About Richard Bennett , studio veteran of 50+ years, record producer, longtime Neil Diamond and Mark Knopfler guitarist :
To give a quick resume about the career from Richard Bennett is very difficult. Bennett (born 1951) has played with or produced many records for other artists. For example he produced / worked / played with Al Casey, his mentor (when he died Richard wrote : I'll be flying solo now, but my wings are strong because I learned from the very best, Al Casey. See ya pal, I love you.), Phil Lee , Emmylou Harris , Steve Earl , Waylon Jennings , Neil Diamond , Barbara Streisand , Eddy Duane , Billy Joel , Vince Gill ,Miranda Lambert and many others. We also know Richard as the guitarist in Mark Knopfler’s band . Richard released his sixth solo album called “Ballads In Otherness” in August 2018.
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Update 15/03/2024 : Competition for Mark Knopfler fans outside of the UK, attent the Dolby Atmos playback of One Deep River, the new Mark Knopfler album.
Update : the competition is closed , we will send an email to the winner.
Exclusively for fans outside of the UK, Richard Bennett fansite has two tickets to give away in a free competition.
So, are you free to be in London at 2pm on the 2nd of April and would you like to attend the Dolby Atmos playback of One Deep River, the new Mark Knopfler album?
Guy Fletcher will share insights into the recording process.
If you would like to enter the competition simply email your name/address to richardbennettfansite@proximus.be.
Please note: The competition is for two seats at the event. It does not include the cost of travel/accommodation.
Competition closes at midnight GMT on 22nd of March.
Update 17/02/2024 : Richard Bennett for Johnny Reid :
Here's Richard Bennett listening to a playback of something he played on last week for Scottish soul singer Johnny Reid.
Blue Room Studio, Nashville.
Engineer: Charles Yingling.
Photo courtesy of Brent Maher, producer of the project and owner of the studio.
Update 17/02/2024 : Sergio Diab “Stratoman” his brand new album called Janicetown :
Hi everyone, Richard Bennett here.
I’d like to introduce you to my friend Sergio Diab “Stratoman” and his brand new album called Janicetown.
From Brazil, Sergio writes and plays big, atmospheric, thematic guitar instrumentals and this new album is clearly focussed on the wide open West.
Each of the 11 songs are themes for movies not yet made. Having played on a couple of Sergio’s previous records, I was anticipating this new one.
Janicetown fulfilled every expectation.
Richard
Update 08/02/2024 : A landmark in rock music history, this new, very special recording of Mark Knopfler’s anthemic ‘Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)’ has been recorded to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America:
A landmark in rock music history, this new, very special recording of Mark Knopfler’s anthemic ‘Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)’ has been recorded to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America.
Produced by Guy Fletcher, the track features an unprecedented line-up of some of the greatest guitarists and musicians in history.
The artwork has been designed by Sir Peter Blake (The Beatles, The Who, Band Aid).
Released March 15th, the single will be released on CD, 12” with etched b-side, deluxe CD+BluRay, download and streaming (including a Dolby Atmos mix).
Full list of contributors:
Joan Armatrading, Jeff Beck, Richard Bennett, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Brown, James Burton, Jonathan Cain, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Jim Cox, Steve Cropper, Sheryl Crow, Danny Cummings, Roger Daltrey, Duane Eddy, Sam Fender, Guy Fletcher, Peter Frampton, Audley Freed, Vince Gill, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Keiji Haino, Tony Iommi, Joan Jett, John Jorgenson, Mark Knopfler, Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Greg Leisz, Alex Lifeson, Steve Lukather, Phil Manzanera, Dave Mason, Hank Marvin, Brian May, Robbie McIntosh, John McLaughlin, Tom Morello, Rick Nielsen, Orianthi, Brad Paisley, Nile Rodgers, Mike Rutherford, Joe Satriani, John Sebastian, Connor Selby, Slash, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey, Sting, Andy Taylor, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ian Thomas, Pete Townshend, Keith Urban, Steve Vai, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Louis Walker, Joe Walsh, Ronnie Wood, Glenn Worf, Zucchero.
Cancer is different when you are younger: it can be harder to get a diagnosis, cancer treatments can be less effective for young people, and accessing clinical trials can be harder.
This project is raising funds for two charities that are dedicated to supporting this specific age group.
Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down and to help make sure cancer doesn’t rob young people of the best years of their life.
Teen Cancer America partners with hospitals throughout the United States to develop specialized facilities and services for teens and young adults with cancer.
Release date: March 15th
Formats:
CD single
12” single (B-side etched) – US/CA only
12” single (B-side etched) – World ex US/CA
Deluxe CD+BluRay Single (Mediabook, featuring Dolby Atmos version) – D2C only
Digital Single
Dolby Atmos Digital Single
Single Buy / Preorder / Presave : here
Project Homepage : here
Update 15/07/2023 : Nashville Cats : David Hood :
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHOF) featured renowned bassist David Hood in a program for its in-depth interview series, Nashville Cats. The ongoing series highlights musicians and session singers who have played important roles in support of artists in either the recording studio or on concert tours.
As a member of the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (also known as “The Swampers“), Hood has created an unforgettable body of recorded work during his more than 60-year career. His first sessions included the 1960s R&B hits “I’m Your Puppet” by James & Bobby Purify and “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” by Aretha Franklin.
