Go back to main Interviews page
Interview With Ben Nelson
Sept. 13th 9:13am
Who are the members of the band?
Brady Gomillion (bass), Doug Hartin (sax, backup vocals), Kevin Chandler (drums, percussion, vocals), Ben Nelson (vocals, guitar, piano, songwriter)
When and how did you get together?
(Ben) well I have been playing many years solo and decided to put out another album but with a hired band, so I called around and looked around and Brady and Doug are who I decided with. We clicked so well in the studio I decided to take them on the road then a few months later we brought Kevin on.
How would you describe your music style?
(Ben) this is the question we hate the most. We are Dave Mathews meets the Beatles meets a unique sound. We get labeled Folk Rock
How would you describe your songwriting/recording process?
(Brady) I don't have one. I just do what Ben tells me!...
(Ben) and you best remember that! Just kidding. I just write what ever I feel at the time and either keep it the next day or throw it out. Then the band makes it breathe, or gives it life.
Which songs do you like performing most and why?
(Ben) our own... even though we do like to cover a few songs by bands and artist that have inspired us.
What artist would you say have had the most influence on you?
(Brady) Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dirk Lance of incubus
(Doug) Leroy Moore of Dave Matthews and Phil Woods
(Kevin) Will Denton of DC talk and Alex Van Halen of..duh!
(Ben) Jack Johnson, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Damien Rice..the list could go for years!
If you could jam with any band, who would it be?
(Ben) we are huge fans of a band called Gabe Dixon band, www.gabedixonband.com, we would love to share the stage with them one day.
(Kevin) agreed.
Where are you guys playing?
All over the Southeast, here are a few venues.
The pour, t-town
the fish, t-town
coffee on valley, b'ham
the mug, mobile
cross roads, mobile
8th and rail, auburn
cambridge coffee, auburn
smothie joes, trussville
reWire cafe, dothan
featured players theatre, dothan
pj's, t-town
...this could go a while.
(Ben) I think I plugged enough venues for now.
Have you had and bad/funny experience on stage?
(Brady) well there was that birthday suit situation...
(Doug) lets not mention that.
(Ben) HaHa...no but seriously...I mean there are some but way to long to describe here.
Do you have any CD's out for the fans?
(Ben) you can grab the EP at any live show and off the counter at a few of our venues... but the band's debut album "Changed" should be out early to mid October. There will be a huge CD premier party. You should be able to grab this CD at many locations. Check websites for more details.
Do you have anything else to add?
(Brady) 2+2...
(Ben) please check us out and become our friends online at...
Also, thank our sponsor Jones Soda www.myjones.com
(Ben) Thanks to you all and I hope you enjoy the fresh new sound of the Ben Nelson Band. And remember, support local musicians and venues! Peace and a big thanks to all our fans! Peace.
