Ben Knight and the Well Digger's
A bio by: Moose
In January of 2012 Ben Knight moved up to Cincinnati
and decided that when he got here after being in school that it was just not
for him right now. By pure chance he went to Molly Malone's in Covington,
Kentucky where The Tillers were playing. Ben hung around for a little bit and
began talking to Sean Geil of The Tillers. Sean told him about an open mic on
Tuesday nights in which he hosted at The Crow's Nest in Cincinnati. Ben went,
"religiously" as he told me, and from there was able to start doing
small gigs in and around town. Then at Stanley's Pub on the
"eastside" of town he met Elia Burkhart of Elia Goat and the Natural
Horns. Ben approached Elia about making some music together and soon after they
were gigging around town. They figured out a name had some gigs and as they
were gigging they came to a conclusion that they wanted another man to come
along. Again they reached out to a friend James Funk of Red Beard's Revenge who
got them in touch with Jeremy Smart of Josh Eagle and the Harvest City. Four
months later, after Jeremy decided it was time to move on from his friends (and
still good friends) Josh Eagle and the Harvest City, he joined up with Ben and
Elia which is now Ben Knight and the Well Diggers.
With Ben Knight on acoustic guitar or banjo, which he
handmade, Elia Burkhart on upright bass, and Jeremy Smart on lead guitar they
bring a brand of country folk music that is unique and fresh. Ben has a unique
ability to bring different characters into different places and or situations
into his songwriting. His picking of the banjo or guitar wraps those stories
around upbeat and get ya thinkin' kind of melodies. Elia brings his
accomplished bass playing with not only thumping the strings but seemingly
putting some percussion behind it as well. Almost like cross sticking a snare
drum as he pops and plays. And too round it all out Jeremy adds a lead guitar
that has the blues and soul that isn't loud or boisterous, but just right for
these Well Diggers.
I had a recent conversation with Ben and Jeremy in
which I asked them both "why music?" Ben said "Music, because
I'm a thrill seeker. Music, because I am romanced by what a good song can do to
or for the listener and songwriter." That feeling is portrayed through his
music. Jeremy said something that I have heard previously and feel myself he
said "Music is a universal language. It's a cliché, but music chooses you.
I couldn't stop playing (even) if I wanted to. It's in my blood. And it's a damn
fine way to make a living if you can make it work. I love touring and meeting
folks all over the country. Good work if you can get it." Through his lead
guitar and background vocals the passion bleeds from that guitar.
These three gentleman have a chemistry through their
songs. They have only been together for about a year, but through the songs and
live shows you would think they had been together much longer. They evoke the
blues, through Jeremy's leads, jazz through Elia's upright bass, and folk and bluegrass
through Ben's acoustic and banjo. They come to us via different ways of getting
there through a move, chance meetings, and different bands and through these
chance encounters we get Ben Knight and the Well Digger's.
They will be touring very soon and will have their
first album set to release, aptly titled “Diving Rod” on September 13th. You
can check them out at benknightandthewelldiggers.com or on facebook. This brand
of country, folk, and blues this Well Diggers music is pure and raw. Check them
out they are sure to be a good time.