Hood became one of the most respected and in-demand studio bassists in R&B, pop and country music. While he was based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama—where he co-founded Muscle Shoals Sound Studio—Hood also logged considerable session work in Memphis and Nashville. He supplied the famous bass line and catchy solo spot on the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and lent his groove to classic albums by CMHOF member Willie Nelson (Phases and Stages), Paul Simon (There Goes Rhymin’ Simon) and Traffic (Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory).
The Nashville Cats program—which included a brief performance, as well as vintage photos, audio and film clips—was filmed and will premiere at a later date as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series, available to stream on the museum’s website. After the program, Hood signed commemorative Hatch Show Print posters.
Pictured (L-R): Dan Penn, Patterson Hood, Jim Horn, David Hood, Richard Bennett and Vice President of Museum Services Michael Gray at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Update 16/04/2023 : Richard on "Land Of 1000 Dances" from the album "I Believe I'll Run On- A Tribute To Wilson Pickett" :
A track Billy Lawson and Scott Ward produced at Wishbone Studios with Jimmy Hall from the upcoming Wilson Pickett Tribute Album.
David Hood on bass, Spooner Dewey Lindon Oldham and Mark Narmore on keys. Richard Bennett on guitar. Justin Holder on drums.
Update 11/04/2023 : Richard Bennett albums available on his website and Bandcamp :
Richard decided to make all of his albums available through his site.
When you purchase through his Store the sale will be completed via Bandcamp . Streaming continues on all the usual platforms.
Click on the cover to order :
Update 21/02/2023 : Richard Bennett worked again with Iris DeMent , this time for her forthcoming album Workin' On A World :
Richard Bennett worked again with Iris DeMent , for her forthcoming album Workin' On A World, out later this week .
Find an interview with Paste Magazine here .
Update 6/01/2023 : Richard Bennett interviewed for The Guitar Show with Andy Ellis , Legends Series :
In this episode, Richard recalls how he began his recording career as a teenager, describes the music that inspires him, shares stories about recording with Knopfler and his ace band in London, and more :
Update 3/12/2022 : Richard Bennett Tall Tale Tunes - Promo :
==>Richard Bennett was the guest at the Everyone Loves Guitar podcast to talk about his new album Tall Tale Tunes.
Richard talked about his career and the Tall Tale Tunes tracks.
You can listen here :
==>Richard Bennett was the guest at the Craft Brewed Music podcast to talk about his new album Tall Tale Tunes.
Several songs from Tall Tale Tunes where played and Richard talked about his career and the Tall Tale Tunes tracks.
Here's the link . Or you can listen here :
==>Richard Bennett was the guest at WXNA in Paul Burch's radioshow to spin platters and talk about his beautiful new album Tall Tale Tunes.
Thanks Paul and Richard for the permission to post this.
Several songs from Tall Tale Tunes where played and Richard choosed a few other songs , talked about his career and the Tall Tale Tunes tracks.
Here's the link . Or you can listen here :
Update 01/09/2022 : Richard Bennett Tall Tale Tunes - Release :
Richard Bennett’s 7th solo album named "Tall Tale Tunes" is now released.
The fansite had the privilege to listen to the album in an exclusive album preview. We heard some great music and after that we talked to Richard and asked him some questions, the interview below is what came out.
After listening we come to the conclusion that there only can be two kinds of people in the world. The ones who are in love with Richard's music and the ones who haven't discovered his music yet.
Forewords for this interview are from Rodney Crowell, Spooner Oldham and Eric Brace .
We only can hope you enjoy the new music and the interview as much as we do, you can find the interview here .
You can find all the details about Tall Tale Tunes at Richard Bennett’s website .
Tall Tale Tunes is available for streaming and downloading at all the usual destinations : YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, Apple, iHeartRadio
Update 01/08/2022 : Richard Bennett Tall Tale Tunes - August Autographed Pre-Release :
From Richard Bennett's website , original link here :
Thanks for coming back….
As promised, my new record, Tall Tale Tunes will hit the streaming and
download services September 2nd.
CD copies will be available at Amazon
shortly after. This has been a long time coming, delayed due to the
pandemic but also because of some very positive business changes at Moderne
Shellac.
Everybody wanted to get their ducks in a row prior to releasing
the album and, as anxious as I’ve been to put this music out, I’m glad we
waited.
To show my appreciation to all of you who’ve supported me through the years
and follow this site, I’m offering pre-release copies of Tall Tale Tunes
and I’m very happy to sign them as well.
Simply click on the ‘Purchase’
link below and it will walk you through the process. I’m very proud of this
record and hope you’ll enjoy it as well.
I realise that streaming far
outstrips actual CDs these days but the sound on disc surpasses that of
streaming in my opinion, also you’ll get a gander at all those very kind
words Marty Stuart wrote that made me blush.
I’m so pleased to write this post at last and send these Tall Tale Tunes
out into the world to do their work.
Stay well.
Cheers,
Richard
Each CD ordered here will be personally autographed by Richard.
You can order Tall Tale Tunes here .
Update 09/07/2022 : Richard Bennett will release his new album "Tall Tale Tunes" at September 2nd :
A few words from Richard about the "Tall Tale Tunes" release :
As for my own new album, I know it’s been a long time coming but finally we’re looking at September 2nd as the official roll out at all the streaming and downloading services.
The album is called Tall Tale Tunes and I’m calling it a folk collection although not everyone will hear it that way. My old pal Marty Stuart wrote the liner notes and really outdid himself, made me blush when I read them.
