring Woodstock together digs what you're doing".
As far as influences, Cordes states "We grew up on so many different styles of music, so it's natural that all of those styles are blended in to our sound. We want everyone who comes to a show to hear something they like. So if you can merge all that stuff together, your crowd is bound to get in to it and walk away happy."
When guitarist Benjamin Cordes started playing guitar, the first music he was drawn to was The Blues. He has jammed on stage with many Blues greats like, Walter Trout, Larry McCray, Tab Benoit, Corey Stevens, the late-great Michael Burks, Wayne Baker Brooks, Shawn Kellerman, Marquise Knox, and Bernard Allison. Cordes says, "Jamming on stage with guys like that, is the best guitar lesson you can ever have." The band has also opened for Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Jimmie Vaughan, Elmore James Jr., Eric Gales, Dale Watson, Samantha Fish, The Mavericks, Anthony Gomes, Guitar Shorty, Irma Thomas, Albert Castiglia, Albert Cummings as well as a few non-blues artists such as CMA award winner Sara Evans, 70's Rock band Molly Hatchet, and Grammy Award Winners, The Kentucky Headhunters and TV's "The Voice" Winner, Sundance Head. The band has backed Grammy Nominated, BB King Entertainer of the Year winner, Tab Benoit. “He use to come to my home town quite a bit to play and I had jammed with him on several occasions, but to have the whole band on stage with him as his backing band was really cool for all of us”, says guitarist Benjamin Cordes. The band also got the opportunity to back Nashville Session Musicians Johnny Hiland and Ronnie Lutrick. Hiland is considered one of the best guitarists in the world and Lutrick is a well respected Nashville bassist. The band toured in Europe with former Chess Records Artist/St. Louis Soul/Blues legend, Barbara Carr. Carr and the band became friends a few years ago when the band was playing a show in Louisiana, Missouri. "She got up on stage with us and the whole place exploded and we've been friends ever since".
Their latest project "From The Porch", is a blend of Americana and Delta Blues. Inspired by folklore of the 1920's and 30's, the songs touch up on stories about The Great Depression, Prohibition, Farm Droughts, Heartbreak and Loss, as well as the uplifting feeling of being baptized in a river after attending a tent revival. King Benny have been making a name for themselves in the Midwest music market, having played several festivals and clubs as well as getting airplay in major radio markets.
For booking information, click the "Booking Link" above or CLICK HERE
