Ben Sherman

We attended the Hands Off rally in Frederick, and it was fantastic. Inspiring to know we are not alone in thinking that things are not normal right now and not good for our country. Heartwarming to realize we are part of a great community that has a positive vision of what our country can be.

THIS WEEKEND: Fri Mar 21 - I'm playing SOLO at The County Cork Wine Pub, Eldersburg MD, 8 to 11 pm
Sat Mar 22 - I'm with Sons of Pirates at Jetty Dock Bar, Grasonville MD, 3 to 7 pm
Sun Mar 23 - SOLO at Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery, & Brewery, Thurmont MD, 2 to 5 pm

YouTube video by KUPINSKI GUITAR DUO Guitar Duo - Rhapsody in Blue

When I was a kid, my dad labored over a solo piano arrangement of Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue for countless hours. I took up classical guitar at age 12 and never looked back.
Now many decades later, this brilliant arrangement for two guitars brings my dad's and my musical worlds together.

GIG SCHEDULE UPDATE: a couple additions and one change, so here's the latest.

When you play this video and hear these clips, it's clear that Hal was the guy to call when you wanted the drums to be solid and in the pocket, but also creative, powerful and important in the mix. Hal played on literally thousands of hit records, TV theme songs, movie soundtracks, etc.

YouTube video by Wrecking Crew Hal obit

Remembering the great drummer Hal Blaine, who passed in 2019. If you were conscious during the 60's and 70's, you were hearing the drumming of Hal Blaine every time you turned on the radio or TV. Here's just a tiny sampling of his incredible contribution to our musical world.

YouTube video by Roxane Elfasci Clair de lune - Debussy (guitare)

Back with another reminder that music can help you get right with your soul. Don't skip any opportunity to feel that.
And by the way, the way master musician Roxane Elfasci achieves the full magnificence of Debussy's Clair De Lune on solo guitar is 100% pure brilliance.

In 2024 I was truly honored and grateful to be asked to write a new foreword for the 20th anniversary edition of Zen Guitar, the brilliant book by the late Philip Sudo that has been hugely inspirational to me, as a musician and a person, for many years.
www.amazon.com/Zen-Guitar-P...

YouTube video by TechnicolorMHome Technicolor Motor Home - Black Cow

I'm proud to be part of Technicolor Motor Home, the amazing Steely Dan tribute band from Maryland. Here's a clip from where it all began, 14 years ago at our debut show at the Recher Theatre in Towson MD. And yes that was the shortest my hair has ever been.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNSG...

YouTube video by Eyal Amir Eyal Amir ft. Jordan Rudess and Tammy Scheffer - Moves Like Jagger

Now for your daily "what the f---!!!" moment.
I'm not sorry, I love this a lot.

#1 - Andy Gibb "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water"
#2 - Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive"
#4 - Samantha Sang "Emotion," written by Robin and Barry Gibb
#5 - Bee Gees "Night Fever"

You think the world is crazy today? Try this out:
On this day in 1978 : "Sometimes When We Touch" by Dan Hill is the only song in the Top 5 (coming in at #3) not written by a member of The Bee Gees.

We all get another chance to know this better, every time we get to experience music, together.

YouTube video by Jacob Collier Jacob Collier & Chris Martin - Fix You (Live from the O2 Arena)

I need the sweet magic of songs like this, and magical performances like this, to help me step away and rise above the often insane and painful illusions that daily life presents us. Make no mistake, I love life, but sometimes you need a little push to remember what's really real.

Ivan Sherman, my dad, passed twelve years ago, one day after turning 82. It is impossible to express the hugeness of his impact on my life, as a musician and a human being. I wish Bluesky allowed more text in posts, so I could say more about him. If you see me, ask me about my Dad!

It is indeed lovely. Thanks for liking my posts!

Thanks for following me! How did you discover me?

John Williams (guitarist) - Wikipedia

Segovia was the teacher of my first and all-time classical guitar hero, John Williams. No not that John Williams, this one:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wi...

YouTube video by ndfusion Segovia Plays Fandanguillo (Torroba)

For real this time: Happy birthday, Andres Segovia. Others may have taken it to greater heights, but it is entirely due to Segovia that classical guitarists have any place in our culture at all. So I can say without exaggeration, as regards classical guitar: no Segovia, no me.

YouTube video by moviemaniacsDE Leonard Nimoy vs. Zachary Quinto - The Challenge

We need more Leonard!! I love this, especially how he references the Ballad of Bilbo.

He's a picker, he's a grinner.

Some call him the gangster of love.

My biggest guitar influence...some people call him the space cowboy.

Thanks for speaking up. Personal stories like yours make what’s happening more real for people who still don’t get it.

Oh lord yes.

GIGS THIS WEEKEND:
Feb 21 I'll be doing a solo show at at The Collective Offshore, Columbia MD, 6 to 9 pm
Feb 22 I'm with Sons of Pirates at the Jetty Dock Bar, Kent Narrows, MD, 3 to 7 pm
AND COMING UP:
Feb 28 SOP at The Stables Restaurant, Westminster MD
Hope to see you at some of these shows!

Yes very much so!

YouTube video by The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" Time Stand Still

Playing a gig at Mcavoys last night sure stirred up a lot of memories. But I stood on my feet and started playing, and it was OK. This song by Rush really captures the challenge of facing the past without getting lost in it, and embracing the present moment as the precious gift that it is.

Looking forward to it!

YouTube video by TheBeatlesMusic07 The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps

In these troubled times, music helps me keep in touch with my heart. I treasure the songs that do this for me, and one of them is George Harrison's sublime solo acoustic demo version of this great song. Gorgeous orchestration added by George Martin for the Love soundtrack.
youtu.be/nNTJ-j_y-_0?...