Anyway, I will have much more to say about the record and a surprise announcement about how you can get an autographed pre-release copy. So watch this space around the early part of August. Meantime this is how I describe the record and recording process:
With the release of my first album, Themes From A Rainy Decade, I began to take the writing and recording of instrumental music as a serious endeavour and new chapter in what was already a long and lucky career.
Over the course of composing and releasing six albums, occasionally a melody would come along that felt like a folk tune in it’s simplicity. Somehow they never quite fit into whatever album I was working on at the moment, so I began a separate folder with “Folk” scrawled across it in pencil. Whenever one of these tunes came to me I’d write it out and file it there.
Near the completion of my last record, Ballads In Otherness, a pair of these folksy tunes tumbled out of my guitar within a few days of each other. I dutifully transcribed them to manuscript and deposited them in the folk folder.
I was surprised by how many songs had accumulated and began playing through them, pleased that many still held water for me as compositions. I’d already been thinking ahead to the record that would follow Ballads In Otherness, wanting something different but having no idea what that might be.
Playing my way through the folk folder I realised the next record was sitting right there in front of me.
I began recording in November of 2018 laying down three or four tunes very quickly before putting the project away to commence a tour with Mark Knopfler. I came back to it again in late 2019 having written some more while on the road and put my shoulder to the wheel intending to get the record out by Spring of 2020.
As 2020 unfolded, the awful news that a strange new virus, C-19 was sweeping the world and by March we’d all retreated from work and into our homes. The folk project sat patiently waiting another 15 months before I would come back to the studio and complete it. It’s been a long time and I’ve lived with many of these recordings for nearly three years never tiring of them.
At their heart these Tall Tale Tunes are simple melodies that I’ve chosen to treat in some unusual ways. Not everyone will hear it as folk music but that genre is a broad banner and to my way of thinking Tall Tale Tunes falls squarely under it’s heading.
What is folk music? Stop the first 40 people you meet and ask that question. You’ll likely get as many answers and they’ll all be correct. Anglo, Scot, Irish? African, European, South American, North American, Australian? The ballads and songs collected by Child, Sharpe, A.P. Carter and the Lomax’s? Ethnic musics, the blues, jazz? Leadbelly, Guthrie, Seeger, The Kingston Trio? Ramblin’ Jack? Ramblin’ Bob? Peter, Paul, Mary? Joan Baez, Joni M, Johnny Cash? Trad-folk, psych-folk, folk-rock, folk revival, skiffle? The simple answer to this and more is yes. Like all music that has proven hearty and durable, folk music covers a lot of ground and criss-crosses continents.
To it I would add purpose-written songs by pop and country tunesmiths to evoke a folk flavour; Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Scarlet Ribbons, Sixteen Tons, The Battle Of New Orleans, It Was A Very Good Year, High Noon, The Three Bells, The Long Black Veil and so many more. According to Big Bill Broonzy, “All the songs I ever heard in my life was folk songs. I never heard horses sing none of ‘em yet.”
The music has breadth, scope and a common thread; songs that tell a tale, a story in words and simple tunes. That is what I’ve tried to do with this collection of Tall Tale Tunes, convey a narrative but solely through music without the specifics of words. The title of each conjures a story that the music suggested to me as I wrote them, however, I encourage you to let these tunes create your own movie. After all, folk music always had a way of changing to best suit whoever held it at the moment.
They’re in your hands now.”
See you back here in a few weeks,
Richard
Jul 8, 2022
Update 21/05/2022 : Richard Bennett at Billy Lawson's Wishbone studio :
David Hood, Richard Bennett , Billy Lawson, Justin Holder, Spooner Oldham and Nick Bennett.
Update 21/05/2022 : Richard Bennett with Iris DeMent and Marty Stuart in the studio :
Update 11/03/2022 : Richard Bennett was in Februari 2022 in London to record a new Mark Knopfler solo album :
Richard Bennett was in Februari 2022 in London to record a new Mark Knopfler solo album.
Guy Fletcher keeps a dairy from the recording sessions , you can find it here.
Update 15/09/2021 : Voices In The Hall with MK :
Mark Knopfler broke through in the late 1970s as the leader of rock band Dire Straits, with hits including “Sultans of Swing” and “Money for Nothing,” but his solo career has proven every bit as creatively fruitful.
Heavily influenced by country music as a child in Scotland and England, Knopfler has collaborated extensively with Nashville musicians including Chet Atkins, Richard Bennett, and Emmylou Harris, and his songs are championed in Nashville by music publisher David Conrad, songwriter Paul Kennerley, and many others.
Knopfler came to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s audio lair for an episode of Voices in the Hall, talking about his life in music and his country connections.
Knopfler talks with much respect about Richard Bennett and the other musicians in the band.
You can listen here , or here :
Update 29/08/2021 : Follow the Richard Bennett fansite on Instagram :
Follow the Richard Bennett fansite on Instagram , click on the logo :
Update 16/07/2021 : Paul Brett's book "Finding Fretless" , The story of George Harrison’s mad guitar , release on 12 August 2021 , foreword by Richard Bennett:
The remarkable story of George Harrison’s prototype ‘mad’ guitar and the search for Jimi Hendrix’s and Frank Zappa’s.
Finding Fretless tells the remarkable tale of the discovery and rich history of an invaluable late-1960s fretless electric guitar, one fondly remembered by George Harrison as the ‘Mad’ guitar.
The prototype fretless model was gifted to the Beatles legend by Hollywood session player and music shop owner Al Casey, whose wife Maxine took it to Blue Jay Way in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles while Harrison was staying there in 1967.
Returning to the UK with his new acquisition, it was used by Harrison and John Lennon on sessions for ‘Happiness is a Warm Gun’ and ‘Helter Skelter’ as the legendary Liverpool outfit recorded classic 1968 double-album The Beatles, aka The White Album.
Guitar experts and aficionados were previously unaware of the prototype’s important part in Beatles mythology, its history a mystery until 2019, after UK session guitarist Ray Russell asked, ‘Who knows anything about this guitar George Harrison gave me in 1985?’.
Finding Fretless sees author Paul Brett amend the history books, piecing together the jigsaw to tell the full story of the prototype Bartell alongside that of one of the forgotten founding fathers of the electric guitar, master luthier Paul Barth.
Within, Brett’s extensive research is supported by leading academics and established authors and personal memories of top session players who worked with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and The Beach Boys, Finding Fretless including forewords from two highly-regarded guitarists intrinsically linked to the tale – London session player, producer and composer Ray Russell, and American producer, sideman and session player Richard Bennett.
In a compelling story, Brett also shines light on the incredible history of Bartell and a seminal period in California that influenced musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
Finding Fretless also brings in the guitar’s associations with Charles Manson’s infamous murderous cult, a million-dollar lawsuit, fire, frying pans, drunken fistfights, corporate shenanigans, Elvis, The Wrecking Crew, and much more.
And those interviewed include descendants of Bartell company presidents and surviving employees, Brett also revealing previously-untold memories of some of the most influential creators in the development of the electric guitar, including Barth, Beauchamp, Rickenbacker, Fender, and the Dopyera brothers.
Foreword by Ray Russel and : Richard Bennett
Update 19/06/2021 : Here's a really great opportunity to win a SIGNED VINYL TEST PRESSING COPY from Richard Bennett's "Code Red Cloud Nine" ! :
Here's a really great opportunity to win a SIGNED VINYL TEST PRESSING COPY from Richard Bennett's "Code Red Cloud Nine" !
Competition closes at August 8 2021 . Code Red Cloud Nine on vinyl is only available at https://www.yieldbrotherrecords.com/shop .
Order your copy and you will have a chance to win !
Update 09/06/2021 : Interviews with Richard from 2009 and 2010 , The Guitar Show with Andy Ellis :
Two great interviews with Richard for the The Guitar Show with Andy Ellis ,
part one is from 2009 , part 2 is from 2010 :
Update 10/02/2021 : Interview with Richard "Dave & Ethan's 2000" Weird Al Podcast" :
Dave and Ethan’s interview with legendary guitarist and record producer Richard Bennett, who performed with Neil Diamond for seventeen years, has toured with Mark Knopfler since 1994, and recorded with Weird Al on his early recordings! (Oh yeah, he’s also the brother of Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz!)
In his career spanning over 50 years, Richard has worked with everyone from Billy Joel to Barbra Streisand, Ringo Starr to Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and much more! Fans of Weird Al will recognize him as Bopcat Bennett on the Placebo EP version of “Happy Birthday,” early demos, as well as first-album classics such as “I’ll Be Mellow When I’m Dead.”
Part 1 :
Part 2 :
Update 05/01/2021 : Code Red Cloud Nine on vinyl ! :
Hello fansite friends,
I have some very exciting news, my album Code Red Cloud Nine has just been re-released on vinyl by the folks at Yield Brother Records.
Yield Brother, a vinyl-only record label, have turned their full attention to every detail and gone all-out with this remastered 180 gram disc and beautiful packaging.
Additionally, I’ve written an essay about the inspiration and making of Code Red that’s included with the album along with the original liner notes by Duane Eddy.
This collection of tunes has always been near and dear to me, I’m proud of the compositions and always felt it was music made to be heard on vinyl with all it’s clarity, depth and dimension.
Listening to the test pressing a couple months ago was a real thrill, it sounded so good. Code Red Cloud Nine is also being offered as a premium package with an 8 X 10 colour photo signed personally to you and a few other goodies. This limited pressing of 500 is available now exclusively through Yield Brother Records.
So sharpen your needles and visit the Yield Brother Records website here to find out more and order one while they last.
Vintage Guitar Magazine did a Q&A with me about this vinyl edition of Code Red that appeared in the September 2020 issue. The article covers further details regarding the making of the record as well as a few other things. If interested you can order a copy directly from them here.
As you can tell I’m very pleased and excited to partner up with Yield Brother Records and to have this music heard the way I’d always imagined it should sound, through a needle stuck into a proper hunk of vinyl.
Stay well and as the vaccines roll out, here’s to a brighter 2021.
Cheers,
Richard
Code Red Cloud Nine , release 2008, vinyl release 2021:
Tracklist :
1.Squisito
2. Something For Tina
3. It's A Lucky Old World
4. Snoozin' At Sue's
5. En Trois
6. When Connie Used To Care
7. April By Twilight
8. Casey's Place
9. Spring Stepped In
10. Samba Soleil
11. Penthouse Prelude
12. Right On The Price , Right On The Corner
You can order the cd at Amazon : "order here"
You can order the vinyl at Yield Brothers Records : "order here"
You can order the vinyl Premium Package at Yield Brothers Records : "order here"
You can also listen to the excerpts here :
Find some more info here : here .
Update 27/12/2020 : Richard in the movie , The Jazz Singer :
Richard Bennett playing the banjo , age 29 , in the movie The Jazz Singer with Neil Diamond :
Update 13/11/2020 : Richard Bennett interviewed by Craig Garber for his podcast : Everyone Loves Guitar :
Update 29/03/2020 : Richard Bennett's Corona playlist :
Here's a playlist with music that Richard is listening to in this Corona time, more songs to come over the next few weeks , enjoy :
Here's a direct link : Richard Bennett's Spotify Corona playlist
Update 16/04/2020 : the original bombs , 1981:
The original Cherry Bombs at Rockefellers in Houston - 1981 🍒 💣
Top L-R: Rodney, Larrie Londin, Richard Bennett, Emory Gordy, Hank DeVito, Tony Brown
Bottom L-R: Tony Brown, Hank Devito, Rodney, Larry Willoughby, Larrie Londin
Update 19/02/2020 : Receive a newsletter from Richard Bennett fansite :
If you want to be updated if there's a new release , tour or other important things you can subscribe to our newsletter here :
Update 30/01/2020 : Richard about working with Mark Knopfler :
Update 03/01/2020 : Richard about the role he played in Neil Diamond's Play Me :
Update 11/12/2019 : Richard about and with Mark Knopfler :
Update 6/10/2019 : Here's the story (from Richard himself) about his and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz' connection with "Weird Al" Yancovic :
Richard and Jon recorded some novelty songs in their parents' living room in Beverly Hills in 1971.
Jon would send them to a DJ in LA known as Dr Demento who would play them on his live radio show.
Woodsy Owl and Mr Ghost Goes to town were a couple. Richard had started playing as a session musician in LA in 1969 during which period he met Tom Hensley, maestro of the keys and also a session player.
Richard also joined Neil Diamond's recording and touring band as lead guitarist in 1971, Tom joined in 1975. Diamondville Tom.
Tom and Dr Demento (Barry Hansen) had known each other for a while. They met through The Roto Rooter Band in which Tom played sometimes and produced their records. Dr Demento/Barry was a fan and played their records.
Tom introduced Richard to Dr Demento/Barry and the three went out to dinner a few times, I remember going with them one night.
Barry was a music historian and knew everything about everything. The three of them would gather in Richard's music room after dinner, a converted garage (shown in the above photo) at our house on Lake Hollywood Drive, where Richard stored his collection of 78s and the three would listen to really weird records together.
In 1978 or 79 Richard asked Barry if it would be alright to come to the radio show one night and bring his younger brother Jon.
Performers would just turn up to play on the show solo and on this particular night is was Weird Al who was debuting a new song.
Various people hanging in the studio would play an assortment of noisemakers. Jon told them he was a drummer and so they gave him Weird Al's accordion case to pound on. Thus began the amazing collaboration of Jon and Weird Al that continues to this day.
Update 25/09/2019 : Here's a compilation from Richard Bennett pictures during Mark Knopfler's Down The Road Wherever world tour 2019:
Update 11/09/2019 : Richard on Marty Stuart's Unreleased ‘Been Lonely Too Long’ Off Upcoming ‘The Pilgrim’ Reissue::
Been Lonely Too Long- with Richard Bennett, Harry Stinson, Glenn Worf, Barry Beckett, Terri Wilson, Mick Conley, and Marty Stuart (Unreleased Pilgrim project demo).
In celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary, on October 18th Stuart will release the LP for the first time on vinyl in a deluxe edition, which will also include a bonus CD featuring 10 previously unreleased tracks featuring Earl Scruggs, Uncle Josh Graves, Ralph Stanley, and Emmylou Harris.
Among the unreleased tracks is a demo recording of “Been Lonely Too Long,” a simmering blues-rock tune featuring a host of veteran musicians backing Stuart, including Richard Bennett, Harry Stinson, Glenn Worf, Barry Beckett, Terri Wilson, and Mick Conley. “I’m like a bottle that’s broken, a wheel that won’t turn/ I still got the fire but it don’t burn, baby, without you,” the singer laments. The song’s determined tone echoes the opportunity for reevaluation that comes with the release of this now-enhanced reissue of an acclaimed, yet underappreciated recording project.
Update 08/02/2019 : Richard Bennett's new release, Four Buck Folk :
There’s not much you can purchase for four bucks these days. Four bucks is the new two bits… that’s 25¢ for those too young for a shave and a haircut.
Four bucks.
What about it?
On completing the Ballads In Otherness record I threw myself straight back to writing and into the studio again to begin a new album; a very different record from the others. I quickly recorded and mixed four tunes with an eye to what may follow. Then again, these may end up on the cutting room floor when it’s all said and done but the thing is, I’m really pleased with how they turned out, how they sound and how these four tunes hang together as a piece. For the sessions I gathered the usual bunch of mates and musicians as well as some new friends and a few old compadres. Altogether they make up The New Folkswingers and we’re so excited about this folk flavoured project that Moderne Shellac decided to release an E.P.
These four tunes will be available exclusively through CD Baby as a download only….no hard copies, CDs or vinyl, no streaming and not accessible through other formats or services.
Here it is, Four Freshly minted Fab Folk Faves For Four bucks….Richard Bennett and The New Folkswingers….. “Four Buck Folk.” Available now ….
Update 31/01/2019 : Neil Diamond's "Sunflower" 1977 :
Neil Diamond's "Sunflower" 1977 : Richard Bennett plays both the pedal steel on the right side of the mix and the slide Dobro on the left side.
Richard and Neil's band played also on Glen Campbell's version :
Here's another previous unheard Neil Diamond song with Richard Bennett on pedal steel "Moonlight Rider":
Update 15/11/2018 : Craft Brewed Music launched !
Craft Brewed Music is a curated streaming service for adventurous listeners wanting to discover music outside the mainstream….above, below and to either side of the radar.
Richard is extremely pleased that his music has been chosen and that he's included as one of their artists.
You can hear a free 10-song sampler (CBM Flight) or have total access via subscription (CBM Growler) at $5/per month or $50/per year.
That’s a lot of great and interesting music for very little money. If you like what you hear, please subscribe.
When you do a dropdown box will appear asking how you heard about CBM… please use Richard's name.
You can find out more at Craft Brewed Music.
Update 01/08/2018 : New album from Richard "Ballads In Otherness" :
Richard's new album "Ballads In Otherness" is released , you can listen to samples here and there's also a beautiful comment from Neil Diamond .
You can find here some comments from Richard about the album.
The fansite did an interview with Richard about his new album , you can find it here.
Ballads In Otherness review in : Premier Guitar
and on Richard's website .
Update 26/09/2018 : Richard plays on the new Mark Knopfler album , Down The Road Wherever :
Richard plays on the new Mark Knopfler album , Down The Road Wherever , you can order it here.
There's also a glimpse from Richard Bennett in the single's video "Good On You Son" :
Update 17/06/2018 :
Taken at today's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame of Mickey Raphael as a 'Nashville Cat'.
RB with fellow Cats, Duane Eddy and Jimmy Capps. Photo credit, Deed Eddy
Update 12/02/2018 : Richard for the upcoming Phil Lee album :
Recording session for the new Phil Lee album with George Bradfute and Bill Lloyd at Tone Chaparral , Madison :
Update 11/01/2018 : Charlie Worsham about Marty Stuart's "Tempted" and Richard's great solo in that song :
Charlie Worsham about Marty Stuart's "Tempted" and Richard's great solo in that song in Rare Country :
Update 21/10/2017 : Bennett's memory box :
Bennett's memory box for Neil Diamond's world tour 2017 .
Music from :
Richard Bennett , Code Red Cloud Nine
and
Pangs (Nashville band) , Rubicon
Update 21/05/2017 : Interview with Richard and Nick Bennett about the Neil Diamond's 50th Anniversary Tour :
Update 11/04/2017 : Richard Bennett with the Neil Diamond band 2017 :
On this page you can find all the info collected during the tour.
Update 10/08/2017 : Here are some pictures from Richard and Nick Bennett on tour for Neil Diamond's 50th anniversary tour, U.S. leg 2017, music: snippets from Richard Bennett's Valley Of The Sun , turn on the volume to listen ! :
19/8/2017 : Working on a new album , whilst taking a break from the Neil Diamond tour :
Een bericht gedeeld door Nick Bennett (@flipfonelife) op
Update 06/08/2017 : Richard Bennett interview with 372WN :
Update 01/01/2017 : Steve Earle pays tribute to Richard Bennett :
Update 01/01/2017 : Neil Diamond , Under A Tennessee Moon , with RB footage :
Update 17/11/2016 : Richard Bennett at Welcome To 1979 recording studio :
Richard Bennett at Welcome To 1979 recording studio as part of the "Recording Summit 2016 panel" , pictures by Jonathan Pines ,
find more info about the Recording Summite here and find more info about the studio here .
Update 05/09/2016 : For German readers, an interview with RB in the September 2016 magazine from Professional Audio :
Update 30/07/2016 : Nashville Cats : salute to Richard Bennett :
The program starts at Sat, Jul 30 2016 8:30 PM CEST and will be streamed live, you can follow here :
Pictured (L-R): Back row: Buddy Miller, Bergen White, Duane Eddy, Billy Sanford, Steve Gibson, David Briggs, Michael Rhodes. Front row: moderator Bill Lloyd, musician Nick Bennett, honoree Richard Bennett, musician Sean Weaver, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia.
Credits poster : Hatch Show Print
Update 09/06/2016 : Nashville Cats : salute to Richard Bennett :
Nashville Cats: Salute to Guitarist Richard Bennett Saturday, July 30, 2016 - 01:30pm
"From his early days as a young session guitarist in Los Angeles under the tutelage of Wrecking Crew mainstay Al Casey to his current role as the "other" guitarist in Mark Knopfler's band, Richard Bennett has built a career that has swung wide through pop, rock, and country music history.
He spent most of the 1970s and ’80s playing guitar for Neil Diamond before moving to Nashville and becoming a first-call session guitarist for Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris.
His guitar work can also be heard on albums by the Bellamy Brothers, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, George Jones, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, and Travis Tritt, He’s produced hit records for Steve Earle and Marty Stuart and recorded several albums of instrumental music, the latest of which is Contrary Cocktail. The interview will be illustrated with vintage photos, film footage, and recordings, and Bennett will perform briefly.
This program takes place in the Museum's Ford Theater and will also be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming. The live stream is powered by NewTek TriCaster.
After the program, Bennett will sign Hatch Show Print posters commemorating the day.
