John Wayne Benson is an American mandolinist and songwriter in the bluegrass tradition.
16 Facts About Wayne Benson
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Wayne Benson is best known for his unique approach to the mandolin, and his long-term involvement with Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.
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Benson was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, in a musical family where his father John Benson played fiddle, banjo, and guitar with his uncles.
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Gifted a Roy Rogers guitar for Christmas when he was seven, Wayne Benson learned how to play, sitting in on family music gatherings.
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In 1989, Scott Vestal invited Wayne Benson to join the band Livewire with Ernie Sykes and Robert Hale.
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Wayne Benson played with Livewire for three years, recording one album Wired in 1990 on Rounder Records.
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Wayne Benson participated when Livewire reunited in 1999 for one show.
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In 1993, Wayne Benson joined the band Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out.
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Wayne Benson left IIIrd Tyme Out in 2004 to play with the John Cowan Band, recording two albums with them.
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In 2007, Wayne Benson returned to IIIrd Tyme Out and has remained with them since.
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In 2003, Wayne Benson released his solo album An Instrumental Anthology on Pinecastle Records.
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Wayne Benson recorded Mandolin Chronicles with Alan Bibey in 2013, an album of mandolin duets.
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In 2006, Wayne Benson performed with the Wreckers, a duo featuring Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp.
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Wayne Benson earned the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Mandolin Player of the Year award for five consecutive years.
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Wayne Benson is married to bluegrass musician Kristin Scott Benson.
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Wayne Benson teaches private mandolin lessons in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area.