WMSV will present The Ben Taylor Band, which will take the stage of Rick’s Caf‹¨e Wednesday night to bring a sound that is somewhat different than the typical Starkville entertainment line-up so far this school year.
Ben Taylor was born into the world of music with music-legend parents James Taylor and Carly Simon. His parents have been a natural influence, shown through his sound that is most compared to his father’s.
“With his gene pool, he is a really talented singer/songwriter,” WMSV station manager Steve Ellis said. “He is also bringing a full band with some really good acoustic stuff, as well as some good rock ‘n’ roll.”
Although Taylor wasn’t always sure that music was where he wanted to go with his life, he is now following the path to music stardom. His album Another Run Around the Sun proves to be a self-discovering album that holds true to what Taylor is all about.
Taylor admitted that he was trying to go in a different direction than his father on his first two albums, but eventually understood that that would not be giving it his best.
Taylor’s 2006 tour, which kicked off in France at the beginning of January, will cover numerous venues all over the United States.
“He is doing a 30-city tour,” Ellis said. “We were real fortunate to get him to come here.”
Taylor has been featured on “The Today Show,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Morning Show,” “Last Call with Carson Daly” and “Howard Stern.”
He has performed with the likes of Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch, Kelly Clarkson, Josh Groban and Barry Manilow.
Taylor even made his acting debut on the NBC series “American Dream” and has been featured as a Ralph Lauren model.
The Ben Taylor Band is also made up of drummer Larry Ciancia, keyboardist and vocalist Adam MacDougall, guitarist and vocalist Josh Lopez and bassist Josh Karnes.
Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Caf‹¨, credited Ellis for bringing this new sound to Starkville.
“We already had another event planned, but moved it to accommodate this show,” Welch said. “I’m excited to have The Ben Taylor Band play at Rick’s.”
Doors will open for the concert at 7:30 p.m., and British performer David Saw will kick things off as the opening act.
“We hope that folks come out,” Ellis said. “He has never been to Mississippi before, so we need to give him a great big welcome and make it a nice experience for him.”
Senior communication major Mallory Moulder said, “I can’t wait to hear what Ben Taylor has in store for us. It sounds like I will be able to sit down, relax and listen to a great band with a great sound.”
For more information about The Ben Taylor Band visit www.bentaylorband.com.
When: Wed., Feb. 8. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Show starts at 9 p.m.
Where: Rick’s Cafe‹¨, 310B Miss. Highway 182 E.
Cost: $5 at the door