Arlon Bennett

Artist Information

Biography

Arlon Bennett is an Americana songsmith writing songs that recall Harry Chapin and vintage James Taylor, but with an eloquence, honesty, and sense of humor all his own. In short, Arlon's music tells of the human experience by bringing past relationships back to life and giving life to the inanimate.

'Summer’s Voice' is Arlon’s third and latest release (Red Sea Records). He lets you eavesdrop on a conversation with a Vietnam veteran, go a bus ride with Rosa Parks, and enjoy a red light on your third date, amongst other ordinary AND extraordinary vignettes. His foot-tapping songs will draw chills, laughs, and the contemplative 'Hmmm...' while he engages you with an All-American 'aw-shucks' charisma that you don't see around too often.

Arlon’s emergence in the Folk/Americana scene has grown steadily. While accumulating songwriting awards throughout North America, he has opened for such acts as Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Jill Sobule, Michael Smith, Lesley Gore, Buddy Mondlock, and has sung with Livingston Taylor. Arlon also was twice selected by Noel ‘Paul’ Stookey to perform in his Music-to-Life showcase featuring America's best songs of social consciousness. Arlon is equally proud that his lyrics to “The Ace in Grace” (from his 1999 debut, Fountain of Dreams) were used in the official statue dedication of late tennis champion, humanitarian and personal hero, Arthur Ashe.

Recently, Arlon was invited by a presidential campaign to perform his song 'Be the Change' in a lineup that also included Bruce Hornsby, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Arlon’s music also reached another playing field when the New York Mets chose the title track of 'Summer’s Voice' to be featured in a tribute video to Hall of Fame sportscaster Bob Murphy before a packed house at Shea Stadium.

There’s always something meaningful in Arlon’s songs because he recognizes the power of music to reach people. He gives his skills and talents to organizations like Hospice and “Wednesday’s Child” (NBC/Philadelphia), and participates in fundraising efforts for numerous causes including the Hudson Valley Food Bank.

Arlon is never afraid to experiment and push his boundaries. His inherent need to constantly evolve is unmistakable on 'Summer’s Voice'. And his music always comes from the heart. “It’s the most rewarding way to communicate,” says Arlon. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Instrumentation

John Sonntag - Guitar
Gordon Roehrer - Bass

Discography

Summer's Voice - 2007
The Watch Man - 2001
Fountain of Dreams - 1999

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Facebook fan page

Audio

• Be The Change
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• Bandana Man
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• Where the Goodbyes Go
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• Sal
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• A Little Faith
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• Sal
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• Sal
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Lyrics

• Be the Change
• The Watch Man
• I Am The War
• Forgive Me
• Bandana Man

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Quote Compilation [+ Show ]
  

  What some people are saying about Arlon… “Summer’s Voice is one of the best folk albums to come a...What some people are saying about Arlon…
  
  “Summer’s Voice is one of the best folk albums to come along in years, and should be near the top of many yearend “Best Of” lists”.
  - Hal Selzer, Aquarian Weekly
  
  “Damn, this guy can write.”
  - Sing Out! Magazine
  
  "Arlon's songs ring true, whether he's writing about the personal or the political. And when he brings those worlds together in "Be the
  Change," the result is inspiring."
  - John Platt WFUV 90.7 FM New York
  
  “Arlon Bennett presents his stories in song using a variety of unique and compelling ‘camera angles’. He is a singer/songwriter who brings you stories from unique perspectives, and draws you right in. His guitar work is masterful and blends so well with the spirituality
  of his music.”
  - Singer Magazine
  
  The foundation of Bennett's songs is intelligence, whether it be wit or just his angle of view. He has a way of taking something mundane and making it fresh.
  - AcousticMusic.com
  
  “Spiritual in tone, the music matches Arlon’s acoustical brilliance with personal tales of woe and eventual triumph…”
  - The ROOM Magazine
  
  “Every decade or so, a voice appears on the folk music scene that makes you sit up and
  take notice. When that voice is paired with songs and lyrics that tell a story or sing of the human spirit, it is truly magical. That voice is Arlon Bennett.”
  - Jane Falvey, WRIU 90.3 FM, Kingston, RI
  
  “Arlon, Fun Sharing Music with You!”
  - Tom Chapin
  
  “I really enjoyed working with Arlon. He offered a lot of caring toward our Wednesday’s
  Child – a lot of good advice, and he really seemed to have a genuine interest in her and her future.”
  - Lydia Reeves, producer, NBC 10 Philadelphia
  
  “Arlon, with just his charm and an acoustic guitar, was able to share our stage with the manic energy of Groovelily. He became an Arts Center favorite. In response to our
  weekly questionnaire asking for our audience's picks for future shows, the answer often comes back, "Arlon Bennett." Great musicianship, storytelling songs that engage an audience, and an awshucks charisma that we don't see in Jersey too often!”
  - Scott Sheldon, Watchung Arts Center

• Arlon Bennett - Communicating the Extraordinary [+ Show ]
  

  “It’s the most rewarding way to communicate,” says Arlon Bennett, explaining how he feels about his ...“It’s the most rewarding way to communicate,” says Arlon Bennett, explaining how he feels about his music. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Apparently others feel good about his work as well, as he has gained increasing visibility in the
  folk Americana scene.
  
