Ben Mitchell
Earliest influence is easily Marty Robbins, singer/songwriter and NASCAR driver who raced the number 42 Dodge and sang a story like nobody else. Nothing captures a moment in time like a well told story. Other musical influences include Buddy Holly, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Beethoven, and George Strait.
Rooted in country, a musical sojourn included rock, folk, classical, and back home to country. Packing players and equipment into a questionably functional vehicle and other experiences while traveling and looking for a better life inspired more mature songs that interwove the lives of people, events, and the consequences of good and bad decisions. Tunes from both Ben Mitchell CD's "Peace of Mind" and "Let It Ride" received international airplay from stations that spin independent music. You may have heard a Ben Mitchell jingle or saw Ben in a commercial on cable TV.
As an auto-racing fan, mostly NASCAR, it became apparent that few if any songs about auto-racing were played during televised races, race programs or on the radio. "Stock Car Fever" on the "Let It Ride " CD, is a country/rock tune meant to be fun for race fans. It seems that Marty Robbins' influence in songwriting may have also included auto sports.