We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ben Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ben below.
Ben, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
In late 2020, I came across a true crime podcast called, “In The Red Clay.” It is the true story of the Dixie Mafia operating out of Winder, Georgia in the 1960s and ’70s, focused on the life of a man named, Billy Sunday Birt. He is the deadliest man in Georgia history, a hitman, bank robber, bootlegger, and he and his car have been inducted into the Moonshine Hall of Fame as the fastest car and driver of the stock care era. His son and grandson, Stoney and Stone, run a micro-distillery out of Winder. In December of 2o20, I stopped in to meet Stoney, try some whiskey, and hear stories. In that first meeting, I told Stoney about my intentions to write some songs about his dad and their stories from the podcast. He challenged me to start, that very moment. Within half an hour, I had a song. Since then, my cowriters and I have compiled 14 songs about Billy Sunday Birt and the Dixie Mafia. It turns out that, there is interest in turning the podcast into a series on one of the streaming platforms. While this is all preliminary, there is a hope that these songs will be included as a television series is developed. Whatever the outcome, the experience of getting to know Stoney Birt and his family while creating these songs with a group of incredibly talented songwriters has been well worth the time spent. This list of songwriters include: Tyler Bank, Ross Martin, Delaney Ramsdell, J Kyle Reynolds, and Max Woolery.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I picked up the guitar when I was in middle school and began writing songs soon after. Creating became a way of coping with life, an outlet where I could basically be my own therapist. Way leads on to way and, after college, I decided to give music a shot and bet on myself; recording an EP and moving to Nashville in 2017. Six years of writing and splitting time between working and playing shows, I am still growing and learning what it means to succeed in the music business. I have been apart of the television show, “Nashville,” as an extra, been in two major music videos (“Down to the Honkytonk” -Jake Owen, “In Your Love” -Tyler Childers), learned to distill whiskey, and released new music.
My music is heavily influenced by country music of the twentieth century, everything from: George Strait, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Buck Owens, Webb Pierce, and Tom T. Hall. More modern influences include: Eric Church, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, and Christ Stapleton. I strive to create narratives that reflect real life and resonate with others while causing some toes to tap. My two most recent releases are, “Enough of You,” and, “Lord Willin’.” All my music is available on all major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
It has never been easier to create and put out music. That being said, there has never been more to sift through to find the “diamonds in the rough.” When you discover a new artist that you enjoy, there are ways to encourage and support that may not seem as obvious as others. We always appreciate the streams and shares, but the royalties from the streaming platforms are minimal until you hit the millions in play counts. As fans, you can better support artists you like by buying their merchandise or music directly, sharing their music with friends, buying tickets to their shows, connecting on social media, and even reaching out to let that artist know you are a fan, maybe some venues in your area they could come play. It is not always easy to know where your fan base is. While most creatives are not motivated to create because of money, it is necessary to help that artist continue to create. The voting power of the wallet cannot be ignored.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me when I will move on to something more stable, I would be able to fund my music career for some time. I think something that is misunderstood, when it comes to songwriters, is that we write for amusement or hobby. When you have been writing for over a decade, this is no hobby, it is a way of life. Music is something that we songwriters cannot shake. The way the industry is set up, consumers have very little choice in who they hear on their radio dials. Songs are funneled to artists that are established, in lieu of taking a chance on a new upstart. New artists are selected based on streaming numbers and followers. The only diversity left in the machine is the songwriter. We all continue to write, living on the hope that the power of a song is enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Benwilsoncountry
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benwilsoncountry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenWilsonCountry/