Ben Dukes

Sep 6, 2014
When it comes to selling out to bro-country, that’s the last thing on Ben Dukes’ mind. A deep, thoughtful songwriter who tends more to sing about emotions rather than parties, his debut album ‘Walkin’ Thru Hell’ detailed just that: ten stories of ups and downs, break-up and loss and plenty of personal experience thrown in there too. It’s important but hardly surprising from an artist who discovered music following the death of his father, an event that has dramatically shaped his worldview, songwriting and thoughts about himself. “There are times in all of our lives when we feel like we’re doing just that – walkin’ thru hell,” Ben explains. “Whether it’s during a breakup, following the death of a family member, or suffering through homelessness. Each of these stories has some element of that… but each one also offers hope. In that, I hope that people come to see the beauty of the struggle in life. We may feel like we’re walkin’ thru hell, but in the end, we emerge ever stronger as a result.”

‘Old Fixer Upper’ is one of the tracks from that much celebrated debut album (as well as being nominated for several awards, it also provided him with two performances on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, appearances at Austin’s South by Southwest festival and features on GAC). Grounded in a twangy, honky-tonkin’, at times southern rock sound, banjo and fiddle lead against hard drums and guitars for a true country song that places a twist on the conventional heartbreak song. It’s pitched from the point of view of a man whose partner left him because he had a lot to fix in his life, resulting in him working diligently on everything that was required and requesting her back in his life. Whether it’s tongue-in-cheek or just a metaphor, this is a quirky, catchy track that really sticks out.

Ben is working on his sophomore album, due next year. Of how it will compare to the mainstream country scene, he said “It ain’t gonna be too much like what’s out there right now… at least, I sure as hell hope not.” Sounds like we’re in good hands. - For The Country Record

July 25, 2013
There are two sides to singer/songwriter Ben Dukes on his latest album, Walkin’ Thru Hell. On “The Lord Knew Me First,” Dukes brings on the testosterone and frat-boy swagger with shameless abandon. “Ain’t a curbside liquor store late-night bar single woman safe in this town,” he boasts. On the other hand, Dukes displays a sensitive side on the title track, capturing the loneliness of a soldier in combat. Then again, much of the record is about battles, not just physical ones but against personal demons and desires.

With his big, deep voice, Dukes was made to front a country-rock band. The music here is produced to commercial perfection; the guitars are crisp and clean, and Dukes’ vocals are in front of the mix. The songs are brimming with indelible hooks, such as the single “Old Fixer Upper.” On this track, Dukes compares renovating a house to his own flaws, aching to repair a broken relationship. For all of his macho veneer, Dukes has a strong, beating heart, a true romantic deep within it all.

“I’ll always want more,” Dukes sings of “Whiskey and Women.” Well, the same can be said of his listeners. A couple shots of these life-affirming anthems can be mighty addictive. Drink moderately if possible. - No Depression

July 8, 2014

Ben Dukes is a country singer-songwriter living in Los Angeles. At the time of writing, he is No. 3 on the ReverbNation country charts for L.A. He discusses how his father's death inspired him to pursue a career in music, and his reaction to being invited to perform on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

AXS: How did your father's death inspire your career in music?

Ben Dukes: My father was a major inspiration for me - and I don’t think I ever realized it as much as I did once he was gone. I’ve heard it said that a man never knows who he is until his father dies, and that seems amazingly accurate in my case. When he died, I was lost. I was hurt, I was confused. I didn’t know what to do. I used the last gift he gave me to go on a retreat with the church, during which we were told to go out and pray for a solid hour. I found that I couldn’t do that. Instead, I wrote a song - "I Can’t Pray’". A friend and I ended up cutting that song, and it was played thousands of times on the internet, and ultimately made its way to GAC. Messages poured in from people who were touched by it, and I began to understand that my true place was in connecting with others through song. My Dad looked after me my entire life, and it was in his death where I finally found what I’m here to do. He always supported me going for my dreams - and so daily I chase what I love doing, always hoping I’m honoring his memory in that pursuit.

AXS: What does it mean to you that "My Old Man" is so well-received by your live audiences?

BD: A good number of people attach themselves to the song “My Old Man”, and it touches me deeply. When I wrote that song, it was 100% heart. I didn’t search for a hook, or a catchy melody or anything of the sort. I just wrote what poured out - and it resonates. That’s an amazing feeling. I think so many people have that struggle with their parents - that they don’t see eye-to-eye and they have that sort of tenuous relationship. But in the end, they also have a great deal of respect for them, and feel like they don’t themselves measure up to the example that’s been set before them. I’ve had people tell me, “this song sums it up perfectly” - and in those moments, I know that I’ve done my job. I’ve given words to the feelings these people have inside. It's an incredibly personal song for me, and one that I feel blessed to share with audiences who appreciate it.

AXS: What was your reaction when you were invited to play on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson?

BD: When I first got the call to play on The Late Late Show, I nearly collapsed. That’s no hyperbole either. I was standing, and had to lean back on a guardrail. It was simply overwhelming. We talked about my dad earlier. He never got to see me truly succeed in this thing I’m chasing. But, he taught me to keep my head down, work hard, stay focused - and in that moment, I felt the culmination of everything he had instilled in me. I had worked hard, I had stayed the course, and someone had noticed. And of course, my head starts going crazy telling me insane things like “This is it. You’ve made it. You’ve hit the big time." The truth is, that show was just the beginning of the ride. Yes, I had been validated, as had the advice of my father, but it was just the first of many big steps on this road. I’ll always appreciate Craig for plucking me out of obscurity. He’s a great guy, a hard worker as well - and he gave this country kid the opportunity of a lifetime. It has literally changed my life.

AXS: What are some things we can expect from you in the near future?

BD: Right now I’m working on a follow-up album to Walkin' Thru Hell. The songs I’m writing right now seem to be bending more and more away from radio - which most people would call crazy, but I call justified. I mean, people who want to hear the kind of music on the radio, they have options - LOTS of them. And a lot of them sound pretty much the same. So why do something like that? Why try to elbow someone away from the table? I’d rather roast my own pig. So, that’s what I’m doing. We have some cool festival appearances coming up this fall - we’ll be at the Party in the Pasture (Indio, CA) in September, and down in San Diego at the Del Sur Country Festival in October. I’ll also be on the road in Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee - definitely a fun fall ahead of us! We just released our version of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried,” but folks can look forward to some more original music from us in the next few months.

AXS: What would you be doing if you weren't making music?

BD: If I had never found music, I probably would have ended up coaching football. A few years back, I started giving serious thought to hanging up my pursuits in entertainment, moving back to the southeast, and coaching ball. I told myself I’d be happy to just play at open mic nights and spend most of my time teaching young men the game that taught me so much in my youth. But, because of what I learned playing that game, I couldn’t walk away from music. I learned to never quit; even when it seems like you’re only gaining an inch at a time, you always have to keep the goal line in sight. So I didn’t turn away - and then I got a call from The Late Late Show. So, to best answer that question, I guess I can say I’m not certain what I’d be doing, other than still trying to make a go of it singing and writing songs. - AXS