  Arlon won the prestigious Rose Garden Song Competition in 2005, placed second at the Great Waters Folk Festival in 2004, and has been a finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival. He was twice selected by Noel Stookey (a/k/a Paul, from Peter, Paul & Mary) to perform in his Music-to-Life showcase. He has won awards in the Billboard, MidAtlantic
  and Unisong contests, and lyrics from his song “The Ace In Grace” were used in the official statue dedication of the late tennis champion Arthur Ashe. His music reached a bigger playing field recently, when the New York Mets chose the title track of his new CD, Summer’s Voice, to be featured in a tribute video to Hall of Fame sportscaster Bob Murphy at Shea Stadium.
  
  A fan once told Arlon that he wrote songs the way Norman Rockwell
  would paint. It’s a description of his music that he appreciated. “I have
  been described as ‘telling Harry Chapin-like stories with James Taylor’s licks and Jim Croce’s blue collar’, ”he says. “With that, I would say that I love to paint stories that tell of the everyday and the extraordinary.”
  
  Though he is Jersey based, Arlon has spent a good deal of time in
  Nashville and utilized some of the musicians he came across down
  there. “I had done several demos in Nashville with some great musicians at Bayou Recording,” he ecalls. “So, when the time came to record the project, I decided to use them to lay down all the tracks. Donnie Skaggs was the band leader and helped me produce it.” Arlon‘s playing schedule includes a tour of the folk circuit, with stops at festivals in Kerrville, TX, the South Florida Folk Festival, and the New Jersey Folk Festival, as well as NYC’s Bitter End and the Minstrel Coffeehouse in Morristown, NJ. He also will be on the Fiddles & Frets Internet Radio Show on Friday, June 29, and at the Crossroads Coffeehouse in
  Philadelphia that night, before heading back to Jersey for a radio appearance on WFDU in Teaneck on June 30.
  
  “Basically, I love anyplace where there is a supportive crowd and where the sound system is nice, unless it’s all acoustic like a house concert,” muses Arlon. “Perhaps house concerts are most fun because they are intimate and acoustic.” House concerts would seem to be an ideal way to listen to Arlon, because even on CD he comes across as intimate and
  inviting. Summer’s Voice is one of the best folk albums to come along in years, and should be near the top of many year-end “Best Of” lists.
  While he has garnered great acclaim with his past work, Arlon always feels he can grow. “I am always trying to raise the bar in some way with my writing, and always willing to experiment with new things musically and productionwise,” he
  says. “I would say that my new record, Summer’s Voice, is more ‘full’ sounding with the ensemble of piano, keys, bass, drums, and acoustic and electric guitars in most of the songs. It was recorded with the same ensemble over the course of a couple of days, so the consistency is there. With respect to the writing, I would add that I have more uptempo songs than
  the introspective-type songs, though there are a couple of those too. I always need a couple of those to keep me grounded!
  Oh, and I put a cover song on this record by Johnny Cash, ‘Straight A’s In Love.’ I thought that would be a fitting tribute. I had never done that before.”
  
  Arlon tends to write from a thought or idea of something he wants to get across rather than from chord changes or melody. “Usually with an idea of something I want to communicate,” he explains. “Then I play with guitar/melody ideas and lyrical ideas. Sometimes they arrive at the same time and other times they arrive separately. When I have the idea, a melody, and even some semblance of a lyric, then I’m off and running. It may still take some time to finish the song, but as long as there is a foundation, then I am on to something.”
  
  His influences include some of the best known folk and folk rock singers/songwriters. “The troubadours of the past like Jim
  Croce, Harry Chapin, Dan Fogelberg, and more modern folk artists like John Gorka,” relates Arlon. “I was schooled in the
  James Taylor guitar style, though I have developed my own voice.”
  You can find out more about Arlon Bennett and Summer’s Voice at arlonbennett.com, or on myspace.com/arlon.

• Venues performed [+ Show ]
  

  A partial list of venues where Arlon has performed... FAIRS AND FESTIVALS... Kerrville Folk Fe...A partial list of venues where Arlon has performed...
  
  FAIRS AND FESTIVALS...
  