Read more: Nashville Cats: Salute to Guitarist Richard Bennett
Update 08/05/2016 :Richard recorded for a new artist named Meghan Patrick, Grace & Grit :
Richard recorded for a new artist named Meghan Patrick, produced by Vince Gill, also Derek Wells , Justin Niebank and others ,
the album is called Grace & Grit and is just released , find more info here :
Update 23/04/2016 :Richard recorded with Dan Dugmore for Sergio Dab :
Last week Richard did a session for his friend and wonderful guitar player Sergio Diab.
He came all the way from Rio De Jeneriero to record in Nashville at The Castle in Franklin, Tennessee.
From left to right: Sergio, Dan Dugmore (who played steel guitar) and Richard :
Update 02/04/2016 :Richard recorded for a duet album from Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin called Colvin & Earle :
Together with Buddy Miller , Chris Wood , Fred Eltringham and Colin Dupuis Richard recorded for a duet album from Steve Earle with Shawn Colvin , release date Spring 2016
Here's a fine review that really captures what the record is about in Vents Magazine.
You can listen to "You're Right (I'm Wrong)" at rollingstone.com
Update 03/03/2016 : Here's a little clip from a jam for the movie "I Saw The Light" :
A little jam for the "I Saw The Light Movie" :Chris Scruggs (steel), Ray Kennedy, Richard Bennett (guitar), Rodney...
Geplaatst door Richard Bennett fansite op donderdag 3 maart 2016
Update 29/02/2016 : Steve Earle's Guitar Town is 30 years :
Steve Earle's "Guitar Town" will be 30 years on March 5, 2016.
It topped the Billboard country album charts, and the title song reached #7 on the country singles charts.
Earle was also nominated for two 1987 Grammy Awards, Best Male Country Vocalist and Best Country Song, for the title track.
The album was recorded in late 1985 and early 1986 in Nashville, Tennessee, at Sound Stage Studio. Overdubs were later recorded at Nashville's Emerald Studios.
It was one of the first country music albums to be recorded digitally, utilizing the state-of-the-art Mitsubishi X-800. Each of the album's ten tracks was either written or co-written by Earle.
Click below to find Richard's role besides being co-producer and playing lead guitar : American Songwriter. CMT.COM.
Update 22/02/2016 : Another flashback , this time with Cerys Matthews in 2003 :
Update 22/02/2016 : Contrary Cocktail review in Vintage Guitar :
Rick Allen's Contrary Cocktail review in Vintage Guitar .
Update 20/02/2016 : Interview with Richard Bennett in Grand Guitars 02/2016 :
There's an interview with Richard Bennett for German readers in Grand Guitars magazine edition 2/2016 :
You can find a link to our Facebook page: here
Update 01/01/2016 :Interview with Richard in Guitar Player - Holiday 2015 - Annual :
There's an interview with Richard in Guitar Player - Holiday 2015 - Annual , lots of facts about his latest album "Contrary Cocktail" and other stuff :
Update 08/12/2015 :Richard recorded for David Peterson's "Old Time Power" :
From the David Peterson Bluegrass Gospel Sessions "Old Time Power" .
Left to right - Mark Thornton, Charlie Cushman, David Grisman, Stuart Duncan, David Peterson, Larry Marrs, Richard Bennett and Dennis Crouch.
Update 01/11/2015 : Richard with Mark Knopfler , band and crew , Tracker tour 2015:
Update 30/10/2015 : Richard plays on Heidi Talbot's Christmas single:
Whilst on tour with Mark Knopfler Richard did a little recording session for Heidi Talbot's Christmas single:
Written by Boo Hewerdine produced by John McCusker featuring Richard Bennett, Phil Cunningham, Glen Worf & James Mackintosh. Record studio : hotel room in Atlanta.
Richard's comment : Glenn W. and I did some lampshade recording in the afternoon with John McCusker producing a Christmas song for Heidi Talbot.
We both overdubbed on the basic track with Mike McGoldrick engineering. The reason I call it lampshade recording is that’s Mike’s method for position a microphone.
Every hotel room has a free standing lamp and Mike loops the mic cord around the lampshade frame, positions it in front of the instrument and it’s a done deal.
The song was beautiful and sounded even better when we’d finished.
You can listen to the song here :
Update 24/09/2015 : Richard Bennett with his new John Page guitar, the Ashburn design:
Just before sound check at Pittsburg Pennsylvania 13 October, 2015
both Mark Knopfler and Richard were introduced to a new guitar line designed by John Page who worked for Fender for many years and started their custom shop back in the 1980s. After John left Fender he began building beautiful custom instruments and has recently partnered with Howard Swimmer to design and manufacture John Page Classics… a custom-production guitar. Howard brought two guitars that Mark and Richard played and they took to them straight away. The look, quality, feel and sound are all immediately evident. Check these instruments out, and by the way, you won’t believe how downright affordable they are: John Page guitars
Update 24/09/2015 : A David Kerns interview with Mark Knopfler's band:
The Mark Knopfler "Tracker tour" is now in the U.S. Here's a beautiful Richard Bennett picture from David Kerns .
David did an interview with a few Mark Knopfler bandmembers, you can find the interview here .
Update 28/08/2015 : Spooner Oldham re-issue "Pot Luck" :
Here’s an ancient piece of trivia that’s just been re-issued. Something Richard played on in 1971… Spooner Oldham’s “Pot Luck”.
You can find here some fine info.
