BenTutt
(Durham)
Wednesday 7 Aug 2019, 8:51am
I have played in various bands since I was 15.
I got a break in the music industry when I started my level 3 diploma in 2012. At the time I played for a band called The Pick ups, who where a piano based rock n roll combo. I made one studio album with The Pick up’s ‘Carry on’. In that band I met Andy Williams who was a notorious guitarist and lead vocalist on the rock n roll circuit.
Andy took me under his wing and I performed over 200 gigs with his bands; Some like it hot and The Valvetones, with these bands I played mainstage events and even headlining spots.
I recorded 2 studio Albums with The Valvetones ‘Watcha gonna do’ and Boppin’ guitar. The Valvetones got signed to Oha Records early this year and a vinyl single has been released of ‘Watcha gonna do’ When playing on the rock n roll circuit I got the opportunity to play for some of my musical heroes. In 2014 I played a Headline show at the infamous Shake rattle and roll weekender with Gene Summer's, an American rockabilly icon.
In 2015 I played a gig in Soho backing Linda Gail Lewis who was made famous by her big brother Jerry lee Lewis. This led to gigs with Linda's daughter; Mary Jean Lewis in Scotland.
Whilst I was studying my level 3 in music I played 3 shows at the gala theatre. Playing a variety of styles including Jazz, Rock, Disco and pop.
In my final year on my diploma I played for the college's theatre production Cabaret which gave me great experience following sheet music whilst playing for a live audience.
My reputation and fierce timekeeping got me other studio work with various bands, this includes The Wild Murphy's who are a well renowned Irish band.
The studio work with the Murphy's was situated at Cluny studios in Newcastle. I've done over 10 sessions for them this entailed 9 hour days recording up to 10 songs in a session. I had the pleasure to play with them at Hardwick Hall's oyster festival in 2017 where we headlined with Tony Hadley as support.
I am now currently setting up my own drum tutoring business ‘Impact Drumming’ which will be starting in March this year.
Please find links below to some of my work.
The valvetones at the Welsh rockabilly fair. 2015
https://youtu.be/BbekKGDDJ1o