It's the six degrees of separation thing at work here. While the Music Fog crew was doing our thing in Nashville, at the Americana Music Festival, the bombardment of press releases from PR agents, label promotion people, artists, and managers didn't stop coming in to my email inbox. I average one an hour during the 40 hour work week, adjusted of course for east and west coast time zones, which bumps it way past 40 a week. And there are those that straggle in at all hours of the night, so there is always some new bit of music being released, or announcement of a tour or festival for me to ponder. But what I love best is getting one that is totally out of the blue. Here is an email from this fellow named Jim from Coral Gables, Florida:
"I just discovered your site and think it's terrific. I just linked to your Facebook page. Do you take artist suggestions? I recently got turned onto this musician by the name of BEN PRESTAGE, out of Vero Beach, FL by a local folk musician friend, Bob Ingram from Coconut Grove, FL. I've been to see Ben play several times. He is truly a one man band, and I think your viewers would really appreciate his music."
Ben Prestage distills Mississippi Country with Florida Swamp Blues - muddy water meets black water - and he was hailed as "one of the three best unsigned performers in the world” at the 2006 International Blues Challenge. He plays many cigar box guitars (made by John Lowe, also a one man band from Memphis), one of which has guitar and bass strings that are played independently. Ben also plays foot pedals on a drum kit by the heels and toes of both feet. It makes me dizzy to think of all those functions at the same time, but it sure is fascinating to watch. So, thanks to Jim from Coral Gables for the head's up! Here's a version of the song "2:19," recorded in the Netherlands last year, taken from his album Down-Home & Home-Made.
- Jessie Scott
