UPDATES

Be sure to check out the new photos from Ben's performance at Nashville's Music City Roots. The pics are located under the photo icon. Also be sure to check out the new tour dates listed on the "Live" page. Ben will be back in N. Ireland for several appearances and will also be spending a week in New York City where he will be performing at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Station.

"Lightning 100" Radio Feature Airs Sunday Aug 22

"Un-predictable and un-scripted, informative and always entertaining!  A “must listen” for anyone interested in music.  That’s how our audience is describing Music Business Radio, a syndicated weekly one-hour specialty program spotlighting the inside workings of the music business.  The show is hosted by music market expert, consultant, and author, David Hooper, and features interviews with various industry professionals giving the listeners their insight and expertise into the business.  Our wide-ranging guest list include Grammy Award winning producers, artists, musicians, and songwriters….as well as, record executives, promoters and artist managers. Ben Glover and Neilson Hubbard are next on Music Business Radio.  This episode talks about Ben's new album, Through the Noise, Through the Night.  It also includes two performances from him, backed by Neilson Hubbard. We talk about Ben's move from Belfast, Ireland to Nashville, how he got Vince Gill to perform on his debut album, his current album, what it was like to work with Neilson Hubbard, and more. Listen live at 7 pm CST. or check the link below for podcast.


Click here to go to the official Music Business Radio website!

MUSIC CITY ROOTS APPEARANCE

For those in Nashville, don't miss Ben's debut performance at the Music City Roots Radio Show. The hit show is broadcast in front of a live audience at the Loveless Cafe and hosted by Jim Lauderdale. Ben will be performing with producer Neilson Hubbard and players. Also on the show, Cary Hudson, Derek Hoke, Shannon Whitworth, and Sonos. www.musiccityroots.com

In Remembrance

Ben wishes to extend his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Hugh Friel, Paul Doherty, Ciaran Sweeney, Mark McLaughlin, Eamonn McDaid, Patrick PJ McLaughlin, Damien McLaughlin, and James McEleney, who were tragically killed in an automobile accident on July 11 in Co Donegal. He asks for people to keep Shaun Kelly in their thoughts, also a victim of the accident, who is in critical but stable condition.

New tunes added to "Music" page

Be sure to check out the new song added to the Music page. Along with the EP and Ben's first two albums we've added the beautiful duet "Do What You Do," featuring Elaine Murphy. The track is available as a FREE download on this site only!

Hometown Show Announced

Ben's home village of Glenarm, Co. Antrim will be celebrating the launch of the "The Regeneration Masterplan for Glenarm" on Wednesday 30th June. As part of the event Ben will be performing live outdoors at the old Eglinton office courtyard at the harbour at 7.15pm. The event is free admission.

Broken Jukebox Review

 I have read people compare Glover to Ryan Adams and that seems apt, especially when it comes to vocal quality. Glover’s voice gives a frailty to some of these songs that really pushes their mood to another level.

I had never heard of the Irishman before receiving this record, his second to date. Recorded in Nashville in late 2009 Through the Noise, Through the Night, was good enough to prompt to buy his first release, The Week the Clocks Changed.

There are a number of killer tracks on this album, starting with the opener. “Full Moon Child”, written with Mary Gauthier, which follows the life of a down and out girl who works whatever job she can to make ends meet and embellishes her relationship with her boss to make herself feel better. A great sounding track that was extremely well written.

My next favorite is “The Hat”, the story of a man finding a cowboy hat washed up on the shore and deciding to put it on. He goes on to attribute any future positives in his life to the hat. A great idea for a tune.

Finally, “A Little Less Blue” stood out among the rest of the songs on the album. In a story of lost love the line “I’ll cover your name with another tattoo” really made ears perk up.

I wish a larger portion of the Americans who make the pilgrimage to Nashville to make a record came away with a product this good.Glover delivers a great record with many ups and downs emotionally. At times it seems slightly overproduced and makes me long to hear him in a stripped down environment, but that probably comes more from my personal tastes than actual quality.

I think this album is only currently available as a download but the hard copies will hit the market in August of this year. You should check out Ben Glover on his website and I will be attempting to see him live the next time he tours American soil for sure.

