Ben Apolinar

Artist Information

Biography
AMIGOS
Born and raised in Pecos, Texas, Ben began playing with a High School band called AMIGOS. A trio of guys playing cover tunes from the group AMERICA. The band went on to play their own shows locally and gained popularity at local schools as entertainment. Band Members: Eddie Vasquez, Sonny Falcon and Ben Apolinar. No Recordings available.

EXXODUS
Ben began to expand his musical influences locally and soon became part of the band EXXODUS. Founding band members and brothers Marcos & Pilo Mendoza and Songwriter Paul Briones were musical heavy weights locally. The band expanded their membership adding powerhouse vocalist Julia Galindo. The band recorded LOW RIDING, TELL ME EVERYTHING, and JUST BECAUSE OF YOU, The song JUST BEACUSE OF YOU, penned by Paul Briones, received recognition through the Billboard Songwriting Contest. Young and nowhere to go, the band fizzled but not without making an impact on the music scene locally. Band Members: Marcos Mendoza, Pilo Mendoza, Paul Briones, Alfred Gomez, Orlando Urias, Jeff Bryant, Ricky Barreno, Julia Galindo and Ben Apolinar.

SUDDEN IMPACT
In the summer of 84, Ben and brothers Mickey & Eddie Vasquez formed a new band, Sudden Impact. It started as a Pop Rock band and soon took a turn towards the Pop Christian music. The band released two projects with Ben as the Front Man/ Bass Player / Lead Vocalist. BRAND NEW START and BY FAITH are standalone projects that show great potential of three individual artists. Soon after the By Faith release Ben left the group to persue other musical musings. Band Members: Eddie Vasquez, Mickey Vasquez, Jason Alvarez, Aldo Ramon, Benjie Mendoza, Ben Apolinar.

CHALLENGER BAND
During his down time Ben was invited to fill in as Bass player for THE CHALLENGER BAND, founded and led by Gome Olivas. Every musician that ever was in the tiny town of Pecos, Texas, at one time or another played in this band. Ricky Barreno, then lead vocalist for the group invited Ben to try out the band. Through this, Ben began studying the Tejano scene. He began to see the potential of the musicians in the group and became interested in contributing to the Tejano music scene even if it was only in his own corner of the world.
Challenger Band Members: Band Leader/Trumpet: Gome Olivas, Lead Vocalists: Ricky Barreno & Martha Cedillo, Drums: Gary Rumbaugh, Guitar/Lead & Backing Vocals Ernest Marquez, Bass/Lead & Backing Vocals: Ben Apolinar

MIRADAS
Not long after that, Ben was approached by Rudy Falcon & Joey Martinez. Joey had been front man for the same CHALLENGER BAND and Rudy was a keyboard player and young businessman. The idea was to form a band and work the Tejano circuit in hopes of creating great music. The result turned into the music group, MIRADAS where Ben's songwriting and arrangement skills were heightened. Working with great musician Steve Henry (Lead Guitarist), Joseph Barrera (Bass), Rudy Falcon (Keyboard), Gary Rumbaugh (Drums) and front man Joey Martinez, was a great experience for Ben. The musicians in that group were influential in their own way. The groups talent is best captured on the songs Algun Dia, Asegurame, and Cara Inolvidable. Cara Inolvidable was co-written by Joe Legarda, one more influential guitarist that helped shaped Ben's music skills. Ben left the group in 1997 after moving to Texas City, Texas from a work transfer but not before the groups momentum led them to become opening acts for great such as Little Joe Y La Familia, La Difenzia, Gary Hobbs and Elida Y Avante.
Band Members: Keyboard: Rudy Falcon, Guitar/Backing Vocals: Steve Henry, Bass: Joseph Barrera, Drums: Gary Rumbaugh, Frontman/Lead Vocals: Joey Martinez, Guitar/Percussion/Lead & Backing Vocals: Ben Apolinar

BEN APOLINAR
Since then Ben has worked with great artists such as Patty Cabrera, WDYSIA, Matt Maher and Tom Booth. Ben released his first Solo Independent cd entitled FIRM produced by Michael & Ron Morales and featuring Kathryn Apolinar on backing vocals. His album was also nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Album in the Independent Music Awards. Ben also won the VOX of POPULI, (voice of the people award) from the same Independent Music Awards group.

Ben's latest DEMO "BREAD THIEVES" was written for the soundtrack of the Independent Film by the same name and can be heard on the playlist.

Ben plays the Houston/ Galveston area coffeehouse venues, weddings and Private Parties.

Booking Information:
Ben Apolinar
Email: bapolinar@swbell.net