Don Benson – “Late Bloomer” – CD Release Party

A CD release party for Don Benson’s “Late Bloomer” will be on Friday, March 7 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at NCCA-Artsplace.  Don will be playing his hand built instruments, singing his original songs and telling the stories behind them.  The event is free and CD’s will be available for purchase.

Benson, of Grant, is multi-talented and well-known in the area as a singer/songwriter, luthier, musician, entrepreneur, and jewelry artist.  His CD “Late Bloomer” includes a ukulele and guitar featured in the songs that are handmade by him in his studio.

“Late Bloomer” features 12 original works with each telling its own story.  About the song “Tapestry of You”, Benson states “When my wife Cheryl and I travel, we often listen to book tapes.  We listened to one set in the Middle Ages about the making of tapestries.  It is a highly complex production all the way from the very fibers they are made of to the families and the craftsman who created these wonderful pieces of art.  Although only royalty and the very rich could afford them, thousands made their living making them. Using this analogy I reflected upon my lovely wife of 45 years and how we are all a tapestry of many lives woven together.  I wrote this song to honor Cheryl and it is my tribute to her.”

When asked about how his interest in music started, Benson stated, “Even though I came from a non-musical family, I was moved by the music I heard on the 45 rpm records my brothers bought and played.  A friend of mine showed me some chords on his guitar. I still recall the awesome feeling of playing a chord correctly.  After many years of playing cover songs, a friend, who wrote and sang his songs, would hand me lyrics and say, come up with the music for this.  He also encouraged me to write my own songs.”

The CD was produced by Jay Round and Benson at Circle Sonics Studio in Grand Rapids.  Round also plays upright bass, guitar and background vocals; Nelson Wood joins in with pedal steel and dobro; and Bill Vits plays drums and rhythm bones with Benson on the CD.  Additional vocals are provided by Benson’s granddaughters Cyanne Schuitema, Cora Schuitema, and Iris Reploge.

Come out and enjoy Benson’s CD release party on March 7 at NCCA-Artsplace, 13 East Main Street in downtown Fremont.  The event is free and CD’s will be available for $15.  Call 231.924.4022 for more information.