  Kerrville Folk Festival, TX
  Kerrville Music-to-Life Showcase, TX
  Great Waters Festival, NH
  Philadalphia Vote! Festival (National Constitution Center)
  Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, NY
  South Florida Folk Festival, FL
  Sonora Songwriters festival, CA
  New Jersey Folk Festival
  KRCL Folk Festival, Salt Lake City, UT
  Lake County Folk Festival, IL
  Solarfest, VT
  Outpost in the Burbs
  Lawrence Arts and Music Festival, NJ
  Newsongs festival, W.Va
  Mayfair, Bethlehem, PA
  Harvest Moon Wine & Folk Festival, Warwick, NY
  Hamilton Septemberfest, NJ
  Azalia Festival, Hamilton, NJ
  
  BENEFITS AND CAUSES...
  
  Anderson House (Benefit for unwed mothers)
  Coalition for Peace Action, Princeton NJ
  Ranch Hope Home for Boys, NJ
  Hospice of the South Shore, NY
  Common Grounds, (North Hunterdon Developmental Center, NJ)
  Station Cafe Benefit to aid Tsunami victims (PA)
  
  MAJOR MUSIC CONFERENCES...
  
  National Folk Alliance, Jacksonville, Nashville, San Diego, Montreal
  Northeast Folk Alliance, NY and PA
  Philadelphia Music Conference
  Canadian Music week
  Tin Pan South, Nashville TN
  
  COOL LISTENING VENUES...
  
  Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem PA
  The Point, Philadelphia PA
  The Conduit, Trenton, NJ
  Acoustic Sounds, Little Rock, AR
  The Evening Muse, Charlotte, NC
  Six String Cafe, Cary, NC
  The Postcrypt Coffeehouse, NYC
  Philadelphia Songwriter's Project
  Steel City Coffeehouse, PA
  Minstrel Coffeehouse, NJ
  Broken Spoke Writer's night, Nashville, TN
  Commodore Writer's Night, Nashville, TN
  The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN
  The Eclectic Cafe, Bay Shore, NY
  The Sidestage, NJ
  Watchung Arts Center, NJ
  Mine Street Coffeehouse, NJ
  Sanctuary Coffeehouse, NJ
  Congregational Coffeehouse, NJ
  Mary's Place, NJ
  Purdue University Campus Sounds
  Lake Winona Civic Center, NJ
  Hillside Cafe, NJ
  Peacesmiths Coffeehouse, NY
  Cafe Improv, Princeton, NJ
  John & Peter's, New Hope PA
  PSA (Philadelphia Songwriter's Association) House Concert Series
  The Red Lion, Rutgers University, NJ
  Second Saturdays, Summit, NJ
  Maplewood First Night, NJ
  The Rosegarden Coffeehouse, MA
  The Muddy Cup, NY
  Club Havana, New Hope, PA
  Outpost in the Burbs
  
  CAFE'S n' SUCH...
  
  Internet Cafe, NJ
  Colts Neck Cafe, NJ
  Java Jam, NJ
  Failte Coffeehouse, NJ
  Caffe Annick, NJ
  Fedora Cafe, NJ
  Cornerstone Cafe, NJ
  Cath Coffeehouse, indianapolis, IN
  Orpha's Coffeehouse, NJ
  Bucks County Coffee Company, NJ
  The Station Cafe, PA
  ...so many others!
  
  ATTENDED AND PERFORMED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER...
  
  National Guitar Workshop, (Canada, CT)
  Swannanoa Gathering, NC
  SummerSongs, NY
  Just Plain Folks Showcases, NY, NJ, PA
  
  BOOK STORES...
  
  Barnes and Noble Books
  Borders Books (All over!)
  Encore Books, NJ
  Alpha Books, NJ
  ...lost track!
  
  OTHER WONDERFUL ESTABLISHMENTS...
  
  The Baggot Inn, New York City
  Bar B, New York City
  C Note, New York City
  Nightingale, NYC
  Kenny's Castways
  ..and more!
  
  

• DJ Review of "The Watch Man" CD [+ Show ]
  

  "Every decade or so, a voice appears on the folk music scene that makes you sit up and take notice. ..."Every decade or so, a voice appears on the folk music scene that makes you sit up and take notice. When that voice is paired with songs and lyrics that tell a story or sing of the human spirit, it is truly magical. That voice is Arlon Bennett, and his CD “The Watch Man” leaves you wanting more of this great talent. Listen to it. Listen again, and again…"
  - Jane Falvey, The Kingston Coffeehouse, WRIU Kingston, 90.3 fm
  

Setlist

Summer's Voice
Bandana Man
Question For Einstein
A Friend in You
Sal
Nothing Like a Song
The Watch Man
Carry Me
Just Like Them
I am the war
Be The Change
Ocean Cowboy

* Some surprise obscure covers by a variety of other artists ranging from John Gorka, to Jim Croce.

* He tends to change set lists on the fly depending on the flow of the show and the audience.

Basic Requirements

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