Brock Benjamin

I became interested in music at an early age, taking piano lessons as a young child and playing clarinet in elementary school band. At around age 14, I took up the acoustic guitar and my interest in stringed instruments was born. A couple of years later I was invited to the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas and there I was introduced to the traditional style of music that I enjoy today.

After studying the guitar for a few more years, I decided I wanted to try a second instrument, the banjo, and soon after that came the mandolin and fiddle. I began studying the history of Bluegrass and traditional old-time music, learning the styles of musicians such as Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Tommy Jarrell, J.D Crowe, Doyle Lawson, as well as more contemporary artists such as David Grisman, Tony Rice, Jerry Garcia and others.

Other than music, one of my hobbies has always been woodworking and all types of mechanics. I decided a great way to combine my interests into a career would be to learn how to build instruments! So in January of 2001 I attended Bryan Galloup's School of Lutherie in Big Rapids, Michigan, and after completing the program I was hired as a full-time instrument technician at the Mountain Music Shoppe in Shawnee, KS. This was a great experience for me, as the Shoppe is one of the most recognized traditional music stores in the country. You can visit them at www.mountainmusicshoppe.com. There I was able to gain experience working on all types of stringed instruments. I also taught private lessons in banjo, mandolin and guitar during this time.

In 2002 I attended the 22nd annual Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships held in Lawrence Kansas. While there I entered the state banjo championship contest and was fortunate enough to be named the 2002 Kansas State Banjo Champion. I returned to the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships in 2003 and won the Kansas State Mandolin Championship.

After nearly four years working at the Shoppe, I decided I wanted to try and start my own business building guitars and banjos, instrument repair and private lessons. This is what brought me to Winfield early in 2005. I can be contacted at 620-218-1723 if you have any questions regarding instrument work or lessons. Playing music is still my first love, and it has been a lot of fun playing with the Walnut River String Band. I play mandolin, banjo and fiddle with the group. All the band members are great people and have really made me feel welcome. Thanks to all of the band members, my family and my wife Tashlyn for all their support.