Catch Ben on Dundalk FM with Michael Duffy

 Be sure to tune in to Dundalk FM on Friday, June 25 as Ben will be performing a live session with Michael Duffy. Also, don't forget Ben's show the following day at the Sea Bangor Festival at 5 pm.

New pics from London Showcase

We've just posted these new pics from Ben's highly successful London showcase this week. He had a great show and enjoyed spending a few days working in London. He flew back yesterday and boarded a boat this morning at 6 am for Scotland. Ben will be performing tonight on Ricky Ross' show on BBC Scotland. He performs in Edinburgh at The Bongo Club on Sat (May 29th) and at Stereo in Glasgow on May 30th.

SOLD OUT

Ben's show with Declan O'Rourke at An Droichead this Saturday (June 5) has sold out. For those in Belfast who didn't get a chance to grab a ticket be sure to check him out June 18th at McHughs.

Fan Realm - Album review

"Ben Glover is a singer/songwriter from County Antrim in Northern Ireland but he also spends time in Nashville. I discovered Ben several months ago when I downloaded his song Where the Lines Are at the NI Charts site. I became an instant fan so I was happy to be asked to review his album.

This, his second album, was recorded in Nashville and you can detect that wonderful mellow realism that is part of the city’s style throughout. The songs have great lyrics. They spin intimate tales of dreamers, lovers and all of those who have reached the point in life where they realize that fabled happy ending may not happen but they keep going anyway. The tunes are catchy and the mood is upbeat not angsty, even when things are not going the way the subject of the song may have hoped. These are songs people can identify with which just adds to the enjoyment of listening to them.

I’d have a hard time picking just one favorite track. The first song Full Moon Child draws you and each of the songs that follow tightens the hold on your attention. I Am, You Are is a cometary on how we, as humans, are losing touch with our fellow humans in this busy world. These are songs of love, of regrets, of all the things that make up life. Great writers don’t really show us a light, they show us a mirror and that reflection is what is really enlightening. Ben Glover is one of those writers.

I urge you to go to Ben’s myspace page and listen to his music. You too will become and instant fan. You will be hearing lots more from this singer/songwriter."

Ben Visits Ricky Ross Show - BBC Scotland

Ben recently stopped in and did a live session with Ricky Ross on BBC Scotland. The two met in Belfast a few years back and got to catch up in Nashville last spring over a big southern breakfast. The pair reunited on May 28th in Glasgow on Ricky's "Another Country" programme on Scotland's BBC. Ben performed several songs and caught up on the latest tales from the road with Ricky.

NetRhythms Review

Two years ago, trhe Co Antrim singer-songwriter made his debut with The Week The Clock’s Changed. Reviewing here, I likened him to Steve Earle, Ryan Adams and Springsteen but also noted how one of the tracks reminded me of Steve Forbert.

It’s Forbert who, in terms of phrasing, vocal kinship and easy rolling melodies, is the strongest comparison on this, Glover’s sophomore release. Again recorded in Nashville, this time produced by Neilson Hubbard, it may not have the heavy hitter guests (Gill, Lauderdale, Miller) of its predecessor but the musicians are first class and among the co-writers you’ll find the name of one Mary Gauthier. Their joint effort, the gently humming Full Moon Child, gets the album off to a glittering start, Glover’s dusty voice in fine yearning fettle as he spins the bittersweet story of a part time motel weekend bartender with ‘the same last name as a well known whisky’, living on cheap cigarettes and unfulfilled dreams.

A classic in the making, it’s worth the price alone, but that’s just a taster of what lies ahead. One of the more Forbert-like numbers, Monument Green reveals Glover’s keen ear for a catchy pop melody, Where The Lines Are (from whence the title comes) is a fine example of shuffling Celtic Americana that will again draw David Gray references just as Let It Do What It Does reveals a streak of Van.

If there’s a flaw it’s that, after the fourth track, I Am, You Are, an anthemic piano ballad waiting for the right stadium, the material’s less immediate and more moody. However, that’s not to criticise the quality of numbers like the Mike Scott-styled big music of Grounded, wry love song The Hat or First Chance For Second Lies, a track that wouldn’t sound out of place on a best of Fleetwood Mac.

