We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lance Benson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lance, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

In 1998, shy of my graduation from High School, I was spending the day with a friend at his home. We enjoyed a beautiful day on the lake fishing, followed by an evening of listening to music and visiting. I was so excited to share an album that was just released by two classmates, Brian Miller and Eric Carlson, called ‘Friday’. I’m still inspired by this album. We listened to Friday enjoying each lyric, note, and melody. After listening to Brian and Eric’s album my friend asked if I had any new songs. I played a couple of newer unfinished songs but was still in awe of what we had just listened to. I was distracted. My friend asked, “Why don’t you make an album?” I couldn’t even start to comprehend where to begin such an undertaking, let alone how to pay for it. When I told him that, he kindly asked me to look into recording and production companies and he would cover the costs. He truly gave me the confidence and support needed to spread my wings. A couple of months later we were sitting next to each other at Gary Burgers (The Monks) recording studio in Turtle River, MN tracking 10 of my original songs. Those songs became my first album titled ME. The experience of recording forever changed my life. It showed me I could do it. 25 years later I’ve recorded 8 albums, as well as EPs and singles. I’ve had the honor to sit in the producer’s chair and help other artists reach their goals, and have performed concerts throughout the Midwest. I’m forever grateful for my friend’s beautiful act of kindness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a folkie singer/songwriter guitar player from Bemidji, MN. I’ve been drawn to music since I was a kid. I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for a Twins game at the Metrodome when I was 7 that lit my fire. Piano lessons followed. I’ll never forget the day I discovered guitar tablatures on my piano music. I ran to my parents closet, dusted off an old nylon string guitar and started teaching myself to play. Performing in bands through my school years I started taking songwriting seriously when I was 16 after attending the Winnipeg Folk Festival. I’ve been inspired by so many artists and how they approached an acoustic guitar. In 1998, I recorded my first album and moved to Minneapolis to attend college. I started performing in coffeehouses throughout the Twin Cities and in 2000 booked my first tour that took me around the Midwest. Writing and performing songs has always been a very important part of my life. There is something magical about being able to pick up an instrument and make it vibrate. My songwriting has always been a comfortable place for me to express emotion, whether it be happy or sad. I always strive to write something that’s real, either from my own experiences or something I’ve viewed from afar. I think it’s important to keep songwriting honest and soulful. That way, when your songs are performed, the sincerity connects at a deeper level.

My most recent single ‘Forever Home’ was recorded and released in the spring of 2022. It tells the story of a couple beginning with young love, growing old together and all the stepping stones between. I cried when I finished writing the last line, I knew I had to record it!

I’m currently gearing up to release a brand new single called ‘Go & Stay’. It’s a happy little number I wrote on a houseboat in Voyageurs National Park while celebrating my 10-year wedding anniversary with my wife.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I find so much joy seeing people succeed in their creative journey. My mission as an artist has always been to inspire. To be a spark in the flame. There’s nothing better than having someone tell you after a show that they are chasing their dreams because of one your songs… that’s just beautiful!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is creating something that didn’t exist when I woke up. That gets me every time I write and create. I feel like I’m floating after writing a new song. It inspires me to keep chasing the songs. Another beautiful reward of being an artist is the connection between a song and the listener. That magical moment when that certain someone in the audience connects with your song!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LanceBenson.com

Image Credits
Kellie Lindquist Jon Heller Troy Foss Lauree Bahr