Ben* Jam
In 1999 this world lost a
treasure with the passing of Terry Ray Smith. The uncle of Rev. Benjamin
Blankenship, Terry was a singer/songwriter, whose abilities as a musician had
him to play: guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, & flute. Throughout the the
course of his life he’d spent his years playing in one rock band to another.
Musically they had several successes, such as the night they opened & played
with Chuck Berry. In 1966 his’ band “The
Mods” won the Battle of The Bands in Toledo, Ohio causing them to record a 2
song 45 with Peck Records. Both songs were originals written & composed by
Terry & his’ brother Larry Smith. Sadly, with his’ great talents much of
Terry’s life was squandered. He lived a life consumed by alcohol, drugs, and regret.
At Terry’s passing Benjamin prayed that The Lord would give him that talent which
he had for songwriting, so that God might be glorified. Instantaneously the
power of almighty God came down filling the room with holy power. Immediately
Benjamin had the ability to write songs. At that very moment God had given him
an intense vision of works & a great desire to implement all that He’d
blessed him with. Over the years Ben honed his’ talents, sending out demos to a
handful of Southern Gospel Artists. Sadly, none took. Yet with each set back
Benjamin was forced to go one step further, and push greater, and fight harder.
What turned into sending out demos quickly turned into recording 2 full album
(You Need The Holy Ghost Volume 1&2), which turned into a part-time hometown
Southern Gospel group with soundtracks, which turned into a Southern Gospel band
that played live music. More albums were being released. Apparel baring the name
BEN*JAM began to sell. BEN*JAM increasingly began to build a stronger internet
web presence.
Playing at Churches, Parks, Fairs,
Restaurants, Conventions, Singing Halls, Gospel Singing Barns, Festivals,
Private Parties, Television Shows, & Radio Stations scattered across the
South Eastern United States, BEN*JAM has always strived to do more. Amongst some
of the Gospel venues they‘ve played are: The Kentucky Southern Gospel Singing
Convention, Pat’s Heavenly Jubilee, Judy’s Barn, Singing in the Pines, National
Quartet Convention.
Having won award in both Country &
Gospel genres their fan base is ever growing and they’ve been ushered onto a
wider stage. BEN*JAM has opened for bluegrass, rock, country, and gospel artists
alike. Amongst some of the traditionally secular venues which have host BEN*JAM
are: Big Mama’s Karaoke Café, The Country Tonite Theater, Ciderville Farm &
Home Show, & Knoxville Harley Davidson.
- – - BEN*JAM MUSICAL INFLUENCES – -
-
*
Southern Gospel Influences: The Happy Goomans, The Hinsons, & The
Paynes.
*
Rockabilly Influences: Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, & Elvis
Pressley
*
Country Music Influences: George Strait, Johnny Cash, & Willie
Nelson
- – - AWARDS – - -
- – - B E N * J A M – -
-
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): BEST CD
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): BEST VIDEO
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): MOST PROMISING BAND
(2012 NACMAI AWARDS) MOST PROMISING
BAND
(2012 NACMAI AWARDS) HORIZON
ALBUM
(2012 JoyFest Talent) 1ST RUNNER UP
(BAND)
treasure with the passing of Terry Ray Smith. The uncle of Rev. Benjamin
Blankenship, Terry was a singer/songwriter, whose abilities as a musician had
him to play: guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, & flute. Throughout the the
course of his life he’d spent his years playing in one rock band to another.
Musically they had several successes, such as the night they opened & played
with Chuck Berry. In 1966 his’ band “The
Mods” won the Battle of The Bands in Toledo, Ohio causing them to record a 2
song 45 with Peck Records. Both songs were originals written & composed by
Terry & his’ brother Larry Smith. Sadly, with his’ great talents much of
Terry’s life was squandered. He lived a life consumed by alcohol, drugs, and regret.
At Terry’s passing Benjamin prayed that The Lord would give him that talent which
he had for songwriting, so that God might be glorified. Instantaneously the
power of almighty God came down filling the room with holy power. Immediately
Benjamin had the ability to write songs. At that very moment God had given him
an intense vision of works & a great desire to implement all that He’d
blessed him with. Over the years Ben honed his’ talents, sending out demos to a
handful of Southern Gospel Artists. Sadly, none took. Yet with each set back
Benjamin was forced to go one step further, and push greater, and fight harder.
What turned into sending out demos quickly turned into recording 2 full album
(You Need The Holy Ghost Volume 1&2), which turned into a part-time hometown
Southern Gospel group with soundtracks, which turned into a Southern Gospel band
that played live music. More albums were being released. Apparel baring the name
BEN*JAM began to sell. BEN*JAM increasingly began to build a stronger internet
web presence.
Playing at Churches, Parks, Fairs,
Restaurants, Conventions, Singing Halls, Gospel Singing Barns, Festivals,
Private Parties, Television Shows, & Radio Stations scattered across the
South Eastern United States, BEN*JAM has always strived to do more. Amongst some
of the Gospel venues they‘ve played are: The Kentucky Southern Gospel Singing
Convention, Pat’s Heavenly Jubilee, Judy’s Barn, Singing in the Pines, National
Quartet Convention.
Having won award in both Country &
Gospel genres their fan base is ever growing and they’ve been ushered onto a
wider stage. BEN*JAM has opened for bluegrass, rock, country, and gospel artists
alike. Amongst some of the traditionally secular venues which have host BEN*JAM
are: Big Mama’s Karaoke Café, The Country Tonite Theater, Ciderville Farm &
Home Show, & Knoxville Harley Davidson.
- – - BEN*JAM MUSICAL INFLUENCES – -
-
*
Southern Gospel Influences: The Happy Goomans, The Hinsons, & The
Paynes.
*
Rockabilly Influences: Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, & Elvis
Pressley
*
Country Music Influences: George Strait, Johnny Cash, & Willie
Nelson
- – - AWARDS – - -
- – - B E N * J A M – -
-
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): BEST CD
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): BEST VIDEO
(2011
TCGMA AWARDS): MOST PROMISING BAND
(2012 NACMAI AWARDS) MOST PROMISING
BAND
(2012 NACMAI AWARDS) HORIZON
ALBUM
(2012 JoyFest Talent) 1ST RUNNER UP
(BAND)