Magnolia Bayou with Ben Lewis

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/magnolia-bayou-feat-ben-lewis-of-bishop-gunn-tickets-96691088649

Presented by Ghost Train Brewing Company in conjunction with Rob & Melissa Meadows, get ready to hear the Rock-N-Roll Delta Blues via Gulfport, MS. Because their upbringings stretch so far across the state, a vast array of influences are carried throughout their music, which is soaked with the sound and soul of their southern heritage. In the three short years since their formation, they have paid their dues up and down the Mississippi Blues Trail, touring extensively throughout the surrounding South and as far as the Midwest. Full of energy and soul, the band carries a dynamic show that captivates its audience and transports them back to the late 60’s and 70’, a time when music was epic. They have shared the stage with many national and global touring acts such as Flow Tribe, Walter Wolfman Washington, Cody Johnson, The Banditos, The Cordovas, Ian Moore and Mississippi’s own BISHOP GUNN. In the last year, the band has had the opportunity to play several iconic venues such as Ricks Café (Starkville, MS), Puckett’s Grocery (Franklin, TN), Duling Hall (Jackson, MS), Marriot Shoals (Muscle Shoals, AL) and most recently the world famous 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN. Earlier this summer they traveled to Filer, ID to open for the Grammy-nominated Eli Young Band at HWY 30 Music Fest. They played at the legendary Tipitina's in New Orleans, LA in November, kicking off a lineup of performances through the new year! Magnolia Bayou spent the majority of 2017 funding and recording their self-titled, debut album at Music Shed Studios in New Orleans, LA. Much of the voodoo and folklore of the surrounding area can be heard and felt throughout their LP. The music contains nuances of southern, psychedelic, funk and blues-based Rock N Roll. In May of 2018, the band released the album to a sold out crowd at Murky Waters Blues Club in their hometown of Gulfport, MS. Listeners describe their look and sound as a throwback to the late 60’s and early 70’s when Rock N Roll was “epic”. With the release, there has been positive reverberation among their rapidly growing and diverse fan base.

Ben Lewis is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist hailing from Natchez, MS, a town rich in culture and history in a state rooted in the blues. With musicians on both sides of the family, he was exposed to a wide variety of music at a very early age. At age 10 he began playing trumpet, but found his true passion at age 12 when he was given his first hand-me-down guitar by his aunt.

At age 17, Ben found himself playing Bass in the local bars and house parties with a group of friends who called themselves Double Shot. When he turned 18 in 2000, Ben joined the Marine Corps and spent the next 4 years serving at different duty stations across the country as well as one tour in Iraq. His last duty station landed him in eastern North Carolina where he helped form a hard rock band called Absynth. After an honorable discharge, he stayed on the Carolina coast playing at local bars and festivals for several years following.

In the late summer of 2006, Ben moved back to Natchez, MS and reunited with former members of Double Shot, Jon Borum and Bob Buseck along with long time friend and drummer, Aaron O'Brien to form In Red Letters. IRL quickly gained popularity in the local bar scene with the release of their first and only album Beautiful World. In 2008, IRL played their biggest show at the Great Mississippi River Balloon Festival for the Friday night balloon glow.

In Red Letters disbanded shortly after and Ben began his solo acoustic career in a familiar Natchez music venue the Under the Hill Saloon. It was here that Ben met many travelling musicians and went on the share the stage and studio with artists like Walker Lukens, the Battlefield Band, Grand Child, and the Kodiak Farm Boys, and has played venues in Austin, TX, Nashville, TN, Little Rock, AR, Baton Rouge, LA, and Birmingham, AL.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/magnolia-bayou-feat-ben-lewis-of-bishop-gunn-tickets-96691088649