Ramie Bennett is a self-taught musician, who began playing guitar at the age of 4. He learned to play banjo, mandolin, dobro and bass by the age of 20. During the mid 1980's, Ramie began to put his talent to the test by entering several contests in West Virginia and Maryland. He is the two-time Maryland State Banjo Champion, West Virginia State Banjo Champion and has won many competitions at various bluegrass festivals across West Virginia. Ramie has perfected his style of "picking" by blending traditional with extreme contemporary bluegrass music to create a sound that is not forgotten. His influences include many Bluegrass/Acoustic artists such as: Tony Rice, Dan Crary, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Scott Vestal and Bela Fleck.
Ramie's talent to pick up an instrument and play music is extraordinary, but his ability to pick up a pencil and write songs is talent that is unique. He has been writing songs for many years, but really began to showcase his talent in 2004 with his own project. The following is a list of releases that Ramie has been involved with:
Ramie Bennett “The Promise” (2004), The West Virginia Bluegrass Band (2007), Lance Gainer and Friends (2007), Jumpin’ Tyme “Shadow of a Love” (2004), Jumpin’ Tyme “All in a Days Work” (2005), Laurel Creek “Where The Country People Live” (2007), The Spirits of Bluegrass “The Spirit Moved” (2004), The Spirits of Bluegrass (2005), The Anderson Family “The Shadow of a Man” (2002), Don Anderson “The Wrinkles on his Face” (2007), Sonny Lowers “Snow Flakes” (2006), Traditional Witness “Pressing Through” (1999), and Buck and Company “This Old Barn” (2008).
Ramie has played with several bands in West Virginia. The groups in which he was a full time member include: Bluegrass Supply, Extended Outlook, The Chewning Family, EO2, Little River Bend, Traditional Witness, The Spirits of Bluegrass, Jumpin’ Tyme and Buck and Company.
Ramie makes his home in Shavers Run West Virginia with his wife Marilyn Tanner Bennett.
|