Update 15/08/2015 : Richard Bennett has now his own signature model pedalboard the RB - Deluxe Plus :
Richard has now his own signature model pedalboard the RB - Deluxe Plus
made by BENADO EFFECTS :
Update 06/04/2015 : Richard played for Dawes on their new album : All Your Favorite Bands : Dawes has announced the arrival of a new album, All Your Favorite Bands, on June 2 via the group’s Hub Records label.
The Los Angeles-based foursome recorded their fourth studio album and follow-up to 2013’s Stories Don't End in Nashville at Woodland Sound Studios with famed producer David Rawlings.
Guests artists appearing on the album include Rawlings on guitar and vocals, his frequent collaborator Gillian Welch and The McCrary Sisters on backing vocals, Richard Bennett on guitar and Paul Franklin on pedal steel.
Update 11/03/2015 : Richard Bennett with "The Wrecking Crew" :
From Richard's Facebook :
From the THE WRECKING CREW soundtrack box set to be released in coordination with the film.
Hal Blaine's Hollywood Drum Band doing, "The Beat Goes On".
They did 3 songs with an all-star band. RB on guitar and drums. From 1973
Update 23/05/2015 : Richard played the guitar for Iris DeMent : ‘The Trackless Woods’
This August DeMent will follow up 2012’s ‘Songs of the Delta’ with her loving tribute to 20th century Russian poet and activist Anna Akhmatova.
Iris was gathering musicians and friends, including co-producer Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, Steve Earle),
to record ‘The Trackless Woods’ in her living room over a five-day period.
You can find more info here and here .
There's also an interview in Oxford American ,it's a very well regarded literary and music magazine.
Update 06/03/2015 : Richard plays on Lee Ann Womack's : Trouble In Mind Limited 3-Song Vinyl
Update 15/09/2014 : Richard is working on the soundtrack for the movie I Saw The Light, a biopic about Hank Williams :
Together with Rodney Crowell and Tom Hiddleston is Richard working on
the soundtrack for the movie I Saw The Light , a biopic about Hank Williams.
Recording soundtrack to upcoming Hank Williams biopic - I Saw the Light - (back l-r) Michael Rinne/bass, Tom Hiddleston/Hank, Chris Scruggs /steel guitar (front l-r) Wes Langlois/guitar, Stuart Duncan/ fiddle, Richard Bennett/guitar
Update 15/09/2014 : Richard in the house band to take part in a big tribute show to honour The Everly Brothers :
Richard will be in the houseband to take part in a big tribute show to honour The Everly Brothers, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio, find here more info.
Update 26/10/2014:
You can find picture's from Richard at the gig here
You can find a gig review here
You can find Bye Bye Love here
Update 24/10/2013: We did an interview with Tom Calcaterra, Richard's guitar tech with Mark Knopfler:
Behind every great guitarist there’s a great guitar technician. The guitar technician doesn’t just know how to play and tune the instrument, they know it inside out. They understand the materials, the construction and how it all fits together. This is an interview with Tom Calcaterra, Tom works as a guitar tech on the road since many years for different bands and acts and was so nice to answer our questions about his work, life on the road and his experiences. Tom is Richard Bennett’s guitar tech when he’s on the road with Mark Knopfler. You can find the interview here
Update 29/05/2013 : Richard on the album The Big E, a tribute to Buddy Emmons :
Richard is proud that he is amongst the musicians that recorded for a tribute album for steel gitarist Buddy Emmons called The Big E.
Sessions included Duane Eddy, Dan Dugmore, Spooner Oldham and many more famous artists, the album is available from August 2013 .
Richard plays the acoustic guitar on the tracks "Blue Jade" , "When Your House is not A Home" and the bonus track "Mansion On The Hill"
Left to right Spooner Oldham, Duane Eddy, Dan Dugmore, Greg Morrow, Richard Bennett and Mike Brignardello. More legends than a road map at the Sound Emporium in June, 2012 for the The Big E sessions. The band tracked "Blue Jade," "Mansion On A Hill," and "When A House Is Not A Home," all in THREE hours!!!
Click on this link and enlarge the article in Vintage Guitar to read it:
Update 08/05/2012 : Richard appears in Kent Hartman's book : The Wrecking Crew .
Kent Hartman has written a book about The Wrecking Crew, The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best Kept Secret .
The Wrecking Crew was a group of elite session musicians in Los Angeles, California, who earned wide acclaim in the 1960s. They backed dozens of popular singers, and were one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history.
After their Wrecking Crew period Richard played with all of them and thats the reason why Richard's photo is in the book .
If you like background stories buy this great book.
Many thanks to Richard and Kent Hartman for sending me this picture.
Update 28/03/2012 : Earl Scruggs, Country Music Hall of Famer and bluegrass innovator, dies at age 88 .
It's always sad when a great musician passes. Some, like Earl Scruggs, go beyond merely playing well, they completely transform and revolutionise their instrument. Charlie Parker was one. Chet Atkins was another. And so was Earl Scruggs. When guys like that say good-bye they leave a hole in the world that can never be filled or healed.
Richard Bennett 03/04/2012
Here's a photo from the Grand Old Opry in 1999 on Mr. Scruggs' 75th birthday. I was playing the Opry with Marty Stuart, Scruggs was a guest on his part of the program and shared our dressing room. He was very subdued backstage and somewhat disengaged. Marty asked him if he was alright and Earl said, "I'm saving it for the show." He certainly was. When he was introduced he strode onstage like a man 50 years younger and played the house down.
Richard Bennett 03/04/2012
You can find info written by Peter Cooper in The Tennessean here and here