Besides which, the album ends on as a high a note as it began with Too Late To Leave Her Alone, a seven minute slow waltzer unfolding to guitar, piano and strings backing that evokes star flickering desert night skies and carries you away like a passing comet. The man deserves to be huge. Consider it your duty to help him on the way.

NetRhythms.com
Mike Davies

New Dates Added

Don't forget to check out the new dates added to the "Live" page. Ben is currently in London and from there heads to Scotland, N. England and back to N Ireland and the Republic. Be sure to catch him either at a live show or on the air as he will be doing several radio sessions in the upcoming weeks.

Support Nashville

As many of you know, Ben calls Nashville, TN his second home. He was saddened to see the incredible pictures that came out of Nashville and Middle Tennessee after a historic rainfall last weekend. Floodwaters from many creeks and rivers  inundated literally thousands of homes and businesses. Additionally, the floodwaters from the Cumberland River poured into the downtown and Opryland area flooding the Opryland Hotel, The Grand Ole Opry, The Tennessee Titans stadium, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame. Thousands are still without homes and the rebuilding effort will take years. The people of Nashville have been amazing in helping their neighbors and volunteers are coming out in the thousands to help strangers rebulid what's left. You can help by making a donation to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) or the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org).

Featured Artist on We7

 Ben is one of the featured artists on We7 for the week. Check out we7.com for live streams, downloads and interviews with artists like Ben, Black Eyed Peas, and Band of Horses.

Album of the Month - 5 Star Review

"Northern Irish songwriter Glover headed to Nashville to record this his second album. When I read this I normally know what to expect. An identikit country album that rolls off the production line with session musicians who make every record sound the same. Well I have to apologise to Mr Glover for my misguided pre-conceptions as what he has produced is a rich and warm album full of grown up pop melodies that bring to mind a young Bruce Springsteen. Credit must go to Neilson Hubbard for what is a beautifully produced album.

BMI/ Hit Sheet Showcase London

Ben has been invited to perform at the BMI/ Hit Sheet Magazine Showcase on May 26th in London. The monthly industry showcase takes place at the Cobdon Club and features the best of emerging UK artists. 

Lightning 100 Interview/Performance

Ben and producer Neilson Hubbard recently stopped in WRLT Lightning 100 Studios in Nashville for an interview and live performance with David Hooper. Hooper is the host of the popular radio program "Music Business Radio". Ben and Neilson discussed the making of "Through The Noise, Through The Night" as well as the international music scene. Stay tuned for air dates!

Recap of Trip to the States

Ben has just returned to N Ireland after spending two months in Nashville, TN. While in the States, Ben performed at SXSW in Austin, TX. He spent a great deal of his time writing for his next record, successfully penning 16 new songs. While he wasn't working on his project he was helping fellow artist Kaci Bolls write for her new record as well as play guitar and sing on her new record. Ben did manage to take a bit of time off for a trip to New Orleans, LA where he shot the video for "A Little Less Blue" in the historic French Quarter. He also tried his hand at being a true man of the Bayou by taking a trip into the swamp in Manchac, LA where he was entertained and slightly uneasy with the sightings of 13 alligators.

The Big Easy

Ben is packing his bags for his first trip to New Orleans, LA to shoot the video for his song, "A Little Less Blue". The video, which will be shot in the historic French Quarter, is set to be released in May.

SXSW

Ben's bags are packed and he will be boarding a plane to Austin, TX tomorrow morning for South By Southwest. He will be performing at the "Belfast Unplugged" Showcase on Friday with fellow N Ireland acts Anthony Toner and Eilidh Patterson as well as Austin's Kimmie Rhodes.

Playlisted

Two songs from the new album are currently on the A-Playlists of three leading N.Ireland radio stations. Belfast Citybeat have recently added "Monument Green' to their A-playlist, while Downtown radio have had the same song on their A-list list since mid-January. The song "Where The Lines Are" has been on the BBC Radio Ulster playlist since the beginning of February. Thanks to all the radio stations in NI for their fantastic support!

Through The Noise, Through the Night Released