IBen Morton

IBen Morton has a near life-long musical background, starting when he was around 4 years old. Benjamin began tapping out rhythm on pots and pans in the kitchen as a young boy. Growing up in an at home childcare put him in touch with boys his age who shaped his perspective of the bonds young boys share. These bonds began to solidify as Benjamin entered schools where he was immersed in shared activities with other children of his age in a learning environment. Earliest musical influences include The Beatles, as their music played most the time in Benjamin’s young childhood. Other musical artists include The Carpenters and Gordon Lightfoot. Life-long friends and companions joined Benjamin and followed him closely through school years, often changing schools meeting up in Benjamin’s next and next school. Benjamin’s childhood included many moves from differing schools as his family moved quite often. These companions accompanying him through the various schools is what led to a solid companionship with his dearest friends which seemed to never go away. It was with these friends that Benjamin began in choir in elementary school and later Benjamin decided on band. Benjamin pursued rhythm and drumming after earlier instruction on piano and electric organ, in addition to clarinet in early band class. As Benjamin entered junior high school he was also playing some electric guitar and often playing on a drum set in the garage. Benjamin’s musical influences had grown to include artists such as Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Bryan Adams, Peter Maffay, Nena, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, as well as various Hip Hop artists of the day. In junior high school Benjamin was introduced to Rap music and more Pop artists. Junior and Senior High Schools included much classical band music in addition to the featured marching band and drumline styles with emphasis on Jazz Band. Benjamin participated ongoing through each music class offered through his school districts, primarily dedicating himself to percussion and drum set in school. Benjamin practiced his drumming in excess of ten hours everyday throughout his childhood before entering the workforce as a 16 year old. Benjamin continued to pursue his music, playing drums, seeing live bands, attending concerts as he grew into a young adult and onward into his twenties. Benjamin answered an advertisement looking for a drummer and joined Wild Ride, a 5 member Southern Rock and Country Band in 2001. Benjamin remained with Wild Ride ongoing with several live community events as well as weekly performances in multiple honky tonks with an offshoot of the band, Buck and the Four Bits, where he sang and played harmonica, while drumming. Fan favorites included drum solos, much to the surprise of Benjamin, and many would get up and dance. Members of Buck and the Four Bits would play sometimes twice a week at local honky tonks, performing with area musicians of all ages which promoted a very strong sense of community and music appreciation. Musicians young and old and all ages would join in, performing music for everyone to enjoy and dance with.